Q is for QUIET

The following is from a post from Round 9:

When I was in Grade 7, my Mom attended the annual Parent/Teacher Conferences because my report card had indicated that I was "reticent" in class. I had never heard that word before and was, therefore, terrified that I was in some sort of trouble. I later learned it meant "quiet," but my mother could not believe the teacher had written the comment for the correct student. However, it appears I was indeed "reticent" in class - quite the opposite of what I was like at home. We all had a good laugh and I never again worried about what the teachers wrote on my report cards.

I am naturally a very optimistic person, full of good humour, and with an internal strength when confronted with life's indomitable difficulties. However, there have been times (as my regular readers are aware) when life has knocked me down flat on my face. It has been during those times when I have needed the quiet moments to build up the strength to go forward. 

Now this:

My dear Lorne and I have been dealt another blow - the doctors have found 2 spots on his liver and he needs 3 months of pre-op chemotherapy to be followed by surgery in August.  Some of my regular readers will recall that when he had chemo in 2010 for colon cancer, it almost destroyed our relationship.  However, we worked hard and are now happy and content together.  We have talked it out and know what to expect this time - both physically and emotionally - so are prepared for what is to come in the next several months.   He has already had his first treatment and is not feeling well - at all.  But the doctors have assured us that they need him to be as strong and healthy as possible for the surgery that will follow so the treatment shouldn't be as hard on him as the last time.  Plus it's half the time, too.

So whenever I have a quiet moment, I send up prayers for him. And I ask that you might also do the same, even though you only know of him through me (and I'm only a "virtual" friend at that).  I do know one thing - he has lots to live for and hopefully, that will pull him through.  We just filled in a questionnaire for the hospital and one thing that was asked was "What do you enjoy doing to take your mind off your worries and stress?"  He answered: photography, working on his car, and taking the dog for walks.  He also enjoys gardening, but apparently that might be too physically difficult for him because of the PIC line in his arm.  So he's feeling a bit down about that.  But today he took the dog for a swim!  Well, Lorne didn't swim, but the dog did, and he really enjoyed watching her go for the sticks he threw with his good arm.

Anyway, he's having a quiet time of his own right now while the dog has her nap.  I will leave you with some photos of him enjoying his time with Tegan. She's his "brown-eyed girl" you know! 

I'm sending quite enthusiastic thanks to our quaint Mrs. Nesbitt, creator of ABC Wednesday, to our quirky Roger, our current administrator, and to all the team who quietly help out behind the scenes.