D for Day Out at Mushroom Murder Book Talk

lindamaycurry

We didn’t go to Aqua Fit because I was waiting for the phonecall.

It was almost 10.30 am before the landline phone rang. That was a surprise because we hardly ever use it. My appointment was for 3.30 this afternoon.

We decided to park in the hospital car park.  After negotiating our way around we found and crossed the footbridge and entered the hospital. I was thankful for my constant chauffeur, John, as I was in no state to remember where we parked. I was given three pages of forms to fill in and was still working on them when the Registrar appeared.  He was very friendly and talked me through everything, asking lots of questions.  He didn’t think I had Multiple Myeloma so I’m not sure whether to be pleased or not.  He still thinks there is a primary cancer that hasn’t been found yet.  In the next couple of days I will have a PET scan, a breast scan and another blood test.

With the PET scan they inject me with a radioactive glucose and then I have to lie down for an hour , after which I will have a half hour scan, rest fifteen minutes and go home.  It will be November 3 before I get any results.

I only spoke to the Medical Oncologist for a short time at the end of the visit. I can expect to hear from the Private Hospital in the next day or so regarding the PET scan.  I will have to order the breast and blood test myself, both being at the Public Hospital.

Next day we squeezed in a day out in the Southern Highlands to attend a book launch but it was not free of drama.

As we drove up the mountain I was on the phone, booking appointments. They are as follows.

Wednesday 22

PET Scan 11 pm. Fast 6 hours. Wollongong Private Hospital Level 7 Suite 705. Time 2 hours.

Thursday 23

Blood test Wollongong Hospital. Any time.

Friday 24

Ultrasound of one of the enlarged lymph nodes 11.30 am Wollongong Private Hospital, Dr Glenn and Partners Medical Imaging.

Tuesday 28

ISMI Medical Imaging breast USD and MMG Wollongong Hospital 9 o’clock.

A day in the Highlands was just what I needed.  The trees were covered in pale new leaves heralding the spring and the sun shone brightly on the grassy paddocks. We sat in the courtyard of an old sandstone building in Berrima, drank coffee and ate cake. I savoured the moment with renewed appreciation.

Heading for the Stables

I had bought tickets previously for a talk by Greg Haddrick on his new book, “Mushroom Murders”.  It was to be held at The Stables, a reception centre on the Bendooley Estate near Berrima.

If you missed the court case—which was covered internationally—here’s a brief summary.   In July 2023, Erin Patterson, a 48-year-old mother of two, served Beef Wellington containing deadly death cap mushrooms to guests, including her ex-husband’s parents, killing three and injuring a fourth. In September 2025 she was sentenced to life in prison with a 33 year non-parole period.

Interior of The Stables

The talk by the author (Greg Haddrick) gave us just enough information to want to buy  the book.  John took it over to be signed and we have now both read the first three chapters and are keen to get started on the court case.  I will take it with me tomorrow as I will be lying on a recliner for an hour before the scan. The question we are all asking is, why did she do it?

Anything to take my mind off the more pressing issue, what is the matter with me?

16 thoughts on “D for Day Out at Mushroom Murder Book Talk”

  1. How stressful it must have been having those appointments spread out over several days. The waits must have been horrendous. As for the Mushroom Murders I enjoyed Greg Haddrick’s book. I also read Helen Garner’s The Mushroom Tapes for a different Perspective. (Borrowed both on Libby)

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  3. Interesting about the mushroom murders. I’m not sure it made the news here in Canada. The last few years, the only things that seems to are Trump, tariffs, mass-shootings, and war. Glad you had a respite. I’m impressed by how quickly you got all thoses tests booked.

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  6. All that time on testing! That has to be just agonizing, though generally not painful.

    I vaguely recall the murder, but don’t know anything beyond what you said here. Did you enjoy the book through the end?

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    1. I found it vaguely unsatisfying because I still wasn’t sure why she did it. She was well off financially, had a beautiful home and two children. Her relationship with her husband was off and on. I think she had a few differences with the in-laws over religion and she changed the children’s’ schools. Then she made up a story that she was dying from cancer and having a fancy meal to fill the family in on the sad news. I have yet to read the other book but will eventually once I have ploughed through my BorrowBox pile and of course all the A to Zs this month.

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  9. Just struck by the focus and effort it takes to line up all those different appointments and keep them straight and in order. And then to take a ride into the hills and to attend a book launch. And to maintain such presence of mind through it all. xxo J

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