spine

My dad has cancer. They thought he had got rid of it but now, it’s back. It’s in his spine.

My mother habitually announces things with enormous flourish. A printer jam, a forgotten shopping list: “We’ve got a major disaster on our hands.” This time she wrote an understated letter. “Not good news, my darling.”

Comments

77 responses to “spine”

  1. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Thank you Cathy. xx

  2. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Thanks, Diane. X

  3. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    That’s really kind, Billy, thank you, I will pass them on. And keep some for myself.

    Ta, Manfred x

  4. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Thank you SO MUCH Karl-Erik, I can indeed imagine that happening and your suggestions are excellent. I’m very sorry to hear that you have learned them. Thanks for passing on the wisdom of the experience. And vale.

    Everybody, thank you for your loving thoughts. I really appreciate it and I’m going to pass them on to my Dad and Mum. Feels good to hear from ya’ll. X

  5. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Oh, Raelene! I didn’t realise you and your mother had been going through this for so long! So even when we first met… you were dealing with cancer. The admin and the grief. I’m so sorry this has infested your lives. Thanks for your kindness. xx

  6. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Jockie xx thank you my dear love

  7. Cathoel Jorss Avatar
    Cathoel Jorss

    Thank you so much, Brendan. My family and I are at painful odds. There is one brother I cannot see because his violent unpredictability makes me too frightened. It’s not at all clear I will be able to go back, even for dad’s funeral. Am so torn. I appreciate your generous thoughts xx

  8. Jameela Avatar
    Jameela

    I’m so sorry to hear this – and about the ‘painful odds’. I was unable to be at my father’s funeral – it was in India, there were visa issues and I wasn’t comfortable with leaving my children. Yes, it stung at the time, but I was going to grieve anyway, and not being able to be there didn’t change my love for him or my sorrow at his passing. Hugs from the UK x

  9. Elizabeth Emanuele Avatar
    Elizabeth Emanuele

    My grandpa had spinal cancer. As he got sick he melted emotionally, and we got to meet a part of him hithertofore unknown. It was a gift in the midst of all the sadness and other mixed feelings I had for him. Sending you love.

  10. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    Hugs to you dear gentle soul….

  11. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    You are in my thoughts Cathoel. It’s never an easy transition loosing a parent. From my experience loosing my father to cancer in the UK ( whilst I was in Oz) there can be so many complex family dynamics play out and onc can never know the ” best time” to be with them with the extra complexity that massive physical distance brings. I believe to from your writings that relationship with your father has sometimes been fraught or at least some distance has developed. I hope that there are opportunities to put some ghosts to rest if need be and working with what’s achievable whilst there’s time .

  12. glenda Avatar
    glenda

    Oelly darling… Sending loads of love to you and your family…..Good earlier suggestion to have your dad clarify his end-of-life wishes. And please be as kind to yourself as you are to others in finding your way through this time, whatever it may bring. I’m almost a year into my metastasised cancer scenario and inspired by Australian terminal cancer survivor Kristine Matheson’s story & health protocols….see http://www.cancertowellness.com …your folks may find her info helpful too xxxx

  13. RoughAcres Avatar
    RoughAcres

    You are loved.
    Wish I were there. xoxoxo <3 R

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