Friday 23 September 2011

A Tale Of Woe With a Happy Ending.

Sometimes you have to live through the sort of week which you would gladly wish on your worst enemy, just so you yourself didn't have to see another day of it.

And then something reminds you that in the midst of all the chaos, stress, doom and gloom there is always someone stepping up to the plate and saying: "I'll help" and nothing is quite as bad as you feared.

Thursday to Thursday has been difficult for us. Firstly, I fell ill quite suddenly and was admitted to hospital as an emergency patient. I was discharged again in the evening, but feeling rather weak and quite unable to take Beloved to the same hospital, which is about an hour's drive from home, the next day, Friday. He had an appointment to see a skin cancer specialist to assess a large and fairly deep squamous cell carcinoma on his back; not an appointment we wanted to postpone. He can no longer drive such distances because of his poor eyesight, so up stepped a Good Samaritan friend and said "I'll take him, you stay at home and rest".

I spent most of the weekend resting and felt much more myself by Monday, when the large fridge-freezer in the kitchen decided it had had enough and wilted and died. Luckily I noticed early enough that something was wrong and was able to rescue most of the frozen food and stuff it into the scullery freezer. But I don't have another fridge; butter, eggs, milk, yogurts, cheese, and all the stuff you normally never think twice about was disintegrating. "I'll take it and put it into my fridge for the moment", said a Good Samaritan, again saving the day.

Beloved and I went out and panic-bought a fridge-freezer replacement in an ordinary white goods shop, not one of the massive multiples, but one in the next little town. They delivered the next morning. Once it was sitting in its space and the delivery man had gone, I realised that its domed door made it quite awkward to get at and stick out into the room. I rang the shop and threw myself on their mercy. "Of course, we'll fetch it back. We'll lend you a small reconditioned fridge out of the shop and perhaps measure the space more carefully and together we'll find a fridge-freezer to suit."

They were to collect the replacement apparatus, a huge thing, and leave me with a small fridge on Wednesday morning. As this was also the day for Beloved's second, long-awaited, cataract operation at the day surgery clinic, we were rather pushed for time. Benno was also a problem, his arthritic joints make him slow and a liability on a long day out. I felt I had quite enough on my hands already. Good Samaritans all round stepped forward: "Yes, of course we can come early; what time will you have to leave home at the latest?" said the delivery man from the white goods shop. And "yes, I'll take Benno for the day, and I'll see to it that the fridge is switched on in time for it to be cold enough for you to come home to fresh milk for your tea", said a good friend.

And today my cleaning girl stepped up and gave the house an extra going-over so I could look after Beloved,  instead of having to get through a week's worth of household chores.

The cataract operation went well, we have a date for the skin cancer operation in three week's time and the white goods shop is exploring the possibilities of supplying me with a replacement fridge-freezer as close to the one I had before as they can.

56 comments:

  1. People can be wonderful, can't they? Just when we think the human race is deliberately ruining the planet, and crime is on the rise, etc., our faith in the goodness of human nature is restored.
    I'm sorry you were ill. I'm so sorry your husband has that thing on his back, and poor Benno has old bones, but I'm glad you have good friends, and a small shop to deal with instead of one who puts you on their list for two weeks from next Tuesday.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. glad his operation went well...my you had quite the week...here is to hoping it slows down a bit for you....

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  3. Good things happen to good people.

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  4. What an overwhelming week but how wonderful that you have dear friends and reliable business folks who care. I hope all works out for you all around.

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  5. Your wonderful post warmed my heart: in the midst of a truly terrible week, you had so much help and good will to make it all bearable. I'm so glad you both have survived your difficult week with help from your friends.People really can be so kind and considerate. Thanks for the reminder -- and the day brightener!

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  6. Just when you begin to feel like it is a cold cruel world, you are proven wrong. You are blessed to have good friends and a caring community. I hope next week is a little more carefree!

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  7. Delighted that you had an 'angel' when most you needed one.
    And most deservedly too.

    No, I am only sincere with you my friend, Friko;

    Your poetic post of last week deserved a salute. It is only my bombastic manner that makes my remarks too overblown sometimes.

    Do feel better soonest.

    Warm, fond Aloha from Waikiki;

    Comfort Spiral


    > < } } ( ° >

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  8. Sorry to hear that several 'trials' all converged in one week. Hope you are feeling better, Friko. Do take care of yourself.

    Having so many folks step up to help speaks to how much you two are respected and valued in your community.

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  9. You have some angels in your life, in human form, and I am sure you have been a Samaritan to them when needed. Without helping friends, not so much can be accomplished. The refrigerator store people sound especially kind.

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  10. Oh, my goodness, Friko. This sounds like a very challenging week, indeed. For some reason, refrigerators going on the blink elicit maximum amounts of frustration. No doubt, because it's our food source, to which we've grown accustomed, suddenly turning up mutinous.

