I
have 3 more days to wait before I will know what treatment I can have for my recently diagnosed cancer.
This means Mark only has 3 more days of “activities” to design to distract us
both, before we start to plan the next stage. He has been amazing. I have spent
the last 3 weeks, not cooking, not cleaning, not washing or ironing...and it
has all been done perfectly, with no instruction or supervision from me.
Mark
bought the new Jamie Oliver cookbook, with 15 minute recipes. He has successfully
created several meals that look quite like the pictures...although I think the
15 minute idea has gone out of the window.
I have been taken on an early Christmas shopping trip, to buy the grandchildren all manner of gorgeous playthings. ( he knows it is impossible to be depressed when planning things for our 4 beautiful grand children).
I
have been on short walks through autumn leaves....Hebden Bridge looks lovely at
this time of year.
I
have been taken to lunch at an amazing number of delightful cafes..... I
particularly liked the Blitz war time cafe in Hebden Bridge.
 |
sitting on the fence in our garden |
We went to the bird sanctuary at Martin Mere, partly to see the trees we had planted in Mark's dad's name, and to sit on the bench we have had placed overlooking one of the lakes...but also to visit our favourite hide, to watch the water fowl.
We
went to the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield.....this was a bit tiring, but a
great trip out, and I enjoyed seeing the setting for the gallery, the superb Hepworth
collection, and the other exhibits which are presented so well.
We
walked along the canal near our house, on an afternoon when the sun filtering
through the trees made spectacular reflections on the water.
We
have popped into friends and families' homes for endless cups of tea, sometimes calling in when grandchildren were home !
We
have planned out TV viewing like a military exercise.....ensuring soaps have
been recorded, in case I run out of things I want to watch..... “Homeland”, “The
Thick of It”, “Have I got News for you?”,
“Getting On”, “Modern Family”, “QI”,
“Mock the Week”, and our current favourite, smulchy American apple pie, with a
bit of a hard edge ( sometimes)... “Friday Night Lights”. ( Not to forget “Pointless” !!!!)
Daughter
Jess has just got up, and has decided we should watch the edited highlights of
last night’s X Factor ( skipping the really awful bits, and just watching the
awful bits). Oh well, what can I do ? I’ll just have to watch it.
All
in all, it’s quite interesting having
those around me organising things...they’re
all doing a great job.
 |
| Jess, glued to X Factor, after having made me a coffee . |
You have a great team around you. All power to their collective elbows.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the photographs of your visits...such lovely colours and reflections...but had to giggle at the '15 minute idea' having gone through the window, as it takes me the 15 minutes to read the recipe and see if I have the ingredients....let alone cook it!
The ingredients for his first attempt took ages to find....not all available at the Hebden Bridge co-op.....and then assembling them all...well, it took considerably more time than 15 mins.....it was delicious though. Mark is a super star. J.
DeleteHere's three cheers to your support team, Janice, and three more for you!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure seeing all the things you have been doing - and the Blitz Cafe sounds interesting. I'd tip the waitress extra just for the outfit and hair. I'm with the fly in the web - it would take me as long to read all I needed as well. Mark, however, gets an A+.
The Blitz cafe is a real find. I've eaten corned beef hash there, and yesterday went back, with my daughter, and had something made with cheese and spam ! I'm pleased to say they are not using dried eggs in things though. It is beautifully done, and I think it would make a great destination for some older residents at local retirement homes, and could be brilliant for alzheimer sufferers of a certain age. Thanks for Mark's A+, he really deserves it. J.
DeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteGreat to read that you've been finding displacement activities, although I suspect that your diagnosis has never been very far away from the front of your mind.
Mark sounds like a star - you chose well!
Keep strong x
I am so envious of you being in France at the moment....have a wonderful time, and give it my love ! Mark is amazing...., thanks for your positive thoughts. J.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm really sorry to be picky here...really, because of course, I know what you mean; but I think this should be called 'Distraction Therapy' not 'Displacement Activity' - primarily because I don't think Freud got much right and it implies that you can't face what might be ahead of you - and I don't believe that for one second.
