Thursday, 23 February 2012
Thankful Thursday : From Stress to Strength
Linking up with Kate for Thankful Thursday this week - there is one thing that I am extremely thankful for - not relating to "From Stress to Strength" and it is that my Dad's scan came back and showed that his cancer has not spread to any other organs. He is booked in next Friday to have another radical neck dissection to cut out the melanoma in his neck before going on their holiday to South Africa that was postponed when they found the new lump in his neck.
Relating to "From Stress to Strength" I had a long think about it trying to choose what to write about. Something that really sticks in my head is something that happened with K was about 6 months old.
Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not the most patient person going - in fact, I would probably have to be one of the most impatient people I know. That aside, when K was about 5 or 6 months old - one night she started crying. And she wouldn't stop. She cried and cried and cried. We carried her up and down the passage of our home trying to quieten her down. She had a clean nappy. She had been fed. What was the problem ? I had been walking up and down with her for about an hour when I realised that I had been patient with her - I hadn't shouted - I hadn't screamed - I had calmly held her and walked with her. It is one of the times I recall thinking "So this is what being a parent is about. Finding patience where there is normally none. Walking miles and miles up and down the passage trying to quieten a crying child while having no idea of why they are crying." At about 1am she started with a temperature and so A and I took turns sitting with her in a bath of cool water trying to get her temperature down. Then she started to throw up. At 6am we called the peadiatrican who had already left for the hospital so we called him there and he told us to bring her down IMMEDIATELY. He tore strips off of us for not calling him sooner. He explained how quickly a baby that small could suffer brain damage due to high temps and vomiting. We were suitable chastised. Luckily, K was fine - she spent 4 days in hospital on a drip before they sent her home as right as rain.
There have been other times when I needed patience with her but I have to be honest that as she has got older, my patience is probably not as in evidence as it was when she was little. Having said that, I have found myself, on many occasions, being thankful that I am not as impatient as I used to be. I draw on it when I need to - if I don't need to, I can be as impatient as I ever was !!!!
Thanks to Kate again for hosting - Thankful Thursday !!
Have the best Friday ever !
TFTD : If people and events can determine your happiness, they can determine your unhappiness. Determine your own happiness and let people and events take care of themselves.
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Amen to both events!!! I am so thankful about the results of the scans this week - I know it was probably stressing you out more than you ever let on xx
ReplyDeleteps what an awesome TFTD! Love it !
Thanks Lyndal - you are right - deep down I was really worried about how I would deal with it if it had spread because I knew I would have to be the strong one BUT thankfully we don't have to deal with that and only a neck dissection which he has had before and got through it really well. He is talking about not having radiation treatment this time and, on one level I totally agree because he had a really rough time of it the last time but on another level, I don't want to pass up the opportunity of making sure that if a cancer cell is left behind, we make sure it is killed off. A hard decision that will have to made in a few weeks time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by - love, hugs and positive energy and wishes for a fantastic Friday !
Me
So so glad to read of te results, really hope your Dad enjoys the trip.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh so scary to have a little baby so sick, we wet through similar when my eldest was 6 weeks old - it was just horrible. But you did all the right things and isn't it funny how those moments strike you as 'real' parenting moments? I'm the same :)
xox
THanks Kate - yes, it's funny how when I feel like I am really losing the plot with my patience now, I think back to that night and realise that, if I have to, I can find the patience that I need.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about your father. I'm so glad they're able to now go on their planned holiday. I think that's awful that you were told off by your doctor. Honestly! What do they expect! You're frowned upon if you rock up and it turns out to be something benign. They should be more encouraging and more accepting and then people wouldn't hesitate before making the decision to go to hospital. I'm glad it worked out well for you. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic story of stress to strength. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear the good news that your father's cancer has not spread!! that is something to be truly thankful about! thanks for linking up with me this week!!
ReplyDeleteOh...that is scary about K. How does anyone know these things as a new parent? Four days in he hospital is a long time! And excellent point. I'm also impatient but have gotten SO much better since having kids.
ReplyDelete