Thursday 29 October 2009

Roses From America


I am at a loss as to what to say really. Behind the scenes I have been really worried because a couple of months ago I discovered a lump in my groin and after leaving it a few weeks hoping it would go away (as you do), I went to the doctor who thought it was a hernia and that I would need an operation.
Before that happened I was to have an ultra scan and see a Consultant in our local hospital. That happened last Saturday and I was told then that it definitely wasn't a hernia, so I was worried.
Today I was summoned to the hospital quite urgently and was told that they think I have a lymphoma (cancer) and they have booked me in for surgery on Monday. This is in order that they might look at the gland in order to see what they are dealing with.

I have told one or two people before this post and Jackie from Teacher's Pet, sent me these lovely cyber flowers from America which I thought was very kind of her. (I feel quite pleased that I managed to get them into this post unaided and everyone knows that I am a technophobe.)

Anyway........ I am very grateful for prayers from everyone who can spare them and please all of you keep on praying that something can be done for me.
I am not sure when the results of the operation will get back to me or when my treatment will start.
We already have enough to worry about in the family as my husband has been battling cancer for seven years and my sister in law too.
I have always had to be the strong one and help my family out and now this has come along and messed up everything. My lovely son, Sam has promised to help me through it for a few days while I have the operation and he has promised to get the decorations finished in my kitchen.
I am going to find it very hard telling my daughter the news, as she lost her husband last year and my grandsons lost their father. They are just beginning to get their lives back together again and now they have to cope with this too. Please pray for them too.

Sorry to be a damper but I am quite bowled over with the grief that my family are going to feel. Yes...... it is a kind of grief even though no one has died. You see I have been there before....... when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my husband with his cancer. It is not the patient who suffers the most. It is their family. Somehow it seems to be worse for them.
This is not the post I was going to send out today.
I have several in my drafts folder but they can wait until next week.




48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Maggie. I am lost for words too. We should not worry at this stage, we should hope and pray this will turn out to be okay, and you will get through the surgery, coming out of it with a clean bill of health.

My love and positive vibes are with you, and you are very much in my prayers, along with your lovely family.

K xx

Eddie Bluelights said...

My dearest sister. I am so sorry about this. I will write again later but I am off to take my wife to the Oncology Department to see what's what with her secondary breast cancer. God bless you love and you know I will pray bery hard for you and Harry ~ Eddie

Valerie said...

Maggie, this is sad news. Please know that I shall be praying for you and hoping that all is not as you fear. God bless you and keep you safe.

Anonymous said...

Take it one step at a time, first the biopsy-could be many things, Maggie, don't worry till you have to-gather up all your strength.

*(&&^%@$$£_"£**o+^%!!!!

VioletSky said...

Oh Maggie, I am so sorry. This must be a very frightening time for you. And this must have been a difficult post to write. I will be thinking of you and sending prayers and positive thoughts your way, for all of you.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, Maggie...I am praying, praying, praying...and I WILL NOT stop!!!!!! My heart is breaking for you!!!! Sending you ALL my love, and big, big cyber hugs!! Janine XOXO

Suburbia said...

I can't find words Maggie, though I agree with Moannie.

I am thinking of you and sending all the best things I can think of to you and your family.

You are strong.

I wish I could do something.

Sx

Irene said...

Dear Maggie,

I'm so bowled over by this. I'm quite filled with grief. We just must assume that all will be well and that the operation is going to take care of it, but I know that you want more assurance than that and I hope you will get it. I'm so very sad, but I'm sending you all my love and all the positive thoughts that I have and please, keep strong, Maggie, and positive.

Nessa said...

Maggie, my prayers to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Maggie lets hope its something not too serious. But if it turns out to be cancerous then you can fight it and win You are brave and positive and my prayers and positive force are always in your corner
Just keep positive xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jinksy said...

My good neighbour has just finished eight sessions of chemotherapy for Lymphoma, following her discovery of lumps under her arms. The treatment seems to have worked wonderfully for her, so please God you too will have as good an outcome. Much love to you and your family to help keep you strong. xxx

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Maggie, I am so, so sorry that you and your family have to go through this. With all that you have been through this last few years you will alreadyd know the importance of living "one day at a time".

Each day has a hidden treasure, it's just that sometimes it's hard to find! In the middle of all this trauma my wish for you is that you manage to find your hidden treasure each day. You deserve it. My prayers go our to you all.

MARY G said...

