I missed this … I was dissolving monasteries on Monday, with
Henry VIII and the Reformation swamping me … I gave a two part talk on, believe
it or not, the “Dissolution of Monasteries 1536 – 1540” … so forgive my
remissness for Monday’s Big C blog hop …
 |
The Big C for Cancer Hop in aid
of all those will a serious illness,
particularly Melissa |
Melissa Bradley has been diagnosed with malignant cancer and
thirty of us bloggers are writing funny incidents about life with cancer, or as
I will with terminal illness … please see Michael di Gesu’s blog for
participants.
Cancer, or any degenerative illness, is always incredibly
difficult to deal with for the sufferer, but in some ways more so for those
around their near and dear. What to do
and how we deal with it …
I’ve learnt a great deal from bloggers about other illnesses
and the day to day effects – since my mother, and uncle, were ill I’ve come to
appreciate how challenging, and life changing these times can be.
The words I use are C words: Care, Concern, Compassion,
Courage, Communication, Conversation … but more importantly I’d add being with
your loved one along their journey … sharing and laughing as much a possible –
and remembering, always remembering, to put yourself into the sufferer’s shoes
(or bed, as may be more likely) … it’s not about us – it’s about them, I
repeat: it’s about them …
My mother went to St Pancras Workhouse to wait out the
transfer to Eastbourne after she had sufficiently recovered to live on … we
were lucky her brain was a live wire …
 |
| St Pancras Hospital |
My mind matches my mother’s … probably more so … and if you
want to know more about St Pancras and the workhouse … search for St Pancras
and about 5 posts will pop up …
Right, back to the Workhouse … as it was incredibly hot in
July 2009 I was glad we were on the north side of the building … ‘our’ room was
about 15 feet tall (2.5 m) and probably that square too – room for two hospital
beds.
There were trees outside keeping the room shady, and keeping
any breeze that might be around out – in fact I’m not sure if we could open the
windows much – and, of course, there was a large metal fire-escape staircase
blocking what was left of the view …
We remained there … as my mother was always warm bodied …
and I think because we remained in the room, the other lady decided to do so
too …
This was the holding place for patients until they recovered
sufficiently or the paperwork was completed and signed off – ours had to go to
Cornwall – and could ‘go on’ … home, care home or as in our case Nursing
Centre. (We were there 3 months).
I only visited three to four times a week (usually) … as it
was a 2.5 hour journey each way … plus my visit time, or two visits – depending
on how things were …
 |
Our other occupant was a
lady .. fairly hairy though!? |
One day I arrived to be greeted with the word “XERXES” ……. uhm,
uhm … I’d just travelled from the South Coast, across London by tube ...
... a walk past the new development at Kings Cross/St Pancras Euro Star terminal, by the
British Library, passed those finials on the washing lines I blogged about if
you search, through St Pancras graveyard … to be greeted by mother smiling at
me with “XERXES” ….
 |
Looking down the peninsula: where
Xerxes built a canal to allow his
invading fleet in 483 BC to cross
the isthmus |
Ah ha …. I twigged … the other lady was Greek, could speak
no English … so this was my mother’s nickname for her! We both laughed our heads off … her eyes
twinkled and her mouth twitched with mirth, before rendering us both speechless
…
We did have another hilarious day in the ward … when Mum and
I were totally hysterical and became more so … uncontrollably hysterical …
tears rolling down our faces … it was ‘so bad’ – the staff came running, not
sure if we were laughing or crying or in total despair …
 |
Helandariou Monastery on
Mount Athos Peninsula, Greece |
… actually total despair – my stomach ached, my face had
been stretched to such an extent I was more exhausted than normal … but oh so
much fun was had – and oh what happy memories of my mother, despite her strokes
…
That tale is still to be told … enough for now – I wish
Melissa all the very best, with the best outcome … but she’s lost her job, and
would be grateful for some help, while she, with her sister, travel this
lonely journey … not so lonely with us there …
.jpg) |
Illustration from Kipling's Just So
Stories of 1912 |
Cancer can be held at bay, cancer can do its damndest … but
along the journey we share with our loved ones, or those we decide to connect
with along their journeys … humour and laughter, smiles and love, communication
and visits will help us all …
To Melissa and her sister … from us all … our stories, our
positive thoughts … and our communication with life beyond the chemo walls –
many hugs and hopes for your future with us …
I have called the post Creature Comforts … because we all
need to remember that we are human and are living despite our situation … when
thinking of others is so much more important than thinking of us … whatever the outcome, we
find we’ve embraced both ….
Laughter is the best medicine ... and this clip certainly does it for me ... laughter lines permanently on show .... enjoy!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
