I think I’ve mentioned before that our lives have resembled a poorly put-together soap opera with twists and turns, pathos and downright “You couldn’t make it up” sections. I have been speaking to my Dad quite a bit lately. He phoned me to tell me he was having blood tests and these showed he had prostate cancer. It was difficult talking on the phone because my voice can be almost non-existent some days and Dad was a little hard of hearing so the calls could be frustrating for both of us but it was nice to hear what he was doing and for him to ask about my family. He went into hospital at one point with suspected pneumonia and then came home for a short while. He was frustrated because he had pains in his leg and couldn’t breathe properly and Dad was someone who walked a lot. He said if only his leg didn’t hurt and he could breathe properly there was nothing wrong with him. Sadly he was taken back into hospital again and diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Mr Mason and I started making plans to visit when we heard from my brother that Dad wasn’t expected to last the month and that he had MRSA. I spoke to Dad’s nurse to ask if they were barrier nursing him and she confirmed this but also told me Dad was an MRSA carrier.Mr Mason and I spent two or three days talking to medical staff as to whether I could go or not. My consultant was worried, particularly because I am on active treatment but said he would not stop me seeing my Dad but that I should be prepared to have a spell in hospital afterwards, even if I took all the sensible precautions.
22.6.16
It’s taken me from May until now to try and complete this one blog entry. We decided to go on the Monday and, as things often are, he died on the Saturday afternoon before we could get there. I genuinely cannot remember who gave me the news but I knew from what he’d said on the phone that he didn’t want to hang around long and he was with family to the end. I just don’t feel like going into the following weeks as they seemed more painful than they need to have been, families being what they are. I’ve been taking a long time to finish this one piece of writing, still unsatisfied with it but glad it’s off the table so I can genuinely move on to better and more important themes.
My dad could be a funny man, still singing songs he and his friends made up around 80 years ago and with which I could still have joined in. Night night, dad.
I’m so sorry Shelley and send you a big hug.xx
Thanks Karen. It’s been a tough time but then that’s how things go. We’ve found a great place with birds of prey and there were hardly any people in it so as well was as flying the birds we got to feed the greedy little lambs. Come back soon xxxx
I’m so glad to see your post, as I’ve been missing you, but so sorry at the sad content. Sending you lots of love at this sad time.
Thank you. I’ve been missing writing, too and hopefully the next ones will be more cheerful. Lots of love xxx
So sorry for your loss Shelley – lots of love xx
Thanks, Jane. We must arrange a meet up soon as we miss you! Lots of love xxc
Dearest Shelley – what a terrible sad sad story. I have been truly hopeless at writing. I wrote a longish email to you a couple of weeks back – and found it today in “my drafts” – I will get it sorted and sent . Love you, you very precious and special person. I would like to “like” your blog – but becasue its so beautifully written and so tender – not because of the content – take care my love. Ruth
We’ve been thinking about you and Philip a lot lately, Ruth. Thank you for your message. One of my goals is to come to Chester this summer. Love to you both xxxx