Saturday 9 April 2011

“The Ba’s burst fur the big yin!”

"The ba's burst fur the big yin!" Crawford’s words to me when he first felt pains in his legs at the end of January, the GP optimistically thought it could be rheumatism but I think Crawford had a gut feeling, the leukaemia was back. He was admitted to the Queen Margaret on Feb 11th it was confirmed and he was moved to the hospice ward. He had a sense of humour throughout that still had Mum, me and the nurses laughing. He wasn’t eating and was disappearing before our eyes; one of his sons, Andrew arrived from Australia a week ago.

On Monday he looked weary, he had an infection. Tuesday the hospital called Mum, they were concerned about him. We got there at about 11.30am he had deteriorated fast, we stayed by his bedside all day, Andrew went away to inform his aunt and uncle. Pauline arrived in the evening and Andrew came back we were all there at night, Mum was holding his hand, he knew she was there, looking into her eyes, she was reminiscing, the picnic when they forgot the sandwiches, the drive to Arbroath just to buy Smokies, the walks on Aldinga Beach (Oz) His breathing stopped being laboured, the frown on his brow disappeared, listening to my Mum he passed peacefully at 10.30pm.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with Mum, again at Queen Margaret, she couldn’t walk, her right leg was excruciating, she couldn’t bare weight on it or walk, with her health history, (terminal cancer) they admitted her, did some tests, bloods, ECG an MRI scan, she asked would she be able to get out for the funeral on Wednesday. My gut instinct was that because she’d spent Tuesday perched on a plastic chair it was “just” nerve/muscular pain. She does have tumours on her spine but the results showed “no change” so they let her go home.

While we were at the hospital waiting for the results, we were in a side room, a lady came in and asked what Mum would like for tea, we weren’t sure if was she staying in or going home? She wasn’t sure, I said have something because if she was staying she wouldn’t get something until I brought it in later, this was her only chance to eat. I was also offered something. If we didn’t eat it, it would go into the waste, ok, we’ll have a baked tattie with tuna then! Mum made me smile. She said “Don’t ever say I don’t take you out for something to eat!” My return was “Anything for an afternoon off work!”

Today we were going through what music we’ll have on Wednesday, Pauline has sorted a Piper, so Highland Cathedral and The Dark Island are definite. Knowing Crawford’s humour we joked about stuff like You cannae shove yer Granny aff a Bus and the Bluebell Polka, (he used to play it on the accordion)

How else should a guy behave if he hasnae seen a Scottish winter in about 40 years!

Crawford was a great guy who made my Mum giggle like a school girl, they had a just a few years together but they were precious.

13 comments:

Vicky said...

Sending our love to your mum and all your family.

GaryB said...

Brought back so many memories of my father but you have written with feeling, emotion and humour in a way i never could have put down in words.

beautiful song

Condolences to your mum and all you family

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, Fiona, and such an appropriate song. Thinking about you. Love Ian

John Kynaston said...

Sorry to hear your news Fiona.

Praying for you and your family at this time.

Anonymous said...

In my thoughts.

Karen D XX

Chris Carver said...

Sorry to read this news Fiona.

My wife's gran died whilst I was having chemo for testicular cancer.

My mum died whilst I was having an operation to remove half my right lung (cancer).

I missed both funerals and it's two of the biggest sadnesses of my life.

Do whatever you can to get your mum there - it'll be worth it for her.

Thinking of you lots at this time and hope to see you soon.

Davie said...

My sympathies to you all....

Davie

gillianmcc said...

will be thinking about you all on Wednesday.x

Fiona Rennie said...

Thank you, it does help knowing folk have us in their thoughts. xxx

Chris, I'll do whatever is necessary to get Mum there on Wednesday but knowing my Mum she'll get there with no help required.

Santababy said...

Hope your mum is well enough to make it funeral,sounds like he was a lovely man

Debs M-C said...

Love to you and your family xx

William said...

Very sorry for your loss and beautifully written Fiona.

Peter Duggan said...

Sorry to hear your news, Fiona, and hope everyone's bearing up OK. Hadn't heard Precious Years for ages, but watched the video for you just now.