We were talking about how different people we knew coped with
cancer. My mum had breast cancer but was also severely disabled with
rheumatoid arthritis and she never mentioned the cancer at all, almost
pretending she didn't have it. Col's Mum had breast cancer which later
spread. She was in hospital several times over the years and we heard
every detail of every operation. Each time Col's Dad came back from
visiting hospital he would spend a couple of hours on the phone ringing
everyone to tell them the latest news. After Col's first chemo session
his Dad rang to find out how he was and spoke to Col. But then he phoned
again just a couple of days later, when Col wasn't here and I had
difficulty telling him that Col was the same as he had been two days
earlier and there just wasn't anything more I could say. I really hate
having to go into all the details of illness. Tell people it's cancer, a
bit frightening and worrying, yes, but then get on with coping with it.
I'm not good on the phone unless it's a business call so if I answer
the phone and it's someone wanting to know how he is I pass the phone
over to him! I may even avoid answering the phone when he's not here! I
asked him how he thought his way of coping was and he said "probably
grin and bear it and moan a bit!" I don't know if this will change as we progress through.
I'll miss this when we move.
It works a treat over the Rayburn to finish getting things dry on short winter days. In the bungalow we will be gas and electric. We will miss our Rayburn and wood-burner but after doing all the wood hauling, fire cleaning and laying, by myself, for the last couple of months maybe I won't miss them as much as I thought!
Thank you for all the comments yesterday. Only John at Going Gently could have left the comment he did! Honestly that man has a 8 year old's toilet humour!
Back Tomorrow
Sue