ReplyDeleteNow, if all these lovely things you've been doing have provided a helpful distraction from what might otherwise be uppermost on your mind, then I think they may well prove to be very therapeutic. And I'm sure to have Mark doing such a good job in the kitchen and Jessie providing excellent, relaxing company (and coffee) as well as visiting such great places is just exactly what you need for now.
I'm going to post this, even though I'm not sure I've quite captured what I wanted to say!! I'll drop you a line. Hugs, Axxxx
With a mind as mush like as mine at the moment... stringing any two words together is an achievement !At least you had some idea what I meant.... You are, of course, completely right. Blogging, and keeping right up todate with everyone's posts has also been a great way to spend time. So, I shall contine to get distracted....it's not a bad way to spend time at all. J xxx
DeleteOh, Janice, my thoughts and prayers are with you. This is such a delightful post to read and considering what you are going through all the more wonderful. Mark is indeed a star -- and so are you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much....I am very lucky to have someone like Mark around, but I've always known that. J.
DeleteGive Mark a big kiss from me - what a guy?
ReplyDeleteDone.... thanks, from me...and him J.
DeleteI'm definitely with Annie in calling it Distraction Therapy. And what fantastic photos from you yet again. I love the idea of the Blitz cafe. I'm sure it must be very popular. Mark sounds like the perfect man to have around...what a star.
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up girl. We're all rooting for you. Will be thinking of you this week. Lots of Love xxx
I really love the Blitz cafe...the decor, the Andrews sisters playing in the background, the menu, the waitresses...all completely in keeping. It is very popular. Thanks again Ayak... its so amazing having people all over the world rooting away ! J.x
DeleteThose sound like excellent displacement activities! I remember watching the whole set of Fawlty Towers over several evenings while waiting for surgery. It's a great idea to stock up on favourite series for the days when you can't do anything except lie in bed.
ReplyDeleteAnd bravo to Mark!
What a good idea... I shall have to plunder the Amazon store and stock up on all the box sets I've ever fancied. Jx
DeleteJust catching up with your blog, Janice, and, of course, reading the first sentence of this post really took me by surprise. Sending positive wishes your way but with such a wonderful family around you, you are a lucky lady who will be well looked after.
ReplyDeleteI was reading previous posts about the rings etc - fascinating to read, as always.
(Have never been to the Hepworth Gallery but it looks just up my street)
Thanks Trish, life is a bit complicated at the moment, but I know i am lucky in having such a brilliant support team...which seems to include quite a lot of bloggers ! thanks for the positive thoughts. J.
DeleteThe new Hepworth gallery is a real treat...well worth a visit.
Dear Janice - what a comfort families are and yours are wrapping you up in a lovely warm blanket of love. Mark is a little bit of gold just like those wonderful autumn leaves.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about it Rosemary, he has been wonderful...as have friends from the blogosphere. J.
DeleteMust try the Blitz Cafe & try to get to the Hepworth too. I do agree about the grandchildren - they are the best, most positive diversion when the going is tough.
ReplyDeleteYou will love the Blitz cafe....some great period pottery around....and although lots of the decor is clearly repro, some of it is just gorgeous....and just, really well put together. J.
DeleteThis post rang so many bells with me, Janice. Displacement or distraction - either of them means that you're not letting the cancer dominate your life or take away your enjoyment of it with the help of your wonderful family. Waiting can be so hard, but you've filled the time with some amazing activities and I too particularly love the Blitz Cafe. Do we need to take or ration books? :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I was pleased to discover that rationing had not really affected the menu. The cakes on display clearly contained more fat and sugar than would have been available for a whole street in a month. ( The menus are contained within ration book covers though) J.
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you....always nice to have such a great family. Especially your dear husband who is a 'star'. Glad you are not dwelling on this....don't make the mistake I did and are busy with activities. I believe if it was so far ahead they would have taken you in for treatments already, b/c they sure do here.
ReplyDeleteWish I was an angel and grant you any wish you would like...take care XXXX
Thanks so much... I only have an hour or so to wait until I meet with my surgeon who will tell me what is possible. I cant tell you how much I appreciate your kind wishes, thanks so much. J x
Delete