amberdreams | (no subject)

Rachel has been getting a lot of enjoyment from poetry during her illness, and especially Roger McGough. I don't suppose many non Brits will have heard of him, but he has been around since the 60s. He was one of the famous Liverpool Poets, was in a band called The Scaffold with Paul McCartney's brother, and writes wonderfully punny poems. He's also great with kids' poetry. Anyhow, he's still a Liverpool lad, and Rachel's daughter Anna managed to get hold of him via email, and explain about Rachel's horrible situation.

He's sent her two poems, one of which we think might have been written for her, as we can't find any reference to it online. Even if it isn't written especially, it does have a real relevance to her current condition, and I confess, I've been bawling all morning since I read it. Not just the poem itself, but the kind gesture has undone me.

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Love the doodles too...

Sad addendum: I think my cousin Michelle is dying too. She's moved back to Manchester and her son is currently looking after her, but it doesn't sound at all hopeful. Her condition has deteriorated so rapidly, it's scary. Just four weeks ago she was able to meet me for lunch, she was in pain but able to walk and enjoy herself. Yesterday she had a wheelchair delivered and tells me (via Facebook) that she can't do anything for herself, not even make a cup of coffee, and she's in pain all the time in spite of the morphine they have her on. The docs are talking about doing a double mastectomy as a means of slowing the spread of the cancer, but she's not sure it will be worth the trauma if it's not going to improve the quality of what life she has left - the cancer is very aggressive and is in her breasts, lymph nodes, ribs and spine.

I can't beleive this is happening to either of them. It doesn't seem real or right. Rachel is 3 weeks younger than me, Michelle is six months younger. I'll need to get up to Manchester to see Michelle soon, when I can find out what's going on. Her phone isn't working at the moment and typing conversations on FB isn't the best means of communication at the best of times, but she's even more woolly-minded when she's on morphine.

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That is an absolutely beautiful poem; what a kind gesture indeed. I'm sorry to hear you've gotten more bad news *hugs*

It's such a lovely poem, and a lovely gesture. It made Rachel's day.

What a beautiful gesture, and a lovely poem! *hugs*

It was such a lovely thing for Anna to think of doing for Rachel, and for Roger to respond so awesomely.

so sorry to hear your friends are suffering. Stay strong!

Thank you, it's pretty awful and I wish I could do more.

I am sorry to hear about your friends.

Thank you, it's pretty dreadful for them both.

*hugs* I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin.

The poem is lovely! Mum used to read Roger McGough poems to us a lot when we were kids -- nice to know that he's a kind person too. ♥

He sent a really lovely email to Anna as well, he really does seem to be a top bloke.

You and yours are having such a dreadful time at the moment. I'm so sorry to hear it, but glad that some people are responding with kindness and creativity to try to help. Good on Roger McGough.

The kindness of strangers, hey? That was what really got to me this morning, and I'm still tearing up thinking about it now. It's just so NICE.

That's such a lovely thing for Roger McGough to do, I remember Scaffold so well, Lily The Pink was always a party favourite in our family as my mum's name was Lil. Rachel must have been very touched by his kindness, I love the little doodles, too.

I can't imagine how awful it is for your cousin to try to decide whether to have a double mastectomy or not, what a dreadful decision. I hope you'll be able to visit her soon. You, Rachel and Michelle are all in my thoughts at the moment.

*hugs*

Thanks bunches, June. I appreciate your concern, especially given that you have your own issues to deal with!

I think it makes me more empathetic, as I know the toll having a serious illness/condition has on me and on my family and friends. Mine is a slow progression though, much slower than anyone thought, so I feel so sorry for your friend and cousin having such aggressive and painful forms of cancer.

Well I'm very glad your MN is progressing so slowly - the slower the better. I'm hoping you will be another Stephen Hawking.

I wouldn't mind some of his cash - or his brains!

Thanks my dear!

Better start writing that world changing book now then!

"A Brief History of Supernatural" will make my millions, Rodney!

I hope that the poem uplifted her spirit as much as it uplifted mine, even as tears came to my eyes.

I'm sorry that so much bad news has come up on you so quickly :(

What a lovely thing for him to do. I am so sorry Rachel and Michelle are going through this - so very sad, and they are so young too.

That was so lovely of him, to sent that poem.

I'm so sorry to hear your friend and cousin are suffering. *hugs*

Thank you so much for sharing this. My heart is with you. <3

I am officially in floods of tears, that is such a beautiful poem! What a kind caring gesture from him ♥ I hope she took great comfort in it x I'm so sorry about your cousin as well, it never rains but it pours, and this bloody disease has a lot to answer for! I'm here if you need anything, at all xx Rachel, Michelle and you are in my thoughts hun x

Oh...fudge. Or words to that effect. Just...hugs. None of this is good...except for the poem. That is good. And so kind and thoughtful of Roger McGough. My thoughts are with you all.

I'm so sorry, bb, and i wish i didn't have to keep telling you this ♥ that poem is incredibly beautiful and such a lovely lovely gesture. wow ♥

that poem is the nicest thing! not just that he wrote it, but the cute little doodles too. it's a really sweet, compassionate gesture. i'm so sorry to hear about your cousin, tho.