2009 isn't looking like it is going to shape up well for a couple of my friends, who are also our neighbours. One has Huntingtons and she is getting pretty poorly. Her balance has gone now and is injuring herself constantly. She has a prolapse uterous now, I believe one of the many side effects of Huntingtons but a hysterectomy could leave her being kept alive by machines, so her consultant is now going to use some sort of ring to support things - not a permanent fix, but for someone who may only have a couple of years left with us, it will do. God I could cry, and I do. I hate it, she is my age with a 12 year old son. Husband has left her once as he can't cope, but the son begged him to come home. We all do what we can, but she is a proud girl - she still has a little job in the village shop and you know, I think that helps keep her fit and strong. Then our other neighbour, Mary. Four years ago she lost her husband to cancer. Two years ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with secondary tumours all over the place. She had chemo, then a hysterectomy, part of her bowel removed and a bit here and a bit there taken away. In the autumn she was told things were looking good and dare they say, she was in remission - Hoorah! Christmas week she was rushed back into hospital in agony. The cancer is back, small tumours along the scare tissue of the hysterectormy and her bowel had twisted. They sorted her bowel, and chemo was to restart as soon as she was fit and able....then tonight, blue flashing lights at the window. Mary has been rushed back into hospital. I will find out tomorrow what is what from Joan, Mary's other neighbour and my Womens Institute pal. Mary is older, late 50's but with 2 beautiful daughters both in their early 30's. Sorry to be posting such a low thread, but it helps to let it all out. I can sit here and cry my eyes out as the kids are asleep in bed and Mark is downstairs watching a movie. Life can be so bloody cruel, sometimes, I despair.
Oh EJ I do hope Mary is going to be alright!! It doesn't sound good though having to be rushed off to hospital again does it? Her daughters must be very worried for her. I'll keep my fingers tightly crossed that it's nothing too serious this time and that she'll be home again soon. I sincerely hope that both your neighbours will improve and be pain-free for as long as possible. Cancer is such a cruel disease.
Ach EJ--Don't apologize for posting this. It doesn't make me down to read your posting--it is apparent that you need to talk about it. You wouldn't be posting this if you didn't need to talk about it. Righ?. I really feel for your friends and you. The anguish that a friend can suffer when confronted with physical drama of dear ones is alwawys quite painful and often leaves one feeling so helpless, yet wanting to do SOMETHING to help. Of course you know that there is so very little that you can offer except companionship and an attempt of understanding. For the ill ones, it will be enough for them just knowing that you care and are there if there is something that you can help them with. Folks who have such serious illnesses as these ultimately reach a point of realization and acceptance of their situation and as things develop it is the small things that mean so very much to them. The more progressed their illnesses get the less support will be shown by aquaintances, as many feel quite ill at ease with them. A person never knows how they will be able to cope with seeing their friends faring so poorly. Not everyone can. I hope that both your friends will have it as easy as they can have. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your neighbour that was whisked-off to the hospital. Keep us posted. We care and are with you as you deal with these unhappy circumstances.lil hug
I'm so sorry to hear of your poor friends and their illnesses. I'm sure it is painful for you to have to watch all this go on around you, it's a helpless felling. You are a good friend to watch out for them.
I'm so sorry for your friends, EJ. Being around terminally ill people is never easy, but it means a lot to those who are suffering. I've learned from experience. *big hug*
Well, Mary is home for now. She had a twisted bowel again. The cancer is creeping around her and she is getting very weak. It is just an lousy time for her girls. I plan to try and see the youngest daughter, Jenny, and see if Mary would like me to just have a sweep through in her garden, get up the leaves and cut back a few bits, she likes a tidy garden and she is the sort of bugger that would worry about it - good if I can aleviate some of the worry so she can concentrate on staying well.
Oh EJ! (((hug))) My aunt has Huntington's, and one of my cousins inherited it from her. It's a profoundly evil disease. Excellent idea to tidy up Mary's garden, I hope that takes some stress off her.
I am so sorry to here about your friends .Your such a sweet friend and neighbor.Best wishes for them and you.
Knowing that the garden is being taken care of is a pure gift to someone who loves it. You're a sweet and caring friend, EJ
Latest news on my poorly neighbour, for her it is going from bad to worse. She was rushed back in to hospital and the cancer has caused her bowel to rupture so she has had it removed. At the moment she is very weak and incredibly low so until she is over the op and stronger, she cannot restart the chemo. My friend, Debs with the Huntingtons has it very aggressively. Her father died of it very young and her sister has only had it a matter of years and is in a care home being fed through tubes. Debs has suffered for a couple of years, first secretly, then I found out about a year ago. I don't know what the future holds for her, but she has a good, large circle of friends, and the church, so she has lots of support which is wonderful.
Tragedy strikes so many...it really makes you learn to appreciate everything a lot more...((Hugs)) to all involved and prayers...
