No longer leukaemia….but isolation

So, here we are a year on since my last post. We have had a year of ups and downs with John being especially subject to depression, but we’re still dancing….just.

But ain’t life fun? It not just the cancers, and lung condition and the depression to contend with now. Oh, no! Just like everyone else, we are in isolation. We have been for a week or two, but yesterday, the government made it clear – STAY AT HOME. So we are.

Very dear family, friends and neighbours have been coming to our rescue with food parcels so far, and we just pray that they, as they go about the business of supporting the vulnerable, stay well and safe.

So, in her wisdom, my dear daughter-in-law suggested we do a diary of the events in our household. I am not sure that we’ll keep it up but we’ll try.

As of last week, we invited my Mum to stay with us. Our thinking being that if she were to become ill in her sheltered accommodation, then we would be unable to visit or support her in any way. So we bit the bullet. Frankly, it is something I swore I would never do, have my Mum stay with us, as I was sure it would kill John off. But actually, so far, not too bad. Even celebrating her 94th birthday on Sunday with was pleasant enough.

Today, has been a beautiful sunny, clear blue sky day. Warm with a very light wind. A pity in some ways because I am feeling so exhausted that I wanted to have a duvet day today. Didn’t happen, but I did have a bit of a duvet morning, although I had got up a couple of times to answer the door. Our dear friend Malcolm had been to the local Co-op for us and brought supplies, then the postie came with a parcel. Just wondering how long the parcel and letter post deliveries will continue. Not sure the government are going to class the work as essential, but we’ll see.

Early morning messages came in from several groups of friends in WhatsApp groups. One, from my friend, Chris, bewailing the fact that her boiler had stopped working. Plumber due to go tomorrow and fingers crossed it’ll be fixed.

John had made us all cups of tea this morning, so that was a bit of luxury and, as I finally made my way downstairs, middle son, Michael, phoned. Had a lovely chat for a good half hour – they were sunning themselves in the garden with a cuppa, whilst William had a nap. Bliss.

We had a bit of lunch then, of a chicken, leek and mushroom soup which was delicious, and then slouched in front of the TV catching up with a couple of programmes – Breeders and The Heist – good fun.

The day is interspersed with messages from all sons of the family – and in particular, beautiful video clips of the family at work and play; my old ‘gang’ – friends from schooldays; my college ‘girls’ – friends from college days; and the prayer group I belong to ‘Exploring Faith’. Each and every one, brightens up the day.

Equally, the phone calls are highlights. My friend, Carol, who lives in Derby, phoned and we had a good old natter. They are all OK there for now, although Carol is obviously anxious about John, her husband who is in his eightieth year.

Had a little toddle out into the garden and the sunshine with Mum this afternoon. Armed with her stick and leaning on me, she did very well, admiring the fish in the pond and the flowers blooming just now. At the end of our toddle, we sat on the bench by the patio door to listen to the birds and take in the sun. I thought it’d be nice to have a spritzer or something as we sat there, so we drank a bottle of Babycham between us in champagne saucers, feeling very privileged to be alive. We watched as John moved ‘big stuff’ from one end of the garden to the other.

Spoilt by egg and chips for tea (memories of John’s Grandma – ‘Nanan’), we have now adjourned to the lounge where we intend to watch TV and phone youngest son in a bit. That’s us today, folks.