The support hammock

17.4.18

I feel as if I'm lying about in a comfy hammock made of people linked together caring for me and holding me up. It was a bit hairy getting into the hammock, and it's a long way above terra firma but now I'm there I feel pretty relaxed. How horrible it must be to be in this situation at an older age, with fewer friends left and family maybe elsewhere.

There are the professionals including a little team of Clinical Nurse specialists (CNSs) who are pretty much at the end of a phone. There's the Macmillan Advice and Info centre, also at the end of a phone, but with a physical presence in the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre. There's a 'Living Room' there - at least a couple of meanings wrapped up in that  name I think - where you can hang out, and make tea or coffee without having to wash your mug up afterwards - just put it in the dishwasher! Very useful when you're there for things with long waits, although I now have the Grant Museum of Zoology in my sights for further distraction around the corner. Have already skimmed the British Library Treasures exhibition and the Wellcome Foundation's weirdness - complex structures made out of cattle insemination straws anyone? Anyway - been there - used the loo - twice.

The family have been great - Christopher a completely stalwart leaning post and source of calm reason and Luke and Maddy hugely mature and available and loving - so much more than I was at their age. My brother and sister-in-law have seamlessly taken on nearly all of the task of looking after my mum, as I simply can't do anything in person at present. The dog has also been solicitous at times - she must appreciate me being around more and 'setting clear boundaries'.

I've spoken to people I've never met who have been in the boat I'm in - family of friends of friends, colleagues of tutors - who've given their time to talk to me about their experience and have only made me feel better. I'm much better with the known than the unknown.

Wonderful friends, of old, of work, of bookclub, of dog walking, of allotments, of community orcharding - you know who you are. Accompanying me to appointments and exhibitions, chatting, messaging, sending cards and postcards, emails and food, giving lifts and companionship, drinking  café coffees, talking to doctor friends, even allotment volunteering - even in the rain!!! I can't stress enough how fantastic you have been.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE!

News flash - tempt fate - it is Day 12 and my hair has not started falling out. It could start tomorrow but my fingers are firmly crossed.
I may not have to become bewigged, but here are some sample previews, just in case:

You know that thing about plastic surgery rates going up because phone cameras lenses make people's noses look bigger....