I was cruising along quite nicely until a couple of weeks ago. And when I say cruising I mean unemployed, overweight, unfit and feeling a tad unfulfilled in general. But… in the overall scheme of things I wasn’t throwing myself onto my bed in fits of depression or moaning TOOOOO much on social media.
I had an assignment due for university that was well in hand. I had accepted a paying editing gig (editing a novel). And I was finally back at my exercise class after multiple injuries.
I was quite zen about the fact my mum was headed off to our state’s capital, Brisbane for a test (an angiogram). We figured – at worst – she might need a stent.
I didn’t travel south with her as I had my own (heart) specialist appointment there later this month and she was only going to be away for a few days. However….
It turned out she needed a triple bypass. So naturally I dropped everything and went to stay with my brother, sister-in-law and niece in Brisbane to be there before and after her surgery.

Photo by Charity Beth Long on Unsplash
Of course, everything I thought I had under control was no longer under control. I hated being (back) in the city and navigating traffic and hospital parking. I spent the next two weeks in stress-bunny mode about my assignment and my editing gig. I ate nothing but junk food over the fortnight and really didn’t stick to my no-drinking (FebFast) plans.
However… on the lemonade front…. my mother came out of surgery fantastically well and after a couple of days in ICU was back in the ward and just 10 days later was released. She needs someone around for at least a week and I am – of course – accustomed to mother-sitting and have written about it before. (#Inrelatednews thank god for Twitter and the fact my mother doesn’t use it!)
Happily I also submitted my assignment. I worked the third and fourth drafts for over twelve hours and suspect it got worse as time wore on, so ultimately I realised I just needed to get it in. I’ve finally finished the editing gig and may have some ongoing editing contract work, thanks to a friend.
Because mum’s surgeon and mine work for the same company they brought my appointment forward to save me another trip and I got a positive result and can reduce some of my medication (that makes my heart slower and regular). I’m hoping it means I’m a little less sluggish.
I caught up with my besties for some delicious Thai food and got to go to my favourite (Chinese) restaurant.
And finally, the logistic nightmare of city living meant I often clocked up my pathetic 5,000 step goal (just) from walking from my parked car to the hospital and through the maze of wards. So, although I’ve not exercised… I’ve exercised. Inadvertently.
So… life, lemons and—surprisingly—lemonade. I’m practically Polly-freakin’-anna.
Did you miss me? In other news, THIS blog is twelve years old today. I started blogging a month earlier (January 2009) but briefly used another platform before switching to this one.
February 16, 2021
I laughed at your Pollyanna comment :). so pleased you got some good results, your mum is doing well and things, although unravelled a bit, look like being back on track for you. #lifethisweek
February 16, 2021
Yes, I was going to write a whinge-like post but realised I was over the hump and there were some positives.
February 16, 2021
I loved your title and that you’re able to see the positives. Pleased to hear your mum is doing well. Your post brought back memories of when Dad had his bypass. It was a stressful time. Take care
February 16, 2021
Ah yes Jennifer. Mum’s had a knee replacement and two hip replacements but this felt a little different. I guess seeing them after with multiple tubes and cuts etc is weird. My dad had a heart transplant in 2000 so it brought back some memories in that respect as well.
February 16, 2021
Happy 12 years! Glad to see your mum’s surgery went well though it must have been a shock/surprise at the time. My mum had an emergency bypass almost a decade ago now at 52 and I remember feeling quite helpless from here. Yay for completing the assignments and for the editing contract!
February 16, 2021
Oh yes, mum told me I didn’t need to go down as I had commitments here but of course I had to go… (being o/s would be harder). That had been the case for me when my dad had a pacemaker and later a defibrillator put in.
February 16, 2021
Glad that you got to make lemonade! And happy blogiversary.
February 17, 2021
Thanks Marg.
February 17, 2021
Happy bloggaversary. Is that such a word? And, any steps are good steps…just saying. Was great to catch up with you as always.
February 17, 2021
Absolutely to all of that. And I need to remind myself that any progress is progress.
February 17, 2021
You sure deserve a medal…for your blog longevity! Congratulations. I am so glad your mum is going well…and that despite the rapidity of the changes to your week/life you are doing well too.!
Win for you and the fact that Joanne T was in your hood as well.
Best wishes to Mum.
Thank you so much for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week, the optional prompt is
8/51 Explore. 22 Feb. I hope to see you there and I wish you well for the week ahead. Denyse. #lifethisweek #linkup #Mondays https://www.denysewhelan.com.au
February 17, 2021
Yes, there’s been a lot happening in my (normally) quiet little world….
February 18, 2021
Congratulations on 12 years of blogging, Deb! I’m glad to hear your Mom and you are both doing well. I haven’t had Thai and Chinese food for months. My favourite take-out places closed, and we’re still in lockdown until at least Feb 22. #lifethisweek
February 18, 2021
My part of Australia hasn’t really been in lockdown for a long time but when we were we could still get takeaway / food. Many restaurants and cafes closed to dine-in (obviously) but switched to takeaway and a few delivery services popped up. (As I live in a small town we didn’t previously have Uber Eats etc…)
February 18, 2021
Hi Pollyanna! I’m glad things went so well with your Mum’s surgery and I take my hat off to you for all that city living, driving, parking and hospital visiting. I don’t think I’d be capable of navigating the city any more (lived in the country for far too long!) I can also relate to mother sitting after doing that for both my mum’s knee replacements. I whined about the first one on my blog years ago because my mum wasn’t on the internet. THEN she got an ipad and became my biggest blog stalker – I had to go back and edit the posts a bit because she read them and was a bit hurt (good grief – be sure your sins will find you out!!) Glad there’s more good stuff happening in your world now xx
February 18, 2021
Ha yes, same here. For her knee replacement she wasn’t online. But by her first then second hip she was. She’s fine and when she comments on being grateful I remind her she’d do the same for us so there’s no need to feel like she’s a burden.
I think this was more complicated because it happened at a time when I was trying to finish off a few things.
February 19, 2021
Aww…you are a good daughter, Deb. Glad your mother came out of surgery and is healing well. I am sure she is glad she has you to watch over her and care for her. You really did make lemonade out of lemons.
February 20, 2021
I don’t try that often but need to do so (or acknowledge the good as well as the bad) more.