Post 455: My shoulder is great thanks to rest.
At twenty to eleven I thought I’d better ask My Darling if she was touching base with her mates down at Slimming World, so I stood at the bedroom door and called to her.
I shouldn’t have done that because she hurled herself awkwardly off her leg pillows and screamed a few times before I could make her aware that, if she was going to Slimming World, she’d better get herself together - and quickly.
That was a very unusual way to start the day, but there you have it.
I drove into town and dropped her off on my way to the supermarket for a few essentials.
As it happened, I’m getting better at shopping, especially now that My Darling and I share a shopping list on our phones. Either of us can add to it (or subtract from it while shopping), and because it updates live we always know exactly what’s needed.
As I pushed a small trolley around the shop, I opened the app and looked at the list.
Prosecco at the top…
“I love you” at the bottom…
…with all manner of fruit in between.
I had to laugh at the fizz but completely melted at the little message of love.
I made my way down the fruit and veg aisle to the meat and fish counter, where there were five varieties of salmon.
Very impressive.
By the time I was served, I’d made my mind up and asked for two slightly smoked slices and two unsmoked.
I didn’t really care what the price was, so I didn’t look until later, when I discovered the four pieces had cost £23.50.
I couldn’t wait to taste them.
Which we did at dinner.
Mmmmmmmmmmm!
Slightly smoked salmon with wild and brown speciality rice.
What a sensation.
During the day my thoughts drifted several times towards how my daughter-in-law was doing.
None more so than when I received a call while standing in the freezer aisle of the supermarket.
The call was from our eldest son’s “Mum up North” - our dear friends who have become wonderfully supportive of our children and are always there to help if needed.
During the conversation came the lovely news of an accidental meeting in the street with my daughter-in-law’s own mum and dad.
Are you keeping up?
No?
Ah…
Our friends, who moved to Wigton twenty years ago and escaped us southerners and our rat race, have become “Mum and Dad up North” to our children.
Meanwhile, my daughter-in-law’s own mum and dad had travelled up to visit for a few days.
Quite by chance they bumped into “Mum up North”, whom they already knew by reputation.
It was only a brief meeting, but a happy one.
————
So, our lovely daughter-in-law was able to tell her own mum and dad face to face about her health this weekend.
Now that everyone who needed to know has been told personally, I can finally mention it here.
My daughter-in-law has Follicular Lymphoma and, because it has been caught early - and because she’s not yet thirty - it is under control and being carefully monitored and treated in a timely way.
Back in Post 445: Special. You are special., I explained the situation without identifying who it was.
Now everyone who needed to hear the news face to face has done so.
So there have been big hugs all round this weekend up north.
Especially from the mums.
This is still very new to us, but the medical outlook and her age mean that the situation is very much under control.
————
Being so far away is hard, but My Darling and I know how well she’s handling everything.
She’s growing into a wonderfully independent and strong young lady who has this sorted.
No mistake.
I know you’re likely to read this, daughter of mine, and I hope you know we will do absolutely anything to help if ever you need us.
We are always here.
Love you.
xx
————
Oh dear…
That’s set me off.
Can I have a minute?
————
We now have two daughters-in-law.
One expecting a baby…
One living with cancer.
How amazingly surprising and perplexing life can be…
Goodnight.
Take care.
xx
