Saturday, November 13, 2010

Three reasons to be cheerful

Today Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese opposition politician has been released from house arrest after 15 years. She was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1991 and is known to her followers as The Lady

Despite being the democratically elected leader of the country, Burma's military junta have kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for over a decade. She will still be reluctant to travel for fear of being permanently exiled from her country but this is a step in the right direction.

Last week we saw our jolly surgeon and – DV - we don’t have to see him again until next April when he will do another scan and examination. He thought the patient was looking well and admired his almost invisible scar. He asked how we were coping with the chemo and I mentioned the surgery was easier to deal with because it was straight forward; Chemo is more complicated and with possible side effects I felt I was watching MTL like a hawk. He reassured me and said nothing would happen in a hurry and he is being monitored throughout. We thanked him for all he has done and he said it was ‘an absolute pleasure.’

Finally yesterday I got a sturdy parcel from America from my dear friend Charlie.

It is a beautiful book This Time Together – Carol Burnett’s autobiography. Charlie inscribed it: For Pat – A Storyteller’s Book for A Wonderful Storyteller.

Isn’t that a lovely gift? I have been meaning to read it since Naomi wrote about it some time ago. So I think you’ll agree I have reasons to be cheerful and I hope all of you have also.

22 comments:

kenju said...

I do, indeed, and I am glad to know that you do too.

Such a nice gift! Carol Burnett has always been one of my top favorite performers.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

And when you start reading, you'll feel as if every page is a good reason :-)

Please tell the patient we send good cheer from the tropics - fresh coconut water in tall glasses. Cheers!

Kim Ayres said...

All good reasons :)

Pat said...

Judy: I remember her doing a TV show with Julie Andrews - way back.

GG: I'm starting tonight - my special treat.
Thank you for the cheer and the delicious drink.

Kim: glad you agree;)

angryparsnip said...

Good news
Good book
Good reasons to be cheerful...

cheers, parsnip

Pat said...

Parsnip: thank you. Time I popped over to see you.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Good News on ALL fronts, Pat....Wonderful to read that your Surgeon said "It was a pleasure...How often does any doctor say that to anyone....!
I hope the Chemo's side effects are minimal, my dear....

And how sweet of Charlie to send you Carol Burnett's book....I think you will enjoy it--it is an easy read and it's a book you can pick up and put down because a lot of it in Chapters that are self-containe!

And we both deserve A Big Brabo for stopping smoking...! CONGRATS to you, my dear!

Queenie said...

Excellent reasons to be cheerful - I'm very glad everything's going so well. I too have many blessings to count.

Pat said...

Naomi: I am already engrossed in Carol's book and it is my nightly treat to send me off to sleep thinking pleasant thoughts.
Yes I'm glad I stopped when I did and eventually managed to get MTL off it although he dabbled with cigarillos and snuff (yuck)along the way.

Queenie: I'm delighted to hear it:)
I feel there is a dearth of good news.

Madame DeFarge said...

These are three good things, although I like the middle one best :)

Mage said...

Wonderful news. Thank you. And how nice of Charlie for thinking about you. :) I'm so glad things are progressing.

Pat said...

Madame D: I have to agree with you;)

Maggie: yes I consider myself very lucky and now even more good news; the middle aged couple - the Chandlers - who were kidnapped 600 miles from the Somalian coast have been release after a year of ill treatment - to say the least.
They had done nothing wrong and behaved in a responsible fashion and didn't deserve such treatment.
I didn't know them but they cam e from Tunbridge Wells where my children were brought up.

Granny Annie said...

Thank you Pat. Your post has me counting my blessings today.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: we all should do it more often.

Mary Witzl said...

Aung San Suu Kyi getting released was as wonderful as the miners in Chile being rescued, and that British couple freed by the Somali pirates. (I feel so sorry for the Somalians who donated money towards their release only to have it get appropriated by 'middlemen'.)

All we can do is hope that things move forward in the most positive way. And bear it if and when they don't.

Pat said...

Mary: it was heartening to know that the Somalian people were trying to right the wrongs of their kidnappers.

mapstew said...

'Reasons To Be Cheerful, 1, 2, 3!'

Ian Dury.

:¬)

xxx

Pat said...

Mapstew: yes I've always liked it:)

Leigh Russell said...

How wonderful that the news is so good on a global and a personal front.

Pat said...

Leigh: rare times indeed.

AndrewM said...

What Mapstew said...

Summer, Buddy Holly, the working folly
Good golly Miss Molly and boats
Hammersmith Palais, the Bolshoi Ballet
Jump back in the alley and nanny goats

18-wheeler Scammels, Domenecker camels
All other mammals plus equal votes
Seeing Piccadilly, Fanny Smith and Willy
Being rather silly, and porridge oats

A bit of grin and bear it, a bit of come and share it
You're welcome, we can spare it - yellow socks
Too short to be haughty, too nutty to be naughty
Going on 40 - no electric shocks

The juice of the carrot, the smile of the parrot
A little drop of claret - anything that rocks
Elvis and Scotty, days when I ain't spotty,
Sitting on the potty - curing smallpox

Look out Ian Dury and the Blockheads on youtube 'Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3'

Pat said...

AndrewM: I knew the song. Just didn't know all the words!