Results tagged “The Oak” from Birmingham Mail - I Will Survive

I was really worried that chemo would prevent us going to Canada for Xmas, but now here I am in bed with the flu and just over a week to go before we fly.

On Wednesday I had a yoga session at my house and that night as John and I drove to the Malvern Theatre to see Cabaret the symptoms came on rapidly. The next day I frustratingly was having to ring from my sick bed to cancel all the lovely things that happen during the weeks before Xmas. I should have been shaking my tin for Macmillan in Morrison's sadly someone else had to do it. My Solihull Cancer Support Group Party was special this year because my Macmillan nurse Sue and her group were the entertainment.Yes only I could have a nurse that sings in a folk group as well. I have tried many times to hear her sing and once again I missed the chance. She also has never heard my talks where I praise her part in helping me to survive. I am sure we will both get the chance one day.

Saturday, I still felt wretched, but we are going with 2 friends to the Macmillan Ball at the St. John's Hotel, Solihull and we can't let them down, I don't feel the Belle of the Ball but I drag myself from the fireside, Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor and with make up on, cough sweets in my evening bag I manage to keep going till 11 pm. and am so glad I made the effort, because the Macmillan Fund Raising team headed by Steve Dourass work tirelessly to help people like me.

The next day I had all my family and grandchildren to a pre christmas dinner celebration as I sadly won't be seeing them on Christmas Day. The candles were lit, the crackers were pulled and we exchanged presents and the three grandchildren went home tired but happy and their grandmothere felt the same, I'm obviously getting better!

Monday. I went with my son Justin to see Ben and Nicky in their Nativity Play, "The Whoops a Daisy Angel". It was just delightful, I hope, that in this changing world, schools never stop putting on the Story of Xmas, the children seem to love performing and there is always one that has you in tucks of laughter. Long may it continue to add to the Magic of Xmas.

Wednesday, I felt almost human again and our yoga group went to The Oak, Hockley Heath for our Xmas lunch. It has been completely renovated and what a beautiful place with excellent food and marvellous service, I can't wait to go back again.

Then John's son Mike arrived from America to stay with us for a couple of days, it is always lovely when he comes. Although he and Louise and our grandson Alexander live so far away in Washington they send so many photos on the computer of their experiences, so despite the miles we are able to share their lives.

Today we have travelled to Rutland to spend the day with John's other son Richard and family. He is a wonderful cook and we shared another happy pre Christmas dinner and the sacks of presents we bought for the children were a great success, but we are off at 5.30am tomorrow so we have packing to do. It is midnight and I have just finished after searching the loft for my reindeer antlers and John's Father Xmas hat complete with bell which he is refusing to wear, but we will see!!

Toronto is -16 degrees and it has thick snow so we are going to have a white Xmas. Each Xmas, I think how lucky I am to be here to share it with John, my family and friends and I know this will be a special one, I really hope yours is too.