When my ex and I separated 30 years ago, I returned from New York to live here. I chose this seaside town as my late MIL lived here and I wanted the children to have the benefit of a family, both my parents had died when I was in my 20s. It was a very lonely time for me as other then one other person and my in-laws, I didn't know anyone. That of course with time changed. My friend's son was the first to ask my son for a play date, and I went to collect him each time. We got chatting tea was offered a wonderful friendship was started.
I met other friends too through my children's' schools and work etc. But this friend was the one I saw the most. We were both single parents, we like the same films, politics, she is a fellow bookworm, same sense of humour etc etc. Many summer Sunday afternoons were spent sitting in my garden drinking tea and reading the papers and talking. We had to great holiday in Italy and New York and we were talking about going to Paris next spring, we were hoping to save for a really cheap break. She's the one I call when something bad has happened and the first I call with good news. She is a large part of my life.
She went on holiday to France for three days with another friend, was ill the entire time and when they returned her friend took her straight to A and E, she was admitted right away. It transpires that she has had a 'silent heart attack', apparently women can have a painless heart attack ! Bit frightening.
I went to see her the day after she was admitted and got such a fright I nearly burst into tears. She looks so frail, ashen, her breathing is laboured and of course she doesn't feel like eating. There are wires and tubes all everywhere it's a desperate situation.
On my second visit, as I was leaving, I managed to have a talk with the charge nurse about her eventual outcome. She has to move as her flat is a walk up of four flights, she will always be weak and not able to live the sort of life that she did. It is going to be in his words, a long haul.
This has knocked me for a loop, I'm never going to have my old friend back as I knew her. It sounds very selfish but a part of my life is gone and for her too. She is very independent, like me, and having to rely on help is going to be hard for her. This is so sad.
Evidence on Andy Burnham's National Care Service proposals
AIBU to wish toilet cubicles were a decent size.
