I Didn’t Really Know Where Else To Put This, But Here Goes.

I’ve been at my sister’s house this afternoon, with my family, and they’ve never felt as precious to me as they do right now. A week ago last Friday, my mum phoned me to tell me that my sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’d occasionally wondered how people dealt with such situations, and I guess I’m starting to understand a little better now. After the initial feeling (which is more than a little like being punched in the stomach), they just get on with things, utilise their reserves of inner strength, and carry as they did before.

She’s 44, my sister, and she told my nieces yesterday. I don’t know how much they understand about it, but it can scarcely be less than I do.  All I know is that it’s small, that they’ve caught it early, and that she’s in the best possible hands. Her family are close by, and everything (at the moment, touch wood, etc.) is in her favour. Also, she’s a stubborn old boot who doesn’t let trifling matters like illness get in her way. Her first operation is at the end of next week. We’ll see. Don’t, you know, worry about me. I’ll be fine.

If you’re a friend of mine reading this and I hadn’t told you already, don’t be offended. I’ve had just over a week to deliberate over it. I’m not much of a one for public announcements, and I’m certainly not going to be keeping this place (or any other) up to speed with any updates. Also, I have had exactly the same conversation with everyone that I have told. I’m not sure that I can have that conversation much more. All I know is that, well, I kind of wanted to tell people and didn’t really know how to. Also, I wanted to get off the chest that I love my family very much, and that my thoughts are with all of them. It’s funny, you know. I don’t think I’ve said that enough in the past. Other than that, there isn’t much more that I want to say on the subject right now.