Friday, September 20, 2013

Old Lady Stitching

The problem with stitching with a bunch of old ladies is that their health, well, they're old! I know I've told you about my liberal friend with cancer in her jaw. Well, she has to have more surgery on her jaw. And I think I told you that the woman who knits beautiful lace hasn't been around in forever. She's a cancer survivor who got an infection and ended up having a stroke. She's lost a lot of memory and she can no longer knit complicated patterns which is a sin because her knitting was so beautiful. (I sent her a note *finally* and I think it drove home to her husband what a close-knit, pardon the pun, group we are.) Today when the librarian called, he gave her the health update and said that he might bring her by some Friday morning.

But the worst is my friend M. I just found out today that she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I know I've talked about how she tells stories about people I don't know, and repeats her stories about people I don't know with alarming regularity. But you know what? She always asks about Stella. She always tells me when she makes the almond cake recipe I gave her. She always asks how the silent auction is going. A few weeks ago she seemed kind of yellow when she was at stitching, and I put it down to bad self-tanner. Which, frankly, I thought was out of character, but the thing I've learned about old women is you never know what they'll try next. But it was jaundice, and she has pancreatic cancer. I'm just devastated. She'll have surgery next Monday. Please keep her, and all my ladies, in your thoughts.

17 comments:

Glenna said...

Am keeping them all in my thoughts. And the scary part about having elderly/older friends that one cherishes is the knowledge that someday (perhaps soon) it'll be you and me.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

So sorry to hear about Ms. M. I hope when I'm a much older old lady that I have young people like you in my life that care about me.

Linda said...

Sending prayers, hugs and happy thoughts your way Nikki for all your friends.

Linda

Jennifer said...

While it may be sad, I do think this is a wonderful testament to friendship forged though an interest shared by very different women. You and your friends are in my thoughts.

Margaret said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. I will be sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for them all.

valerie said...

I'm sorry to hear about your old lady friends. It's hard to see people aging and getting sick. I send good thoughts their way!

Karen said...

Anna, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. I'll keep them...and you...in my thoughts.

Melissa said...

I'm so sorry about your M. In my recent blog post I wrote about a friend who has cancer but I didn't write which type. Well,it's pancreatic cancer, same as for your friend. It's sad as it's about the worst one you can get apparently. I will keep your friend in my prayers.

Susan said...

So sorry to hear about your friend.

Chris said...

I am so sorry to hear that some members of your group are dealing with such serious health issues. Sending prayers and well wishes.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

So sorry that your 'old ladies' are facing serious issues. They're very fortunate to have you in their lives, in the good times as well as the not so good.

Stitchinowl said...

So sorry to hear about your stitch group friends. Prayers for all of them. My mom is in Assisted Living and she is one of the younger ones with no serious health issues. She has had to adjust to having new friends with serious health issues or that pass away due to advanced age.
Carolyn

Sherry :o) said...

Add my prayers!

Jan Gartlan said...

How devastating. Thinking of your friend and you x

Anonymous said...

so sorry hope her surgery goes well

Cole said...

Sending lots of prayers for your friends, and for you too.

Annemarie said...

God, I'm so sorry to hear about all these miserable things happening to lovely people. You know I lost my Daddy to pancreatic cancer, so I'll be sending good thoughts her way. And your way as well, as always.