Just until the End

28.5.15:
Went into he hospital for 10h30 with Carmen who stayed until the kids arrived at 2pm. We stayed with Christian and were able to make the most of one or two moments of lucidity. One very precious one was when I said to him "donne-moi tes microbes" and he turned his face towards me and puckered up his lips for a kiss. As the time wore on, the adreneline was reduced and the morphine increased; Christian slipped gently from us at 12.45am.

27.5.15:
The worse day so far and it's clear that there's worse to come. The specialist phoned and said Christian wasn't able to cope without the dialysis and I could  come in early to be with him. Went in with Carmen who was a great support. Saw the doctor who is the most caring, patient person and we telephoned to Christian to alert him to the need to come and see P.apa. Christian in and out consciousness. Came home feeling exhausted but some how managed to water the plants, prepare three bedrooms and a meal in readiness for Valérie, Christophe and Frank who are driving down tomorrow.
Weather:
23° Sun, clound some wind

26.5.15:
Woke early with cramp in both legs which thankfully soon passed and I was able to get back to sleep. Into the clinic with Thérèse; Christian looking frail. Came back home on the bus to within 3km of the village where Linde was due to pick me up. She'd forgotten!
Thérèse and Françoise called in after their hike in the mountains to make sure that I was taking care of myself. They left reassured and I got ready to meet David, Laura and Martine for a chinese meal. Shame it as too windy  to sit out on the terrace.
Weather:
23° Sun, cloud, wind

25.5.15:
Woke at 5am. Linde called around with some flowers but didn't stay long. It's Whit Monday and therefore a public holiday here and once again Anne took me in to see Christian. Had a late tapas meal chez Michel along with Claude and Françoise, Henri and Chantal. Feeling tired, I left as soon as dessert was over.
Weather:
22° Sun and wind

24.5.15:
Early call from Véro to say that she'd taken Christian's son Stephane to the local hospital and he was to be moved to Toulouse as there was something pretty nasty on a lung and his brain. It never rains ...
Coffee at the bar with Martine after she came out from church to try and take my mind of things.
No buses today, this being Sunday so Anne G took me to the clinic for my hour's visit. Christian didn't wake the whole time. Not easy, knowing in my heart of hearts that he's unlikely to get any better.
Weather:
23° Sun and wind

23.5.15:
Went to the market for a bit of normality. Didn't need to buy peas and beans as Geneviève had given me some fresh that morning from her garden. Met up with Jean then Martine and Carmen for a coffee before going to the clinic with Jean-Jacques. Christian a little better though still confused. He thought the taxi had been ordered and he was going home. Took the bus back and went to Michèle and Henri's for tea but it was soon clear that dinner had also been prepared so it was 9pm by the time I arrived home.
Weather:
21° Sun, cloud, wind and feeling cooler

22.5.15:
Philippe had a meeting in Perpignan so we went together to see Christian. Only one person at a time could go in to see him. He was looking so small in the bed all hooked up with tubes and the dialysis machine pumping away. He was too tired to say anything much, There was nowhere to sit so the alloted hour passed very slowly. Breaks my heart to see him so unlike himself. While Philippe and Jordi attended the meeting, Paula and I had a coffee and wander around the town.
Came home and went up to André and Nany's for an apéritif. Michèle and Henri had phoned to invite me to have dinner with them at the village restaurant but they ended coming for the apéro instead.
Weather:
20° Sun, wind and cloud