Page 124 - She's One Crazy Lady!

Mum’s botto“
threatened to write to our local MP too, to complain!)
And, later, when she started the Crazy Hats Charity, we laughed
because I couldn’t even buy a paper without her face staring out at me! So, if I have to sum up, before I end up taking over all this chapter, we have had lots of laughs but, personally, no tears because I knew she was strong and would come through. In her case, I think life after cancer has made her crazier, but a nicer crazier.”
The right time to tell Mum and Dad came about on the Monday. I went into school as normal and had been taken off timetable so that Des and I could work together to discuss future plans. As mentioned, he was leaving Highfields at the end of term to go and ‘trouble-shoot’ at another school, so we had a lot to sort out.
m lip started to quiver. What was she thinking? How I wanted to give her, and Dad, a big hug, but I got in quick saying I didn’t
However, I could not settle and at lunchtime I knew I had to go and see Mum and Dad. I told Des I was going out; he didn’t ask where – he knew.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I assured him I would be alright.
It was very rare that I should go to see my parents in the middle of a working day, and they were surprised to see me standing on the doorstep. As usual, they were listening to the lunchtime news so I asked if I could turn the volume down as there was something I wanted to tell them. Thinking again, of how Mr Stewart told me the news, and how I told the children and staff, I adopted the same head on approach and said that I had been for some tests at the hospital, and that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt very calm.
want any fu”
Mum’s bottom lip started to quiver. What was she thinking? How I wanted to give her, and Dad, a big hug, but I got in quick saying I didn’t want any fuss, everything was being organised and the medical people were great, especially Mr Stewart. (Mum knew I loved men dressed in smart suits!) I would be well-looked after and would only need a small operation.
Phew!
In a composed voice, Mum asked if my brother and sisters knew.
“Not yet, I’ll tell them tonight.”
“You won’t!” She said sternly. “I’m your mother. I’ll tell them. Leave that to me.” What could I say? Her tone of voice told me not to object – this was so unlike Mum. My heart went out to her, knowing how worried and helpless she must have felt. Later, when I spoke with Cas, Jimmy, and Andrew they were, thankfully, quite laid back about it and said that Mum was quite calm in passing on such news. Mum had instilled in them that I did not want any fuss.
ss.
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