Day 19, a big Australia Day

Rosie enjoyed all her lasts this morning, starting with her last bowl of All Bran for breakfast.



She requested a new hairdo for the real world after the daily brush. She could put hair over her op site since nobody was interested in the top of her head anymore - actually, nobody's been interested in it for more than a week.




She wanted a last walk around the two floors of wards, her daily promenade route.










On the way back to her room, we bumped into Michael. We hadn't seen him during weekends and weren't expecting a visit. It was a nice chance to wrap up with him. We'll probably be communicating about Gamma Knife within a week.



Jo came to help gather all our stuff and pick up the suitcases from the Travelodge. Finally, Rosie was able to fulfill her 3 week dream of being able to cross the road and escape the hospital boundary to freedom!



We arrived at Jamie's Italian at 11:30 when they open so we could be seated straight away without a wait.







Jo had had a quiet word with somebody about a special guest who was a keen young cook and when we were seated, the manager showed up and invited Rosie to go and talk to Lizzie, the antipasto chef. Lizzie was a sweetheart and enthusiastically explained how things work to Rosie.








Then she brought over a small complimentary platter for Rosie and explained each ingredient for us all.


We ordered a big selection of antipasto hot treats, a couple of the antipasto planks, a few mains and three desserts, all to share between our party of ten.




The ten were Jo and Sandro, Sarah and her husband, Len, Ruth and little Elizabeth, Alex, Rosalind Horton, Rosie and me


On the way out, Rosie and I paused to observe the main kitchen from upstairs where we were seated. The food was really delicious and very reasonably priced. Nice one, Jamie - we'll be back.




It was like all her Christmases coming at once when Jo asked Rosie if she would like to visit the Gorman outlet. For the uninitiated, Gorman is a classy modern label, usually quite expensive, that happens to be favoured by both the Costantino and Watt girls. We attend their sales in Melbourne and Rosie buys some stuff on eBay but this outlet was fabulous - incredible markdowns for imperceptible flaws eg a clasp that needs sewing on again or no flaws at all. Rosie got a great haul and even Jessye and Sophie scored a couple of pieces.



We spent half an hour or so back at Jo and Sandro's redistributing weight through our various suitcases and carry-on bags. Rosie, who isn't allowed to get her head wet for another two weeks yet, at least put her feet in the pool.


Jo and Sandro helped tape the back of our two finished puzzles which will be framed as souvenirs.



Jo, Alex, Ruth and Elizabeth took us to the airport, we relaxed in the Virgin lounge, didn't hear any boarding announcements and finally got personal invitations to board as we were walking to the farthest gate. Peter, Sophie and the Ohashi family were there to meet us.



Hiroko, Jun and Mana Ohashi brought flowers and offered to take the luggage home for us so we could just focus on getting Rosie home safely. She is fine and perfectly safe walking but I can't help but hover nearby and walk below her on stairs just in case. Hopefully, the transition to giving her more space and not being overly protective will happen naturally before she gets too annoyed with me!


Rosie was really pleased to see Chelsea at the front door and when Barney and Fred were let in, they were really excited to see her.



The Ohashis with all our luggage arrived shortly after us bringing salmon sushi, prawn risotto, lovely fresh fruit salad and some sweet treats with a very touching card in which they had all written to Rosie, even my former student, Kana, via Iphone from Manchester! We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends.



The table looks amazing with a dramatic flower arrangement from Russell (my 2nd cousin) and Barb Cooper along with the delicate pale pink bunch from the Ohashis tonight and the beautiful box from the North Fitzroy Primary gang which we brought home with us.


Now that we're home I may cut back on the pace of blogging and give Rosie a break from my annoying camera in her face. I'll still update with medical news and other items of interest, though. Thank you all for your messages of support to Rosie and to me - you have really made a difference and have helped to keep us buoyant through it all so far.