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

36 Replies

tigerbeth
Member
8 years ago
@"Annie C" just read this , hope you're ok wishing you well, take it easy & get someone else to look after you xx
@zoffiel your Ms M sounds like a treasure & I wish her well, with you on her side she's bound to be a winner xx
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@"Annie C" Excellent!

:*
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
I did pick up the proof of her book from the printers today. I'd set up the template for her but I just couldn't concentrate on it and another of her friends took over the project once I'd got the main body of work and most of fthe photos in place. Things like indexing have gone to hell in a handbasket but I think she will be pleased with the result--my editors eye has already picked up numerous formatting issues but it's a 48 page local history not a high end publication and she wants it finished. Now.
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
oh hell and damnation ... Zoffiel Ms M will have my thoughts and so will you as you traverse this new bloody roller coaster she has to endure.....
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Best wishes Annie, hope you are much better very soon. And thank you for the birthday remembrance!
Annie_C
Member
8 years ago
@kmakm
Order understood Ma'am. For once at 7am I am still in bed!

Thank you Kate. You really are a treasure.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Look after yourself @"Annie C"... that's an order!
Annie_C
Member
8 years ago
@kmakm
Thank you for your loving thoughts.
What triggered it. Oh life just bit me on the bum again. Dust, dry air, pollen, or once again doing too much and not resting enough. Trying to please too many people at the same time.

Am improving. Could do without the steroids giving me "roid rage". And the 3 am wake with coughing. Ah well at least there are we Night Howlers to keep me amused. And I like your 4 7 8 technique.

The good thing is the Medico's are at last sitting up and taking notice. Well last Sunday's is. We will see what the round of CAT scans, blood tests and heart echogram brings.

Take care and sending warm Kimberley wishes to you (it is getting warm!)
Big hugs
Annie
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@"Annie C"! That sounds alarming! Do you know what triggered it? Hope you sleep well tonight and stay well tomorrow. K xox

<3
kezmusc
Member
8 years ago
Sounds like one heck of a woman @Zoffiel.

Reminds me of a conversation I had today with a gorgeous 93yr old lady. She was annoyed that the OT's thought it was odd she was still driving. She says " I have to keep driving so I can drive my husband around, I am the younger one you know (he was 95) . She wanted out of the hospital because nobody on the farm could do anything properly (according to her) and she needed to make sure the cattle were ok.

Wish your gorgeous friend all the best. sososo