We have discovered that there actually some quite practical advantages to Sue being somewhat 'incapacitated'. They in no way offset the disadvantages but, hey, we will take what we can get and enjoy the special treatment that is offered!  

National Disabled Parking permits are awesome! One could become quite accustomed to privileged parking, though on Sue's better days I tell her to try and look a bit less 'able' as she alights the vehicle. On her more challenging days there is no embarrassment at all.

We had a wonderful experience with Qantas too. We had flagged Sue's booking as 'needing assistance'. From the moment of checking in we were accorded VIP status (sort of) and they couldn't do enough for us. The staff offered all manner of options for boarding including a wheelchair. In the end we opted to be boarded early but with Sue walking to the plane using her 'walker' which they had already luggage-tagged. They took the walker away at the door and stored it in the hold, doing the reverse on arrival in Adelaide. All very efficient and civilized!

Pre-boarding we had ample time to get together again with our kids and enjoy some last minute 'hanging out'. Gee, they are lovely young people and a joy to spend time with -- I am just telling it like it is, we are not bragging or taking any credit!!

As you can see below, we had the cabin completely to ourselves for about 10 minutes which was a bit of fun. We imagined that we were either 'royalty' or 'dangerous criminals' - the only categories of people that we could imagine that might get a whole plane to themselves!!

We were fawned over, at least until the rest of the 'plebs' boarded, and even got a personalized safety briefing. Unfortunately it was delivered in an 'overly caring' tone as if we were either naive, slightly stupid or to be pitied - all unintentional I am sure!!

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As has been indicated in previous posts, the medical and para-medical care and support we are getting is impeccable and (we now recognise) unexpected. Nothing seems to be too much trouble, including all the referrals and arrangements necessary to put protections in place while we are interstate. All this has been done, not only with good grace, but will apparent willingness and joy.  We had a medical hiccup early hours of Wednesday morning that left us anticipating the need to cancel the 'tour'.  By Wednesday evening we had had multiple contacts (mostly email and phone) with two palliative care doctors, a nurse clinician, a pharmacist and extraneous others - and were back on track with adjusted medications etc. It was actually quite breath-taking as well as humbling. I could go on, but you get the idea I am sure. We are lucky/privileged people in a lucky/privileged country.....

The next post will be the last in the  catch-up series. I will then cease to bombard you and return things to a more sedate pace.

[Look out for - The Week That Was #5: All in the Family]