Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Another year bites the dust.

It was quite painless really. We have eaten less wisely than usual, OD’d on TV Dickens and ‘Stately Piles’ goings on and been guilty of much sloth. If there us a single person to whom I haven’t wished a Happy New Year I do it now – for the last time till next year. I always see Christmas and New Year as the end of a road and then there is a sharp left hand bend and we’re off in a new direction.

What’s gong on with the water levels? People in Ireland with no water at all and people in Queensland Australia with life threatening floods and another earth quake in the north of England. I hope the balance is restored soon and no more lives lost.

Hats off to Jennifer Saunders of ‘Absolutely Fabulous‘. On a radio programme with her comedy partner Dawn French she was bubbling with infectious mirth whilst on the long road to recovery after breast cancer. She told us she had a line in her body through which the chemo is given and that the line is removed in March. Hopefully MTL’s chemo stops mid April after his 8th session so I have a glimmer of what she feels. There were many newspaper reports of how ‘Jennifer has won her battle with cancer.’ But her husband Ade Edmondson told Rebecca Hardy this:

So, there is no battle. I hate the word battle. You just get battered with a load of drugs. People want the words “trauma”, “battle” and ” life-changing”, but it’s not a great three-part TV drama full of moments, it’s a long grind, like a slow car crash that will last five years and then, hopefully, we’ll get out.’

Every case is different and everyone had their own way of coping but I agree with the ‘long grind’ bit

We are going to be busy; the Australian branch of the family come next week, later the Hertfordshire branch, then the Warminster lot, followed by all the French taking us up to March and the Norfolk visit. That should make the time pass.

The sun is peeking out. Maybe we will go out for a meal tonight – we have an anniversary on Wednesday but the nurse comes for blood, so tonight could be the night.

23 comments:

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Yay, you're here! Lovely to see you again, my friend. [Why's that Moody Blues song playing in my head?] The blog-world was feeling a bit stale without you, Pat. [I always tell my mother, everybody loves Pat].

Happy 2011 to you, YTL and everyone reading, mwah mwah.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about about the unwise food and time spent in front of the TV. You deserve it, I think.

Cheers,

Pat said...

Gg: if anyone can lift my spirits you can. Thank you honey.

Randall: thank you Randall and I hope you have had a well earned rest.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

I believe that the sun peeking out is a damn good metaphor for 2011, don't you? Was that intentional?! Clever girl.

Ms Scarlet said...

A happy healthy New Year to you, Pat.
I always felt that Ade Edmondson had his head screwed on.
Sx

Pat said...

UB: maybe sub conscious intentional:)

Scarlet: and to you Scarlet.
Although his antics with Rik in earlier days one may have wondered, but he's certainly matured into a good egg. He's been well brought by by his daughters I suspect.

Queenie said...

I heard part of that Jennifer and Dawn programme too, it made me laugh. Lovely that you have so many visits to look forward to.

angryparsnip said...

You will be very busy with all the visits. How absolutely wonderful. Much to look forward too.

cheers, parsnips

lom said...

It is a long hard road, but at one step at a time and you will soon cover a mile.

All the best for the new year
X

Pat said...

Queenie: I think they have another two programmes together. Must try to catch them.

Parsnip: thank goodness I have some help now.

LOM: Thank you. I know you are right.

Ponita in Real Life said...

May that sharp turn in the road be towards brighter days.

Wishing you and your lovely man a Happy Anniversary slightly in advance!

savannah said...

your tag says it all, sugar! another chance to get it right much love to you and YTL. i am so glad and proud to count you as a friend, darling! xoxoxoxo

Pat said...

Ponita: thank you - we'll be celebrating slightly in advance;)

Savannah: wish you were here and I could give you a grateful hug.xoxoxox

Macy said...

What IS it with the whole "battle with cancer" schtick? Nobody has to battle through childbirth or malaria do they? Anyone battled the flu recently?
No. thought not.EVERYONE takes drugs and hangs on in there...

Pat said...

Macy: so well said:)

Eryl said...

Sounds like you're in for a busy, but fun for the most part, time. Thank goodness you stocked up on energy over the festive season.

Mage said...

Just take it easy into this new year.

My friend Mikey is undergoing waves of chemo lung cancer that has spread everywhere. They think they can get him a year or two more....and sometimes that's all you get.

I know your hubbie will be fine. I hope the presenter will be too.

Pat said...

Eryl: hopefully some of the grand-children's energy will brush off on me.

Pat said...

Maggie: I hope for the best for Mikey too.

Kim Ayres said...

"Stately Piles"?

What posh people get if they don't eat enough roughage?

OldLady Of The Hills said...

CONGRATULATIONS my dear Pat, on both ANNIVERSARIES....AND BRAVA AND BRAVO to you and your very dear MTL....I pray the 'grind' will move as quickly as possible....!
And it sounds like with so much family coming to visit, there will be much fun and frivolity...And warm Hugs, too! THAT Is The Best Part!

rashbre said...

It sounds as if you need traffic control around at your place with all the upcoming visitors.

Pat said...

Naomi: I missed your comment. Now we are gearing ourselves for the onslaught of visitors and hoping the weather will be kind. I think we'd better lie low this week- end.

Rashbre: imagine if they all came at once!