Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Behind the Clock

We have been sent a copy of the letter that my mother's cancer consultant has sent to her GP.  It is full of such phrases as "excellent response to treatment." The cancer marker has "plummeted".  They are going to continue with the two remaining lots of chemotherapy and then do a CT scan to see what's going on - - though the letter makes it clear that they are both amazed and delighted by her progress.

Meanwhile, the snow has almost - though not quite - melted.

So my mother's gentleman friend has been out painting benches in the garden and Mum, wrapped up warmly in trousers, coat and hat has been out digging in the garden for much of the day.

"The soil's really not too difficult to turn over at all," she said.  "Of course I'm slower with the spade than I used to be but I still got quite a lot done."

She'd been thinking about it.  Not about the cancer:  she's been thinking about the garden.

"The thing is," she said, "I've been thinking what a boon a garden is.  It always gives you something to do.  Always makes you think of new ideas.  I've left the spade out there for tomorrow."

One of my Mum's foibles has always been that she never likes to pay bills. It isn't that she can't afford to pay them - it's simply that it's not a job she considers a priority.

So, when I was a child, she always just put the bills behind the clock on the mantelpiece and then waited until red versions arrived and then, finally, paid them.

Now I have all her bills paid by direct debit so she doesn't have to do that any more.  But with anything she doesn't like, she puts it behind a metaphorical clock and refuses to pay it any attention.

At the moment, my mother is out in the garden.  Her cancer is behind the clock.  Long may it remain there.




7 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

I wondered where you were going with the clock/bills story but tied it in nicely at the end. Joan sure is one tough cookie and her attitude to keeping busy all the time has to have helped her to kick this cancer's butt.

11:34 pm  
Anonymous Milo said...

So glad to hear about the results and the progress she has been making.

I went home for Easter (first time I'd been back in 6+ months, as I didn't go for Christmas) and one of my mum's oldest friends (and her husband) came round for dinner. She had lost all of her hair as she's had lots of chemo, but was in very good form overall. She's recovering from ovarian cancer and a few years ago was also very ill, having had leukaemia (she's in her mid 50s).

She has been touch-and-go with both of these conditions and both times she has pulled through, somewhat amazing those around her. She was in fine form at the weekend, eating and drinking a vast amount (and smoking far too much). She has quite a strong personality and has always refused to see herself as a victim.

In unrelated news, you may be interested to hear that I am taking up swimming lessons!

11:35 pm  
Anonymous Jay at The Depp Effect said...

What a delightful post! There are many things we should stick behind the metaphorical clock, I think, and just leave them there.

Cancer is definitely one of them.

11:39 pm  
Blogger Helsie said...

Wonderful news for all concerned. Long may it continue.

10:24 am  
Blogger Jennytc said...

I'm so pleased your mum is doing so well, Daphne and, yes, putting the cancer behind the clock seems to be a very good way of dealing with it and getting on with her life.

10:25 am  
Blogger Kate said...

A continuation of the lovely news. I'm also very much into 'Carpe Diem' at the moment. However some of my art business P&P (planning&paperwork) also needs time made for it too...

3:05 am  
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