Thu the 30th of Apr – Queens Day

Happy Queens Day! We’re missing it this year. I’m not too bothered. We’ve had our share of Drunken Orange Days and there will be many more to come. Mar has strong views on the subject. After all, she’s not a Monarchist but a Republican (in the literal not political sense). The Monarchy should be abolished. If royalty wants to be recognized, they should just go to parties and prance around waving their titles. In fact, we should all be able to do that. After some consideration, she’d want to be a Duchess. In spite of her sarcasm, I do sense some regret at not being able to share these opinions while celebrating with her friends….NEXT YEAR MARA!

Dad left very early this morning to Turin. He needs to take care of some medical and insurance business. He frets about leaving us behind. He constantly worries. Do we have enough money? What will we eat? How will we get around without him? What if there’s an emergency? Who will we call? To him, we are and always will be the "bambine" (little girls). Being accustomed to it, we generally respond by rolling our eyes and teasing him in a playful daughterly way. Although….with him gone, I realize his presence really soothes and reassures me….I miss my Daddy!!!!

On the train, he sends us a text: “ Tutto (everything) according to plan?” I respond: “Tutto according to A Plan”. It’s true. The Master Plan keeps changing. Yesterday we found out the Biopsy results show that the Leukemic blasts in Mar’s body are spreading very fast. They would therefore rather anticipate by admitting Mar to the hospital today and not wait for Dad’s results as was originally intended.

Since Monday, Mar has been subjected to countless medical checks. She is getting fed up with all the waiting. And there’s a lot of waiting. Every morning she’s expected at 8.30am and every morning she waits for at least 30 min to an hour before anyone calls her name. She is handed her dossier and is then sent to find her own way through the hospital maize to the right department. She’s a quick learner and as the week progresses, she presents herself later and later in the morning. It’s no longer about what exams she’s taking but about how long she’s been waiting. “Look Paul” She points to a waiting area “That’s where I waited for over 40 minutes”. We still haven’t quite understood how this system works.

I fear this morning will be no different. They will insert a catheter in her upper chest area and she will receive blood platelets. The nurse is incapable to tell us how long it will take. And so the wait begins.

Later today Richard and Hege are coming!!!!!! Hurraaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I can’t wait. I think we can both use some reinforcement and catch up on our “Other World”.

Since I am not allowed in with Mar, I leave to do some household chores in anticipation of our eagerly awaited Guests. After that, I reward myself with my growing obsession: Updating The Blog.