Page 108 - She's One Crazy Lady!

in my bowel that acted every time it saw food – they said the laxative must have washed it away. I was fine! But, oh, the total embarrassment when I got up from the table – the air and the fluid having to escape!!
This time I was going for my boobs.
Inwardly, tension was building, for me and for those around me. I had no idea what to expect. What will be, will be, was my philosophy. But then we had a family crisis with Dad. Mum was finding it really hard to look after him, as Dad wandered, often getting lost, and he was getting to be quite ‘verbal’. Mum also had her health worries; her eyesight was failing; she’d recently had a stroke and prior to that had had a knee replacement. Mum was an exceptionally strong person and never complained; she was determined that she could, and would, look after Dad, for as long as it took. However, on the Friday before I was due to go for my tests on the Monday, Mum rang me at school, something she only ever did if there was a ‘serious’ problem’. Her voice sounded shaky. Dad had gone walkabout and had been found by the police, by the lake, at Wicksteed Park, where he would walk every day. I could feel my heart pounding. Mum went on to say that Dad had been found in a hypo – he was diabetic – but medics had revived him and had brought him home to her. Dad was alert and totally unaware of what had happened. Mum was near to breaking. I asked her if she wanted me to speed up the process of getting Dad the help he truly needed, for behind the scenes, we had had Dad assessed and was just waiting for the word from Mum, as hard as it was, for him to be moved in to care. “Not yet”, she said, “we’ll see”. ‘We’ll see’, a phrase used so often by Mum. I felt physically sick and so, so sorry for her. I should have been there with her – and for her.
Despite desperately wanting to confide in Mum about my problem, how could I add to her worries? I couldn’t.
This was a cry for help. I hope I was strong for her and ensured family members knew what the situation was with Dad so that, between us, we could give her as much help as was needed. I was in the office when the phone call came and suddenly found myself in tears; feelings of carrying an enormous load and under so much pressure. I felt drained. But not for long. Secretary Sue was soon beside me and we talked things through. This was so unlike me. Back in control, I turned when there was a knock on the door. “Miss Hooper, can you come? We’ve got a problem in the playground”. Life went on. Des called me back in, for he had seen the tears but had said nothing. We had another of our heart-to-heart chats. Once again, he cheered me up.
“An ear to listen, an eye to see, lips to smile, a shoulder to lean on, arms to hug, a heart to support.” (Des)
I knew he was nervous. All the staff were quiet. Word had obviously spread. One by one, all the staff came to see me, quietly wishing me all the best for Monday. I felt so privileged to be amongst so many good friends, for they were more than colleagues. Surely this lump couldn’t be anything more than a benign lump? It couldn’t be. I hadn’t got time
“An ear to listen, an eye
to see, lips
to smile, a shoulder to lean on, arms to hug, a heart to support. ”
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