My apologies for not posting more regularly; I got behind in postings and the soup pot of life started filling up. After the pleasure of my in-laws 50th Anniversary the news that my husbands grandmother was palliative was thrown into the mix, followed by the funeral and the family lunch afterwards. A lot of people think that I have an outgoing personality but over the past few years I've found it increasingly challenging to be with new people. Part of it, I'm sure, is that our life tends to be so full that down time with people who I'm close to is treasured. Thankfully, Keeley and I sat with Bruce's Uncle and Aunt whom I do know and love so making conversation was easy; Bruce sat with the other relatives and he had a great time too.
Looking at it from the culinary aspect of my life soup a few really large chunks of tough meat were thrown in next. The week after the funeral I got a disconcerting call from someone in the Ministry of Health telling me that their Patient Care office had a complaint about me and the department I run. Solving the systemic issue took a couple days of working full time which I'm certainly not used too.
At the same time a particular hospital department that has been making leaps and bounds in moving forward with Family Centred Care took a huge step back towards the "medical model". That chunk of meat fell uncontrollably into the pot splashing me right in the face. The next couple of weeks haven then been a mish mash of things. The directive from another part of the Ministry asking me to become involved with a "delicate" family situation was a bit of a surprise, then came the not so good news about a close workmate who is going through a very difficult family situation, concern for my daughter-in-law who was slammed with a whole lot of family bad news, sadness for the two friends who got bad medical news and sorrow when a friends mother and an elderly friend in our congregation died. Throw in a full time 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday project at work that had site wide implications for families that week and it is no wonder there was little time for blogging.
It was crazy busy but it hasn't all been bad. Keeley and I took the long weekend and headed down to Seattle for one day of shopping and two days of pure relaxation. We hit Deception Pass on the way home which is always a place where I can let absolutely everything go.
There was also the wedding of one of girl's who had been best-friends with Brenna. I thought it might be an emotional hurdle watching this last friend of hers get married but it was pleasant; very, very pleasant and all I felt was pure happiness for her, her husband and her family. I really should send a thank you note for their careful planning of the seating. We got to sit at dinner with two old friends who I have a lot in common with and don't get to visit with often. Then to our absolute delight another table mate who arrived late proved to be new acquaintance whom we'd only met a month ago but with whom there was that "instant" click of friendship. Throw in a little bit of dancing, a couple tears shed when the groom started to cry during the speeches and the soup was pretty tasty that evening!
Then 10 days later her brother got married so we attended another lovely wedding which you could call icing on the cake or some additional flavouring to the soup. Our convention followed, we spent a few days in Kamloops which of course always clears my head and thinking. Spending time with my best friend is always balm for my soul. It was during this time that I was able to make some decisions about the future of my current job, my plans for my author website & online business and future goals when it comes to writing. Clarity is always a good and tasty thing.
We had a lovely week of holidays and visit with my husbands parents shortly thereafter and I planned to start blogging again. Then we got news that my congregation friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2008 was in the hospital with organ failure. Since then I've been either at the hospital or assisting to get things set up in their home. K**** is considered palliative but she has a strong will to live and despite her doctors prognosis she is determined to extend her life.
My summer soup pot is overflowing with experiences, both good and not so good. One thing is for sure, it will certainly be a soup/summer to remember.
Salynne ©2010
Hugs!
Earlier this year an acquaintance was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Several times I took her to an alternative clinic for IV treatment and to the Cancer Clinic for Chemo. Her radiation treatments finished in early September and then a week later she found a lump in her neck. Apparently, the cancer never stopped growing and now it is stage 4 galloping breast cancer. The doctor has said that she will have cancer for the rest of her life and they have put her on long-term low dose chemo. She has improved and she says she is feeling better. Life goes on and she is living with cancer every day.
Last month I got word that another friend was succumbing to Cancer. She was one of BC's longest living survivors with active breast cancer. Her fight had been going on for over 20 years which gives me hope for my friend with the galloping cancer. She passed away three weeks ago surrounded by her family and loved ones. There were over 400 people at her memorial.
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