Sarah is much better although still stuck with the awful cough - and at least I've been able to see her over the past few days instead of her being stuck in bed at mum and dad's.
So far, mum and dad have both managed to avoid it.
My brother is apparently quite unwell still - along with his two boys. They've all struggled with the cough mainly and as we all know, when you can't sleep you can't recover properly. I'm hopeful they'll all be on the mend shortly. Get well soon Eddie & boys xx
Sarah and Manolis will be going back home to Greece on Wednesday. She's been here since the end of November now so I can't be sad that she's leaving - although I am - and we're hoping to be able to get over to them in the summer this year.
It's been lovely to have some time with her and she's been so helpful to both me and Rab whilst she's been here.
Rab obviously had to go back to work just after I was released from hospital so for the first week Leanne and James took time off work to look after me and things at home...
Then the following week Sarah arrived in the UK. She was coming over daily, sorting out lunch/dinner, ironing and doing housework for us - and keeping me company, coming to hospital appointments with me, listening to my various moans and groans and encouraging me that it WILL all start to get better, bit by bit.
I'm so grateful for the time I've had with her (especially that they were both here for Christmas) and although I will miss her so much it's time for her to go home now and get on with her own life again.
Rab's still doing most stuff at home - ironing, cleaning, changing beds etc as I still can't do anything much physically demanding - but I've started to do bits and pieces now that would have been impossible just a month ago...I'm very grateful for all the help we've had since this started - couldn't have got to this stage of the game without the support of my family and friends.
Thank you all :-) xxx
Carole, the flu 'thingy' seems to have been a most unwelcome guest; interfering with your recovery as well. It is good to hear that things are sorting themselves out and you have had the loving presence of your sister.
ReplyDeleteYou have earned the help you have been given and I am truly happy for you.
Stay strong and continue to improve sweetie xo
Thank you Chez...
ReplyDeleteI'm also keeping an eye on you and always hoping for you to be free of pain and discomfort
Big hugs xxx
Aww . . . Auntie Sarah and Manolis are going home!!! Oh well. I'll just have to go to Rhodes to see her then. You coming too???
ReplyDeleteKnow how much it's meant to you to have her around for the last few weeks and how much you'll miss her. But she's only a Skype call or an email away.
Love ya loads, batface. xxxx
I'm hoping to get out there this summer for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's been lovely to have her here but it's the right time for her to get back to normal now.
Have you got Skype now?
My connection is crap but Dj's setting his 'top range' camera up this week (now that clever Rab has managed to fix the wireless problem)..so I'll be giving that a go to see if it's better than mine.
Love ya loads too - & we'll get together soon. xxxx
Hi, Carole.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished rereading you entire blog over the last few days. (That's what happens when you don't post anything new for awhile. 1-We worry about you, and 2-Some of us start reading your older posts to fill the time!) What an adventure you've had. And to think that after all of that you are still 2.5cms away from a nice soak in the tub!!! Maybe you should just put some super glue in the stubborn part and jump in the tub anyway. :-)
Thank you so much for sharing your life the way you do. This last week was not so fun for me on the emotional/psychological side. I think I reached a point after surgery where it was just tough to be strong and put on a good face. Like others have already said, reading your posts is like being there with you. It's helped me to get some of my own issues sorted again. Time to press on.
Sarah, thank you for being such a great sister for Carole. The love and support you give each other in your family really touches me. All of you are such good, solid, honest people. And you attract the same caliber of people around you. That is obvious from reading the comments to Carole's posts. Wishing you and Manolis a safe return to Greece. Glad you are all feeling better. Maybe you should leave your lingering cough in London. :-)
Thanks again, Carole, and to your family. I've enjoyed and needed the pick-me-up this week. You guys are great.
Love and hugs,
Steve
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteSarah read your comment tonight before she left and was really happy to be acknowledged as a 'great sister' - which of course is exactly what she is :-)
She has been a huge support to me, put up with my grumpy moods (as do all my family), laughed with me, put the world to rights with me and now, tomorrow, she returns to a calmer and warmer way of life.
Hopefully it won't be long until I see her again....
We didn't say 'Goodbye' tonight - just 'See you later'. That sounds better to me :-)
Steve, about hitting the floor - it happens after the surgery.
The cancer may be gone but the questions are still there, what next? has it gone? will it come back? statistics start playing with your mind.
It's all totally normal - our new normal, that is.
You can email me via the link on my profile page ANY time you need a chat - Carla too.
Cancer is crap Steve *but* you get to meet some really great people because of it...You're one of them and you've coped brilliantly.
Allow yourself to feel emotional, have a good cry sometimes, get pissed off at the unfairness of it all, then go give Carla a big hug.
Love and hugs back at ya :-) xxxx
Glad to hear things are on the mend all round and that you've some lovely plans for the summer. I had a similar expereince as far as family overseas was concerned and i know just how good it felt to have them here to share the festivites. may even be lucky enough to visit them in Mauritius in years to come if things pan out for my kid brother.
ReplyDeletelots of love from
David [C]xxx
Sis, on my visit, there were times when I felt I should have been doing more for you and felt I didn't do that much. However, it just goes to show, its not always about what you do it just goes a long way to know that someone cares. Some people don't know what to do, they feel sad themselves so cannot always think straight. But to anyone that knows someone who may need them, its just an email, text, phone call, card, comment on blog, all these things make a difference. I feel a sense of happiness when I read your bloggers comments, knowing that my sister has someone that cares for her. I also care about them too even though I don't know them. Right, wipe my eyes now, miss you already sis, see you later! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteare you getting better now? Pei Pa Koa (www.geocities.jp/ninjiom_hong_kong/index_e.htm ) is one of the few Chinese natural cough remedies that have been scientifically studied. it's something like herb plus honey, and it's sweet, thick and black in color. If you have a cough, look for it! It used to be one of my favourite natural cough remedies.
ReplyDeleteif your cough persists, seek professional help such as traditional Chinese medicine physicians - I have had very good experiences with them.
Hi Gillion,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommended cough remedy. I will pick some up as my mum suffers with a really bad cough from time to time.
Once she gets it, it's really hard for her to shift so this may prove to be very useful.
Many thanks & welcome to my blog :-)
xxx