Jeremy

On the same day that Japan had their earthquake, we had an equally devastating experience. As a child Jeremy had mild epilepsy, but after the first tablet had no more attacks for over 20 years - until Wednesday 9th March, when he had such a massive seizure that he managed to fracture and dislocate both shoulders, while sitting on the sofa! The attack lasted so long that we needed an ambulance, and he needed drugs to stop it. He was taken to the hospital in Lillehammer ( a good hour's drive from here) because they have a good neurological department there. The severe spasms made his muscles give off an enzyme that was at such a high level that he was in danger of kidney failure. He also inhaled food or vomit during the attack, so had pneumonia. He was in intensive care for the next four days, and was barely conscious for the first two. When he was well enough to be moved he was transferred to the neurological ward where all sorts of tests were done. His shoulders have been very painful, so he needs to keep them as still as possible until Tuesday, when he gets an operation. His left shoulder is a mess, so he may need an artificial joint, and he has been told that his shoulders will never be the same again.

So there he is, patiently waiting for things to happen, desperately hoping to be well enough for our planned trip to England 6th April, and having plenty of time to ponder on what the future will be like.

Poor Jeremy!

Happy birthday 3

This little man (who looks awfully like his daddy in this picture) is one year old today. He has given his granny and grandad 365 days of pure joy.
Have a happy one Espen! See you soon!

A very happy birthday 2

Reidar had his 60th birthday on Saturday and we celebrated in style. I hired a local hall and invited over 40 people. Due to long distances, sickness (two in hospital and one sudden death!) we were 39 who sat down at my carefully decorated tables and enjoyed my bountiful ( a lot made and/or provided by friends and family) cold buffet. There were many speeches, a specially composed song in Reidar's honour, and several sketches performed by his acting friends. There was lots of laughter and constant chatter. No-one looked bored or left-out. Reidar especially loved the big screen with pictures of himself, and the slide-show of his acting career. I bought him a hat that looks like a birthday cake, complete with candles (musical too!) and he got lots of presents and flowers. He got enough cash to buy a very decent new computer. He smiled and chatted all evening and ate like a horse. We were able to give everyone the good news that the cancer specialist told us that the chemo is working and his tumour is greatly reduced in size. He'll start a new course of treatment on Thursday.
Planning the party was a lot of work and worry, but was one of the best I've been to, because there was so much entertainment. When I started I wanted to make it extra special because it could well be his last birthday, but now things are looking brighter I think he may have a few more birthdays yet - lots, I hope!

A happy birthday

I thought Reidar wouldn't be able to do much about my birthday, so was prepared for the usual anticlimax, but the day before, while we were at the hospital for Reidar's chemo, my friend Annabel rang and said she was sorry she and Jørgen wouldn't be able to come the next day. She also asked how many would be coming. I gave a vague answer and began to wonder a little.

On my birthday Reidar went off early in a taxi, first to more chemo, then on to his daytime session at the hospice. I was eating breakfast when he rang to say he had the car-keys in his pocket, leaving me high and dry with no way of dashing about, doing my planned pre-Christmas errands. I rang a good friend and she drove me to Hamar to fetch the keys. In the afternoon I got a crypical text-message from May Sissel telling me to dress up in something nice, and to expect her at 18.30. After that there was a whirlwind of activity in the kitchen, and the guests began to arrive. Reidar had invited a whole crowd of friends and we were 16 people who spent a very happy evening with good food and drink. I got lots of presents, flowers and, as you can see, cakes. All this was planned in secret and I knew nothing until the day before. It was my first surprise party and I loved it!

Family

This is Reidar and his family, taken on the occasion of his mother's 90th birthday. In the back row are Sigrid, Else, Dagfinn, Wendy and Margrethe.

Nanna wasn't too keen to be celebrated, but soon enjoyed being surrounded by her six children,

and various grandchildren and great-grandchilden. A few were missing, but the majority were there, and even a couple of dogs.

I wonder what my 90th will be like? I wonder what my 60th will be like?

Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, and in every traditional norwegian home a six-armed (electric) candlestick will be placed in the window, also often a star-shaped lamp is hung in another window.

These will shine all through December and into the New Year until Twelvth Night -the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th, when all the decorations are tidied away. Some even hold out till the 20th day, but I think that's something Reidar made up, to makeChristmas last longer. A lot of people also put lights on a tree in the garden. All these lights make the houses look so pretty and cheerful in this the darkest time of the year. The sun rose at 08.53 today, and set at 15.15, which gives us 12 hours 16 min. less daylight than we had at midsummer. It always makes me sad to drive in the dark when the lights have been put away, and I miss the friendly glow in the kitchen at night. So much so that I bought another small lamp which sits in the kitchen window and shines day and night to drive away the darkness.

On Wednesday we can open the first window on the advent calendar - always a reminder to we busy housewives who have gifts to buy and wrap, cards to write and send, rooms to clean and decorate, cookies and treats to bake, and 101 other small tasks to do before the big day. By the time we find time to sit down and catch our breath it's all over, the sun has "turned" and the days have started getting a little bit longer every day. Hooray!

...and some showers

Life is not all sunshine, and we do need the rain to survive.

What we don't need is bad health. On June 4th 1977 I stood beside Reidar in St Gwinear parish church and promised to stand by him for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health til death do us part.

Now the time has come to make good my promise. His illness has taken a turn for the worse, and he is in hospital. A series of constant infections and a lot of unnecessary pain have left him tired out. Now he's got good pain relief, is able to sleep for longer periods, has had a blood transfusion, and his poorly kidneys are getting the attention they deserve. He looks rested and healthier than he has done for some time, and should be allowed to come home soon. If he continues to gain strength he should be able to get some more chemotherapy or radiation treatment. This will not, unfortunately cure his cancer, but will, hopefully prolong his life.

I know that I've kept my head buried in the sand, and every day that he's been able to get out of bed and lead a fairly normal life has been a day that I can pretend that the cancer has lost its power. Stupid really, but it was nice while it lasted. Time for some loin-girding, and doing all that I can to make his life pleasant, comfortable and safe.