Friday, September 30, 2011

Flowers and things

The lovely flowers that the bride and groom gave me at the wedding are still reasonably fresh.


Bits of Daughter 2's bouquet are still blooming, amazingly enough.



But it's been a bad couple of weeks - missing Daughter 2 so much but also worrying about my mother, who's been diagnosed with cancer. I didn't blog about this before in case Daughter 2, on her honeymoon, read this. Mum will have an operation the week after next to remove part of her bowel, a serious procedure for anyone but especially an 89-year-old.




It's been a beautiful week of Indian summer and the pair of us went to the Botanics. Mum is being very stoical but clearly expects the worst.



The nerines were stunning.



Son dropped in yesterday afternoon to accompany us to hear what the surgeon's going to do.
It doesn't sound fun. The procedures leading up to this point haven't been fun for Mum either. We've spent a long time in various hospital departments.




Son and I went for a walk in the park. It was very sunny.




Mum is going to move in with us on Sunday even though her flat isn't yet sold.












54 comments:

  1. Oh no! I am so, so sorry to hear that. I do hope that everything will go as smoothly as can be expected for your mother. Thinking of you and yours!

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  2. Oh I am so sorry to hear about your Mum - I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you all. I will be thinking of you all, of course I will - and I will pray too.

    PS I miss my daughter so much too.

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  3. prayers for you Mum on the way!

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  4. So you are not getting time out. One thing after another. Do take care of your self too.
    What a shame about your Mum. Age isn't on her side but it can be surprising just how tough older ladies can be. We had one in our family who bounced back after medical staff thought there was no hope for her. She made it to nearly 96 before a fall along with an ulcer was too much for her vegetarian system.
    Your retirement is proving to be busy, but it's good that you can be there with your Mum.
    I am sending you all Good Wishes and a little extra strength.

    Please give the pussy boys a tickle under the chin from me...or maybe they would prefer something special to eat.
    I'm sending hugs from the Southern hemisphere.

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  5. Oh, dear, Isabelle! So sorry to hear about your mom! I am sending good thoughts and prayers for your mom and your family!

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum. Still, they made 'em tough in the olden days so it may still turn out fine.

    xx

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  7. Oh, this is not the way your retirement was supposed to be going at all. So sorry.

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about your mother, and hope all goes well with the surgery, treatment and recovery. She sounds a very resilient person - as do you - and you will all be together and caring for each other.

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  9. So much stress Isabelle....Sorry to hear about your mum's health problems. Glad she's still able to enjoy a walk in the Botanical Gardens with you. Will be thinking good thoughts for her surgery and recovery. Make sure YOU get your rest!

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  10. Oh Isabelle, amidst the wonderful, the sad and difficult and worrying. I'm wishing for an extra dose of strength and fortitude to help you cope with the weeks ahead and including you and your mum in my prayers.

    Lesley xx

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  11. Positive thoughts from across the sea.xo

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  12. Anonymous11:47 pm

    Delurking to say how sorry I am about your mother. How good it is that you can have her to be with you now.

    Jan x

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  13. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum - I hope the operation goes well and she has a speedy and complete recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm sending good wishes and thoughts for all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Life does jumble good and bad times together, doesn't it? Finding the centre point of balance is a challenge we all face. very best wishes to you and yours over the coming weeks. ♥

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  16. sending fortitude to you and your mum.

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  17. So sorry to hear about your mum, Isabelle. Will be thinking about you all.

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  18. What can I say that hasn't been written by all your other caring bloggy friends here? I am also very sad to hear that your Mum has cancer. It is such an awful disease...My best wishes for a successful op. and a good recovery.
    {{Hugs}} to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous6:07 pm

    I am very sorry to hear about your mother. I know your worry is great. Will be thinking warm thoughts for you from across the ocean, hoping that you find the strength and fortitude to get through this, as well as hoping your mother does well with the move and operation. I am sure you are a great comfort to her. Will be watching for updates!

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  20. Oh gosh, Isabelle, in the midst of such joy. Hugs to your Mum and strength and courage to you all.

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  21. Oh, dear... here we go, eh? Sending you all the virtual hugs and cups of tea in the world, and here's hoping for a successful surgery for your mom. So difficult, the way happy times crash into sad ones, and you try to hold back one until the other is over... must have been such a stress, with the wedding and all. You are strong, and you will get through this. We're all with you!

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  22. So sorry to hear that, Isabelle. Difficult stuff to deal with at any time but, as you say, more so for an elderly lady. Thinking of you all.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Isabelle. I don't know what I was thinking, but I definitely didn't expect the C-word. I'm so sorry. What a comfort to have DS accompany you to the surgeon's meeting. Big hugs to you all!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just catching up after our holiday, So sorry to hear about your Mum - what a worry for you. The wedding photos you've posted are all brilliant and everyone looks so beautiful and handsome - depending on their gender! And of course the darling grandson will be growing like a wee mushroom. Zxx

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  25. I'm sorry to hear of your mother's illness and wish you all the best for the surgery and afterwards. It must be very stressful for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  26. So sorry, and how brave of you to keep quiet until your daughter was off. May you still have more calm and happy times with your mum.

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  27. Your grandson is adorable! Thank you for the pictures - they made me laugh out loud!

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