You are in my thoughts and in my prayers.

Akelamalu said...

Oh my dear I am so sorry to hear this. Please accept my prayers, positive thoughts and the huge amount of Reiki light I am sending to you as I type. xxxx

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh Maggie, I'm so sorry for you and your family. This is not what you need. You will be in good hands and since they caught it early, the surgery will be a breeze. Trust your doctors; and stay positive. No use worrying any more than necessary. Our prayers are on the way.

Jeni said...

There's no two ways about it that getting a diagnosis of cancer is a bit of a kick in the gut -for the patient and also, for the family as well. My family tree's medical history is terrible -cancer on both sides -both my parents, my mom's baby sister, one of my dad's brothers and his baby sister too -and my dad's baby sister was the only one who was a survivor of cancer -17 years with a colostomy! (She passed 18 months ago, primarily of "old age" but not of the cancer. I am also a cancer survivor -6 1/2 years now -and so far, so good anyway.
But my best advice to you is go with whatever the treatments are that the doctors recommend and then just keep a very, very positive attitude. We will all join forces in the prayers department for you and for those in your family that they have the fortitude it takes then to help keep you going. My family doctor, the surgeon I had, the oncologist too -all told me if I had any problems -even if I just needed someone to speak to -that they were available anytime. (Not that I had need to use them in that manner but sure was nice to hear them say that and I hope your doctors are open with you in the same manner as it does help a lot to know they are very supportive then too. Keep telling yourself you can do it and you can beat this! Over and over, even after you are blue in the face, keep the mantra going. I'll do the same here for you too! Peace, my good friend.

Wendy said...

Dear Maggie,
My heart goes out to you at this worrisome time. I am glad you are sharing this with our blogger friends. Don't apologize for letting your true feelings out. We are here to help and support one another. I have personally felt the strength and power of bloggers prayers. It is awesome!!

Holding you in my thoughts and keeping you and your family in my prayers.
CyberHugs
p.s. - those roses are lovely!

cheshire wife said...

Oh Maggie, what a blow. I am so sorry to read your post. Let's hope that whatever it is, that it has been caught early and is treatable. I shall be thinking about you.

CWx

Mimi said...

Maggie,you poor wee pet, I'm sending every bit of love, light, positive energy that I can collect on it's way to you now.
I can't imagine what you're going through, the waiting must be awful.
The only thing I can offer is to take it one minute at a time- i.e ten minutes time does not exist. I don't know if it'll help, it works for me.
And a little hug for you, cos they never go astray- (((((((Maggie)))))))

softinthehead said...

Magge - just know you are in my thoughts - take care and be strong :)

Jackie said...

I know what prayer can do.
Let's continue to gather around Maggie May in the name of the Lord...
Maggie May, I'm thinking only positive thoughts for you and about you.
Love,
Jackie

Cheffie-Mom said...

I'm so sorry, Maggie. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

So sorry to hear of this. Take good care of yourself and you will be in my thoughts.

Karen said...

Maggie, I just hopped over from Smitten Image and read this post. You will be in my prayers. So much seems to be happening in your family. May God give the doctors wisdom and heal your body.

Blessings

Thumbelina said...

Oh my goodness Maggie I am so sorry. I am sorry for the diagnosis, for the grief your family will feel and mostly that I have not been there for you and have so much on at the moment I am not getting to emails and blogs like I would want to.

I am praying for you and your family and I just hope everything goes as well as it can. I think especially of Debs. All of you in my thoughts. Take care and many hugs.

What About The Girl? said...

Oh no, Maggie May, no,no no!!!
This made me so sad.
I said a prayer for Eddie and his wife this morning.
I shall offer one for you too.

RNSANE said...

Oh, Maggie! You already have over two dozen comments offering their love and support but I had to respond to your very brave post with my own warm embrace and prayers that all will be well. Your blogs enrich our lives and we will bombard heaven with prayers that you will continue in good health to continue enriching us.

Anonymous said...

Oh...Dear Sweet Maggie, I am at a loss for the right words. You have become a cyber friend in the this blog community and my heart is heavy to know this is what your heart is carrying. I am adding you to my daily prayers and I never say that unless I mean it. I am so sorry to hear this has been happening in your family. Sending you a big hug from across the world, and I would cook dinner for you next week if only I could!

((((((((((Mere))))))))))))

Ayak said...

Maggie...I'm sorry to hear about this...what a worry for you.

