Girl Friday

What a lovely day!

2010-09-19T20:56:31Z

George (my husband) politely suggested last night that I should move the pile of stuff that littered the sofa - ready to be packaged `cos I had sold it on E-Bay - in fact he said he was frightened to leave the house when I was sorting out my clothes, in case I wasn`t here when he returned. My reply was `Who would have me?`

Back to the sofa - OK I know it looked a tad untidy but it was a work in progress so far as I was concerned. He sighed patiently and said it should be cleared - even if I dumped it on the spare bed - because we had visitors coming on Sunday and they would have nowhere to sit.

Try as I might I could not wheedle out of him who was coming. He was stum. My mind puzzled over and over - brother- and sister-in-law (they live quite near) - my youngest son and his wife (likely candidates) ooooh my eldest grandson who had said he would pop up to see me (as a chef he works more hours than the rats so that wasn`t likely).

Came Sunday morning I felt a little fragile after a disturbed night (my arthritis has decided it has neglected me for too long and was in full flood during the night - dashing hither and thither over my body chuckling as it went) - decided I would give church a miss - George showered and was dressing to go when the phone rang - he grabbed it and disappeared into the sitting room out of my hearing. Turned out to be his son whose car had broken down on the A1 with all the kit for the youngsters` football team he manages! George, like a good `un set off to rescue him and I sighed and got up to tidy up the sofa, then the bathroom (visitors!) and finally the kitchen. Doing a bit and sitting a bit as is my wont.

At noon the doorbell went - I opened the door to see our friends from Cornwall standing there - we live about 320 miles from them - they had driven up with their caravan to Worcester and decided to come and see us and take us out to lunch. George (of course) had connived with them and knew all about it.

George returned home just after John and Maggie arrived and we set off to our favourite Chinese restaurant that does a fabulous help-yourself Sunday buffet. Wonderful! Photos were taken of George and me to prove to our friends in Cornwall that I am alive and kicking (and looking extraordinarily well).

Isn`t is just great when things like that happen? When people take so much trouble to let you know that you are loved? Aren`t I lucky?

Girl Friday

Makes one think ...

2010-09-15T01:04:25Z

Well just celebrated my 74th birthday. The house looks like a Florists Shop - even had a beautiful bouquet delivered from my eldest grandson who said gruffly when he phoned this morning `I told them I wanted the best, Nan`. Bless him.

Out to dinner with step-daughter and her family - she laid on a superb meal which, thank goodness, I was able to enjoy - mind you it got me up at 1.30am with slight indigestion - hence writing this blog at 2am. Never mind, it was worth it.

One of my cards from an old friend contained a letter. She said she was sorry to hear I had cancer then went on to say that she and her partner had just returned home after a spell staying at The Royal Marsden where her partner`s 41 year old daughter had just died. The daughter`s husband had died two years previously - and they have a 13 year old daughter. Boy that puts it all into perspective for me - I shall think of that young girl when I undergo chemo or any further treatment - indeed I shall hold her in my thoughts a lot.

Makes one think eh?

Girl Friday

Best chin forward ...

2010-09-09T13:23:23Z

Saw the Oncologist for the first time yesterday. She was very nice and we got on well. She thinks another four lymph nodes have been attacked - they are enlarged so I have to have another CT scan within the next two weeks and then back to her to discuss the way forward.

We talked at some length about the various types of chemotherapy - the snags and advantages - I said I would be guided by her.

I went into a sort of daze at home yesterday afternoon - husband was out so I mulled it all over alone. I must admit I don`t relish the thought of more surgery (only 5 weeks since the last session) as, although I don`t mind being chopped about, the anaesthetic is a problem with my asthma (apparently my lung collapsed and I ended up on a ventilator last time!) I knew that anaesthetic was a risk - probably far more likely to kill me than the cancer! So lets hope the enlarged nodes can be zapped by chemotherapy.

Anyway husband came home, realised I was brooding and sat down and we talked it all over. His common sense lightened my mood and today I feel back to my usual optimistic self.`

Just opened my 42nd `Get Well ` card - what with our 5th Wedding Anniversary last week and my birthday on the 14th I think I shall open a second-hand card shop - now there`s an idea eh?

Girl Friday

What a life!

2010-09-06T20:31:10Z

Well this year has whizzed by. Despite feeling quite yucky I have managed to keep my art demonstration schedule, spend two weeks holiday in Malta and lead a party of 12 artist friends on a painting trip to France (we won`t mention to rude ditty written by my friends to the tune of `Oh dear what can the matter be?`

Anyway ultrasound scan, followed by colonoscopy (he didn`t see my best side - honest!) and CT scans lead to a swift admission to hospital 5 weeks ago and a right hemi-whateveritiscalled. The care I have received under the National Health has been splendid and as for the hospital and nurses, doctors and all staff - well I am so very grateful.

Yes, the surgeon was right, I did begin to feel better after 4 weeks - still have `off` days (today is one of them) but with the care of my wonderful husband and love and prayers of family and friends I know each day things will get better.

Mmm, due to see the Oncologist for the first time on Wednesday. Not too sure about chemotherapy - read all I can about it so I will have lots of questions to ask. Must admit I don`t relish the side effects but ...

I have read some of your stories and think this site will be a great help - somewhere I can have the odd whinge (if need be) and share with people who really understand.

Girl Friday