Menonnerating; When Life Gets Heavy

Readers—friends—this post is in conjunction with the one over at Nice Nobby/Naughty Nobby today. The time has come to share Gail's news, but it did not feel entirely right to put that all out on Nobby's blog. What relates to him is there, and as much as Gail herself has shared, is there.

However, the fullness of what has happened and its effect upon me (among so many others) can only be expressed here. To be clear, this is written with Gail's assent. The reality is Pancreatic Cancer. When I was with Gail just four short weeks ago, one of the things we discussed was the need for a post about her diagnosis, given so many people who commented on Nobby's blog were missing the more subtle signals. Without wishing to be harsh, there are only so many messages for improved health one can face when under a terminal condition. This is no fault of the well-wishers. It was decided that on my return visit, we would work on a 'reveal' post and ensure that I had all the relevant contacts she felt worth my having.

Dear ones never put off what can be done immediately!

As I drove north again, I spoke with Gail the day before her brother visited from England and then again when he'd left - Friday, a mere ten days ago. She was looking forward to my return, and we agreed I'd arrive on Sunday to give her a day of rest. Those who read Nobby's blog will recall the last paragraph of her last post there on that very Friday.

On Saturday morning, she called from A&E in very poor condition. Over the next two days, there was no response to my texts, and I confess I was beside myself because I had not taken those all-important contact details on the last visit. Neither did anyone on the ground have mine. I had a memory flash of an email address, though, and that proved the lifeline I needed to get back into the loop. It was all a bit scattered simply because Gail had deteriorated so very rapidly. Shockingly so. 

Cut to last Friday when I met up with the lady I had contacted and drove her into Aberdeen Infirmary so we could visit. Gail's brother had returned from the south again, so it was an honour and heart-warming to meet him, albeit in sad circumstances.

This is where I put on my old medic's hat and paraphrase the line you would hear if you called enquiring at any hospital and were not a relative... At the time of writing, Gail is in a sedated and stable condition. 

For my end of it, there have been floods. I know that I have not been alone in this. However, I am blessed to spend time by her bedside and relate to her all the incredible Love with the capital 'ell' coming her way from every corner of this globe. By some sort of magical mystery mayhem, several folks managed to track me down through my blog and Instagram, wondering if I had news, so by default, I have become the hub for online connections. I know that Max is fielding a great many more messages, so if I can relieve him of just this amount, it is a privilege. 

It is the waiting time, and there will be no change except for the final one.

Meanwhile, if I have missed commenting on your posts, or the comments are brief or not quite my usual efforts, please forgive me. I know you'll understand. Let me leave you with one of the photos provided by Nobby's "landlady" Linda... it expresses something of what I am feeling...