I'm not religious so I don't pray, but I will keep you in my heart and my thoughts and hope very much for a positive outcome.

Chin up xxxxx

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Maggie, I am shocked to read this and more than a little upset for you. Your family truly has been through the mill, cancer wise. The shock of the news has no doubt left you reeling and you are all over the place. I hope your news is the very best news you can get and that the hospital are being cautious rather than right. Love and much hope being sent to you. I will pray for you and the family and that you have the strength as a family unit to come through this with a positive outcome. X

Unseen India Tours said...

Everyone is praying !!

Rose said...

Dear Maggie, I am so glad you shared this with us, because I know I speak for everyone when I say we all are here for you. I am not surprised you are most concerned about your family, because that is the kind of caring person you are. But your family is going to be there for you, and you need to focus on doing whatever it takes to get through this. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers this week.

Hugs,
Rose

Unknown said...

OH Maggie. I am so very sorry to hear this! I will pray for you that it is not cancerous. Your family has been throught SO MUCH! I remember the story of your son-in-law and I have to agree. It's the family members who suffer most. Just the thought of cancer scares the pants of everyone. Hopefully the tests will come back soon and be negative. Please take care and think positive thoughts!!!!

Brian Miller said...

maggie...sorry to hear...know that we are praying...

Bernie said...

I am so sorry for all that you are going through....know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I don't know why some people's burdens are so much greater than others but God knows and that is what is important....I pray for you and all your family....:-) Hugs

Sandi McBride said...

Maggie darlin', I have a great feeling that you're going to be just fine...we're offering up healing prayers for you and God can do anything!
hugs and prayers
Sandi

Maggie May said...

Thank you very, very much for all your kind comments and it has meant so much to me to have such wonderful friends from all over the world.
You have been my inspiration and self pity is now being overtaken by a fighting spirit!
Thank you for putting up with my whinging. I sometimes have to go through that to get out the other side!

Much love Maggie X

Valerie said...

We all go through that, Maggie. It's the only way to get to the other side. Hugs for you. Keep that chin high.

Unknown said...

Oh Miss Maggie! I am praying for you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers all this weekend. Please let us know what you find.

Marguerite said...

Hi Maggie, I'm over from Eddie's place, where I heard about your illness. You are such a positive, lovely person and I am so happy to meet you! I did not realize that you were Eddie's sister, until now, but I can see that you share a lot of great familial traits. I am sending you many prayers and good wishes for a favorable outcome and returning good health. Blessings!

SandyCarlson said...

Maggie,
I am here after a crazy week. I am sorry I did not read this sooner. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are beautiful. I live in hope for you.

Robynn's Ravings said...

Oh Maggie. I'm so very sorry and apologize profusely for not being here sooner and hearing of your illness. I did see you over at my place and know you understand that I have been gone a great deal this week with my stepfather going on hospice. YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS and your sweet and loving support to me will go on blessing me. BIG HUGS to you and may God heal you! Our neighbor developed lymphoma and is now COMPLETELY recovered. Praying this will be your outcome very soon, sweet friend.

Hilary said...

My dear friend, Maggie. I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties that your family is enduring lately. Please know that I am sending my very best healing thoughts your way. Keep strong and I know you'll be fine. You're in my very best thoughts.

introspection said...

Joining everyone in sending my best wishes and all my prayers your way Maggie! Have just begun reading your blog, and I know what a wonderful person you are.
Let us all presume things are not going to be very bad on Monday..!
If they do turn out bad (God forbid) we'll be able to fight it together. You are in my prayers Maggie.
Hugs!

Mimi said...

Maggie, when you've a minute, would you email me at kcraroma@gmail.com, I have something I want to snail mail to you, mimi

Working Mum said...

Oh Maggie, I've only just caught up with your last three posts and found this. Moannie is right, one step at a time. I will be thinking of you. WM x

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Dear Maggie - I've been out of touch with blogging lately as you know and have just caught up with your news. I am so sorry that you have this worry and it is so typical of you to be fretting how it will affect your family. Sending you a hug and my love and best wishes and pray you will get good news. Think positive my friend. A x

nanatrish said...

I have been taking a break and now I read this and find out you have been ill. I am so sorry and I will be praying for you. You have always been so supportive of me during my illnesses and I pray the Lord will touch you and bring you through this in such a special way. I am wondering if your surgery was today. Please let me hear from you. If you feel up to writing me, please do. trishw824@gmail.com please take care, love ya, Trish