    I am worried for you, having to have been admitted to the emergency room. And I am praying for your Beloved's upcoming operation. I don't know exactly how I'll pray. But I know when I sit down and still myself to do it, the proper thoughts will be there.

    (I am grateful for your angels.)

    Much love,
    -Suze

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  11. Friko, it pleases me no end that despite your sometimes negative view of the world and people who live in it, you have many reasons (this week) to see it from a different perspective. Glad that your Beloved will be seeing more clearly, and hoping that the next op goes as well. (I'm pretty certain, actually, that you're not as cranky as you make out, hence your kind treatment from all and sundry)

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  12. Oh my, what a week. I'm so glad wonderful people stepped up and helped you out! People can be so generous and amazing! So hope you are better.

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  13. I'm sorry for all the trials but how wonderful that you are surrounded by Good Samaritans.

    And your previous post is breathtakingly lovely!

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  14. What wonderful people you know, and what a lovely shop owner (true definition of customer service, that--alas, a dying art). Glad your beloved's operation went well; very glad that you are feeling better; keeping fingers crossed for the next procedure...

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  15. Sometimes I think that if another person is kind to me I dissolve into a puddle of tears - the generosity I've encountered has been overwhelming. From your post, it sounds like the Good Samaritan hasn't been bred out of us on either side of the pond.

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  16. Hello:
    All of this does restore one's faith and belief in human nature and the overriding goodness of others which, at times with each one of us, can occasionally falter.

    We are so sorry to hear of all of these problems and difficulties and do so very much hope that all will be well with both you and Beloved. The fridge freezer is less important for we know that will be sorted.

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  17. Holy moly. NOTHING is happening by halves in your neck of the woods. Not least that silverlined, fantabulous, goodness of friends. (Hope next week is looking waaaay less eventful).

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  18. not a good week then - i can only hope things will get better for you

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  19. I have been greatly helped by kind people this week too, although I didn't have the magnitude of problems that you have had. Hope your weekend is restful and happy and that all will be well with your and Beloved's health.

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  20. How nice to have so many friends to help. Our refrigerator/ freezer concked out on us a few weeks back. Replacing it was not something we could afford at the time but luckily it could be repaired only we had to live out of ice chests for a week.n

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  21. H Friko - sounds like life has been quietly piling up .. but you do sound as though you have a few fantastic good samaritans around .. people are just brilliant & your local white store sounds excellent .. amazing how fridge-freezers conk out at harvest time?! Cheers - look after yourself and hubby .. with many thoughts - Hilary

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  22. Here's to happy endings. A [prayer your way for husband's upcoming surgery.

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  23. I believe you are reaping what you have sown. :-)

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  24. Of course everyone is happy to help you ... they know you'd do the same for them , without question .
    May everything settle down again now and I hope you can both relax this weekend and enjoy the garden , good music and a smidgin of chocolate .

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  25. I love it when angels come to give us the aid we need. Especially human angels!!! Fabulous!
    Let us hope that the weeks to come are more peaceful and a blessing to you and your beloved.
    My prayers and good thoughts for his upcoming surgery
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  26. You are surrounded by kindness, which I think tells us a lot about you.

    Hope your week-end is more relaxing than the week itself...

    Pearl

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  27. Oh Friko, what a pile up of unexpected challenges visited you! It's downright encouraging to read about how many people rallied round to be helpful in various ways.

    I'll be thinking of you and yours, positive thoughts, of course, and hope that with a week or so, you all will be having some calm, sweet autumn days. (If I lived closer, I would be so happy to help take care of Benno!)

    xo

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  28. I love that you shared this difficult week, and the willing friends who shared your burdens. I think we all need to be reminded to ask for help when we need it. Others are always willing, just as we are, but we think we don't want to take advantage of their generosity.

    Yet, that give and take is what makes us human and allows us to appreciate others . . . and share the wonder with blogging friends!

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  29. In your unfortunate circumstances you were blessed to have good friends all round and helpful store-keepers. I don't doubt that you received in kind what you have yourself given.
    I hope you and yours are all feeling much stronger now. Take care.
    Janice x

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  30. Dear Friko, I've read your Good Samaritan posting and all the comments and so have little to add. The words used by Sandi and K. L. Davies especially seem to fit my response.

    During your difficult days this past week, several thoughtful people stepped forward to help. As you know, I've been posting about Meniere's, and it was while that disease was so prominent in my life that I learned to ask for help. There can be no givers if there are no receivers.

    Peace.

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  31. A testimony to the fact that most people are inherently kind to one another.

    Wishing you calmer days ahead & good health for both you and your husband...and comfy warmth for your Benno.

