Carolling in hospital, not counting the hours...

I've just been back to Catherine's ward from last week - carolling with the band! It was very strange going there and knowing everything that goes on, but only going there to sing! We actually sang a whole rendition of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Away in a Manger on the exact spot where she was taken in with her fever last week. Bizarre!

I remember the strange mixture of boredom and stress on the wards and thought how welcome it was to have some people come and sing to us when we were there last week. Carolling was very worthwhile. I felt privileged to be in the oncology and children's wards, and being a bit more experienced in these things than I used to be, I didn't feel at all awkward. It was very weird - almost like being at a home-from-home!

When Catherine found out that mummy was going out earlier, she wanted to come with me. However, when she realised I was going to her hospital to sing she said 'no thanks, mummy. I stay here with daddy!?!?'

Catherine is doing well and there are no more signs of infection. She has been off school all week and is quite happy and contented to play with her mum all day, although soon we will run out of craft equipment!!!

I was talking with Mark last night about Catherine and her treatment, and we agree that, whilst we are pleased that everything is going well and whilst we are confident about the future, Catherine's illness can actually be quite emotionally draining. Its like a little gnawing pressure in the back of your mind, having to remember all the medicines and treatments. It is also difficult to love someone and see them go through all this treatment. It was good yesterday for us both to be able to have a few minutes to talk things through and we both feel better for it.