I'd like to nominate my friend Ms M for the inaugural Tough Old Chicky award. Ms M, at 88 and following a formal BC diagnosis a week ago, had a mastectomy this morning and tells me she feels fine. Except the tea is shite.We are never sure what goes on beneath the surface but this lady, who has seen more than her fair share of adversity, is an inspiration. Dry and erudite, she has taught me heaps about accepting what you can't change. With grace. Lessons about how to do the best you can with what you have and concentrate on what you do well. I'll take her decent tea tomorrow.

I long ago gave up any hope of emulating tough old ladies. My mother managed to crack jokes and be charming in spite of a fused spine, legs that didn't work, arthritic hands, AF, a hernia and a host of other bits and pieces. A lot of unpleasant things happened in her life and all I ever heard her talk about was how lucky she was. She stopped living, as I always expected, when she was good and ready, which turned out to be nearly 94. I hope I've learned something but I'll never manage it with the same intrinsic authenticity.

A decent cup of tea is how I showed everyone I was home from the hospital today so I totally get this ladies woes. How brave she is going through such a surgery at her age. I wish her only the very best for a good recovery xx Lesley

I can't be the only one that thinks having a schedule when you are 89 would be wonderful. I have times when I seem besieged by people who assume I am retired or dying to do so (they probably push rubbing kale on body parts too!!) and I can't think of too many things that are less desirable. Things to do, places to be, people to meet! Sounds good to me.

@Zoffiel Add my voice to the Devine Mrs M.I wish her well.As for hospital tea - I hate those lukewarm drops served in scratched plastic mugs harbouring God knows what!However the best cuppa black tea was made for me last Sunday evening in our local hospital's emergency department. It was hot, sweet and black. Made by the best male nurse from South India. Did he know how to make a cuppa. (Also was excellent at putting in an IV catheta, didn't feel a thing! And he had read my notes and knew not to use my right arm). Worth having a major asthma attack just to get a good cuppa. Did not like the threat that if I did not improve in 4 hours it was an RFDS airlift to Darwin Hospital. Now I like Darwin but not from a RFDS Plane and a Darwin Hospital bed. So I sucked on the Ventolin and atrovent nebulizers, slurped up the 2 bags of IV magnesium and put up with the double dose of prednisolone. It was either the threat or the treatment. I improved. Now home high as a kite on Ventolin and sleepless with prednisolone (and cranky, bad tempered, irritable and weepy -hate prednisolone). Thank God for the Night Howlers!Take care allAnnie

@Zoffiel Please tell Ms M we are all proud of her ! She is one brave lady and I am not sure I'd want to go through it at her age. There is no God.As for the cup of tea - that is just what my Mum would say. Mum also hated being given tea in a plastic mug at the hospital. Tell her my Mum actually threw a cold hard crumpet at the back of the tea lady one time !Give her hugs from usSummer :-)

Tough Old Chicky Award | BCNA Online Network

Romla
Member
8 years ago
Remarkable women - maybe harsher times taught them to appreciate what they had and to savour the moment
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
Decent cuppa! Makes all the difference!
Molly001
Member
8 years ago
I'm constantly in awe of older ladies, their drive and their ability to battle on. Truly inspirational. I'm 39yo and had my fair share of adversity and I feel that a lot from mine and younger generations are spoiled, entitled and plain soft. Don't get me wrong, I can cry and melt down with the best of 'em but I don't expect others to sook and baby me or do things for me when I can do it for myself. More than once during treatment I've been told I'm very stoic. I hope I'm like your 'tough old chicky' friend @Zoffiel
June1952
Member
8 years ago
@Zoffiel
Please tell Ms M we are all proud of her ! She is one brave lady and I am not sure I'd want to go through it at her age. There is no God.
As for the cup of tea - that is just what my Mum would say. Mum also hated being given tea in a plastic mug at the hospital. Tell her my Mum actually threw a cold hard crumpet at the back of the tea lady one time !
Give her hugs from us
Summer :-)
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I long ago gave up any hope of emulating tough old ladies. My mother managed to crack jokes and be charming in spite of a fused spine, legs that didn't work, arthritic hands, AF, a hernia and a host of other bits and pieces. A lot of unpleasant things happened in her life and all I ever heard her talk about was how lucky she was. She stopped living, as I always expected, when she was good and ready, which turned out to be nearly 94. I hope I've learned something but I'll never manage it with the same intrinsic authenticity.
Romla
Member
8 years ago
There are some remarkable human beings @Zoffiel in this world - sounds like you have found another one. Oh for a return to loose leaf tea brewed properly in a pot , served in bone china and HOT

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