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  32. What a wonderful reminder to us all that we really need never be alone! Such a heartwarming account of the events this past week, Friko. I do hope everything is going to continue looking up for you both. Please give dear, sweet Benno a huge (gentle) hug from me!

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  33. Thank goodness for all the kindness that stepped up to the mark when needed. Take care and be gentle on yourself.

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  34. My goodness, what a rough week you had and so wonderful friends could help you get through it.

    I do hope your beloved's cancer cells were removed sucessfully. My nose is healing nicely, thank you. Enjoy all those good friends. Dianne

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  35. Warm wishes to you and your Beloved for a full and swift recovery.

    Anna

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  36. At times I am guilty of trying to wrest too much meaning from experiences, so in this case I will just say: I'm damn glad it is all working out in the end.
    ~Mary

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  37. All in all you sound as if you've had a right week of it, Friko. So sorry to hear you were rushed into hospital again - hope you're feeling better. Good Samaritans are the best kind to have around.

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  38. reality is the way we look at things, with a positive or negative attitude.'this week of yours is neither worse nor better than anyone else but it's your approach that made the difference.
    There is always a solution, things are not static, what is valid one minute is obsolete the next one and solution appears as there is always a good Samaritan not far away...

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  39. Oh my comments are being eaten alive....test

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  40. A tale to warm the cockles! Glad it's over and, if that Rule of Threes thing has any mojo to it, you should be good to go for a bit.

    Hope so!

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  41. Hope you're feeling better. Sending warm thoughts for you and your Beloved.........

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  42. Friko I am so sorry that you have been sick and that so much has been happening to you all at once. I hope that Beloved will be fine – his eyes and his back. So good that you have friends where you live – it is a great comfort for you I am sure. My friends are in other states or other countries, so I hope I won’t have problems coming my way. At the doctor when they asked to place the name of someone locally in case of emergency, but not my husband, I wrote: try the Police.

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  43. ich dachte mir immer, dass ich, wenn ich einmal jemanden brauchen würde, ganz alleine wäre, nicht, dass ich kein Vertrauen in meine Freunde hätte, nein, ich dachte mir, ich frage sowieso niemanden um Hilfe und sowas kann man niemandem zumuten... Ich hatte mich geirrt, die Freunde waren immer da, spontan, und ich denke mir, dass man, wenn man Gutes tut oder versucht Gutes zu tun, man dies doch in irgendeiner Hinsicht immer zurückbekommt. Es ist sicher ein gutes Zeichen, wenn man Hilfe von anderen bekommt und es ist vielleicht auch gut, wenn man nichts oder nicht zu viel erwartet...
    Dir ein ganz schönes sonniges Wochenende, liebe Friko!
    Renée

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  44. Sorry to hear about all of your travails this week, Friko, but you are clearly blessed to be surrounded by such a loving and supportive community. May the next week be easier on you!

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  45. For you to be on the receiving end of these kindly gestures, you must have offered many kindnesses of your own along the way. So good for you! And good luck with that new frig.

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  46. Cataract surgery and skin cancer,
    ah, yes, a song many of us have
    had to sing since becoming
    sexagenarians. Your recounting
    of your stressful week made
    habitable by the kindness of
    neighbors is very inspiring;
    thanks for reinstating our faith
    in the families over the fence.

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  47. My grandmother used to say it takes trials and tribulations to help us realize our blessings. I've often observed that to be true. I'm so glad that you found blessings when you needed them. Hope the coming week is much better for you and your Beloved.

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  48. I'm glad all is well in the end. You certainly have good friends :)

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  49. Heck, what a week. I am so sorry. And also glad that you have so many kind people around you. I bet ARgos wouldn't have been as nice as your local white goods shop. I hope that you will both be feeling fighting fit in a few weeks' time.

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  50. The tale of your week is a good one - as the calamities piled up, the Good Samaritans multiplied. What a lovely community you live in, Friko. I hope this next week is one of absolute boredom!

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  51. Wow, that was a very tough week... poor you! Glad all ended better though...

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  52. Oh what a week that was! I'm so glad it's over and that you are feeling better. I'm also glad to see what a supportive community you have around you--so valuable! Good luck with the fridge, and here's looking forward to any operations being successful!

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  53. Quite a fraught week you've had, so thank goodness for the helping hands. I suspect somehow you've performed this role a good few times yourself and so many are glad to return the favor. Either way, bless Good Samaritans, wherever they are to be found.

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  54. Sorry to hear you had such a rough week and thank goodness for Good Samaritans :)

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  55. You must be sending out blessings to be receiving so many in return. What a rough week. I'm glad you are feeling better, Beloved's cataract surgery was good and we'll be praying for his next surgery and easy recovery.

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  56. Oh my, I am just now reading this because I am way behind on my blog reading. This was quite a series of things going wrong! I hope by now all is much better.

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