Sudden change.....

Ayeyaiyai, what a week this has been.

The week since last Wednesday, that is. My Mum was rushed into hospital last Thursday morning for emergency surgery, and Marge and I have aged 50 years each since then. Mother, may I add, is doing splendidly, after her major surgery. The first in her life and she is 84. She came out of hospital this morning. Marge and I need a month in a spa, or on a tropical island to recover. My hair is grey, and the wrinkles have increased overnight.

I was looking at the list of instructions the doctors in Bath gave me back in June last year, and top of the list is "avoid stress", followed by "pace yourself", and "do not be tempted to do too much, even on a good day", and " spoil yourself". There is more. I am supposed to go for another appointment to see how I am managing the above instructions next Monday. I have just cancelled that appointment. I may have displayed ominous signs of hysteria if they had asked re stress management. Straight-jackets spring to mind. I think it is quite safe to say I am failing miserably on all counts there. But when it is your family, you toss personal things to the wind, don't you. Consider mine tossed. This is my family.

And for good measure, my daughter, down there at the bottom of the world, has wrecked her knee and is being referred to a specialist. Her computer has also expired. And Glynis went into hospital yesterday for an op to correct the break in her wrist. The one she broke just before Christmas when she slipped on the ice. It has not healed correctly and needed a metal plate. So she is in pain and can't drive for another 6-8 weeks. Her sister is due to fly home next Monday.

HELLO 2010, CAN WE START OVER AGAIN???? This is not quite what I had in mind for the new year.

So all has not been paradise, sweetness and light around my little world. However, I have conquered the crochet hook, people. I am now drowning under flowers, large and small, ripples, circles, snowflakes and the like. Thank heavens. I have sat beside Mum's bed in the hospital with hook flying at the speed of light each day. Balls of wool spilling out of the bag at my feet. Manic is an apt word here. It has been a sanity saver.

I have never under-estimated the importance of my family to me. In this family, everyone feels the same way, and nothing has been more important than getting Mum fixed and back to full health. Whatever that takes. And thankfully, she is doing brilliantly. It takes time to recover from major surgery, and as she is no longer 20something, it may take a little longer in her case, but we are made of strong stuff in this family, and she will be FINE.

So, here I am. I have said so many times before that life can change in a second, and it is up to us to learn how to deal with the fallout. It is not about me, after all. And as I am in the mood for cliches....one day at a time. The greatest of thanks go to those friends IRL who have kept things running for me, and sorted out all the day to day things. The support has been absolutely stunning, and it is so appreciated by us all. And for all the prayers - a huge thank you.

Just one other thing.....did I mention that the emergency surgery happened to be in Switzerland??? See - nothing this family does is simple, it seems. Planes, trains, trains, and more trains, me, stick, plod, hobble....... And snow and ice and mountains, none of which I had seen till today. Up and off early and back late. The Germlish is improving in leaps and bounds, though. Germlish is what I speak - a total mix of German and English. It works.

Iam a little tired. Well, to be honest, I am unspeakably exhausted. I need a nap. Right now, I am dealing with a German keyboard which has moved all the letters around too, and I am not in the mood. I will be back.