Shine On, You Crazy Diamond

Yes, it's a repeat lyric, seeming appropriate right now.

Alexander tonight, a careers evening (excellent, 12 passionate parents talking about their extremely varied career paths to a hall full of engaged students and parents).

Sophie and Alex together earlier with Wallace (you've heard of him) and Gro... I mean, Anthony, the palliative care Dr, in a side room at the hospital. Very caring professionals, very quiet children, but such news takes its own time to be processed.
We've made a start.

Grand Central Station today on the ward today, but a very friendly and caring one - then Gerald was moved into a super-deluxe own room with lazyboy, TV and private shower tonight. So this is how taxpayers' money gets spent! One of the better ways, perhaps ...

But the real changes of the day - as follows:
1. Gerald feeling FAR better with the naso-gastric tube down, with the stomach-emptying happening, and (first food for more than 5 days) 2 lemonade iceblocks this afternoon. No adverse affects yet.

2. A visit by the surgical consultant: a definite decision by the surgical team that no operation is possible, on 2 bases: firstly, Gerald's general state of health is not conducive to a "nipples-to-knees" operation, as it was described; secondly it would be like spraying gasoline on a fire to muck around amidst those determinedly metastasizing cells.

3. The understanding that if we can work good magic and get this blockage to resolve itself, more of the same is likely, that the subcut needle may be a permanent feature, and we will have a new normal.

4. Discussion on the same basis as above i.e. given some eventual successful drinking and eating - one scenario would be about 5 or 7 days more in hospital, with a transition between hospital and home, perhaps a hospice sojourn to stabilize and build strength ready for some home stay.

5. Awareness-raising (by us): the medical staff are now aware that their jobs include ensuring Gerald is able to get to the Cat/Yusuf concert with Andy on June 29th Vector Arena, and equally able to take me to Le Tabou's La Tour de Provence (Wine Maker's Dinner) on 7th July. Truly vital life-enhancing events - actually not so much, in the scheme of things, but worthy stretch targets nevertheless.

4 degrees and more warm sunshine in store, unless something different happens.

L