I can’t believe that it is so long since I last did a post for SOS. I knew that during last year I was getting more and more tired and had hardly any energy at all so the garden was suffering and didn’t look as it should, in spite of the gardener coming to work here each week.
Chionodoxa Pink Giant on the alpine scree.
After many visits to the medical centre and many blood tests later I was told that I was bleeding internally (no wonder I was so tired) and so began the start of many visits to the main hospital nearby., my feet barely touched the ground.
Scilla sibirica also on the scree.
All these visits led to a couple of endoscopies, a colonoscopy, a couple of CT scans and some X rays. At the end of November a cancerous growth was removed by another colonoscopy but it was felt that maybe all of it hadn’t been removed. Eventually it was decided to do another operation in mid February using micro surgery this time.
Corydalis Brth Evans in the woodland.
Corydalis George Baker.
My daughter was so good, she did a video of my snowdrops in the woodland on her phone, so that I could see them all, it was definitely Winter when I went into hospital but Spring when I came home a couple of weeks ago. I still have a couple of snowdrops still flowering in the woodland, soon be over though.
Its now the turn of Fritillaria meleagris, they seem to be early this year.
There will soon be loads more to photograph.
The surgery was a complete success, all signs of cancer have gone, I just now have to get my strength back once more and I’m feeling stronger each day. Hopefully I’ll be back to gardening fairly soon.
There are loads of Narcissus flowering at the moment, I think these are N. Minnow.
Of course the first thing I wanted to do when I got back home was to go into the garden to see everything that is flowering now. I did go eventually, but I needed someone on one side of me and used a stick on the other side.
Salix Mount Asso looking very pretty.
I made it round the woodland though while Narcissus pseudonarcissus was in flower, I have been another couple of times and now the snakeshead fritillaries are out and looking rather wonderful.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus are almost over now but plenty more varieties still to come.
I feel stronger each day and hope that soon I can manage without the stick when walking in the garden. I had a walk with my daughter the other day and didn’t need to hold onto her, another improvement! I have nothing but praise for the NHS, they have all been absolutely wonderful, both the surgical ream and the nurses who all looked after me so well.
There we have my six for this week, it took me a lot longer to do it this week, I had forgotten how to do some things, it has been so long since my last post! Please pop over to Jim at Garden Ruminations to see more spring flowers.
I have been checking to see if you had been posting, so sorry to hear that you have been so ill and so glad to hear that all is good now. Such a worrying time for you and your family. You have some lovely spring plants to welcome you home, I especially like the Corydalis and Mount Asso. Take it slowly Pauline to build up your strength. A few laps around the garden maybe 😊
Thanks for your message Jude,the worst is over and I’m getting stronger each day. I now have the confidence to go for a walk round the garden by myself now in the lovely spring sunshine, one day at a time.
Glad you hear that all is now well and you can enjoy your garden once more.
I really am enjoying the garden now Rosie, in all the spring sunshine. Getting stronger each day so soon I hope to be gardening once more.
It’s so good to see a post from you Pauline. I thought of you when the snowdrops were out and thought that you were quiet. I’m sorry to read that you’ve been through some difficult days and pleased to hear that you are doing well. Maybe a bit of sitting out in the spring sunshine with a good book is a good start to getting back into your usual gardening activities whilst you build up your strength. Take care xxx
Thanks for thinking of me Anna at snowdrop time, such a shame I missed some of them. I’m getting stronger each day and hope it won’t be too long before I’m tackling the weeds once more!
You have had a rough time of it, Pauline, I’m very happy that the news is good but it’s been a long haul for you. Thank goodness for supportive family and being able to get back to your beloved garden, which is looking lovely. I adore the fritillaria meleagris, I find them fascinating.
The worst is over Helen and I now feel stronger each day. The family have been wonderful and friends too, encouraging me to get into the garden safely. I’m taking each day as it comes, enjoying all the spring flowers that are popping up everywhere. Fritillaria meleagris have done ever so well this year, they are looking wonderful in the woodland.
Really good to see a new post from you. So many people have been regular contributors to Six on Saturday over the years and have stopped, never to be heard from again. Good to hear that you’re on the way up again.
Sorry I was missing for so long Jim, hopefully there won’t be any more problems like that. Definitely on the mend, getting stronger each day so hopefully will soon be back gardening.
Great photos, with a preference for me for the Salix ‘Mount Asso’, and good news about your health. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you, and the serious illness you described to us obviously justifies your absence and fatigue during these long months. A good recovery, and fingers crossed that you stay safe…
Improving each and every day Fred, thank you for your kind message. Just walking round the garden and seeing all the spring flowers makes me very happy indeed. Hopefully it wont be too long before I can start gardening again.
It’s so lovely to have you back I have missed your beautiful garden. Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery.
Thanks Jane for your message. I’m well on the road to recovery, getting stronger each day.
Gosh – you have been through it. I’m glad they figured out what was wrong and that you’re now on mend. It’s good to see your beautiful garden again. I’m a bit envious of your Scilla – I have just the one that comes back every year! Wishing you a speedy recovery
Getting stronger each day now Graeme, able to enjoy all the spring flowers once more. My scilla are spreading from the scree to the surrounding rockery, they seem to like it here!
That Salix and the photo of it are really lovely. Gosh, I’m glad they figured out what was going on with your health, and that the surgery was successful. Take it easy and enjoy your beautiful garden. <3
I think the salix is pretty special Beth, the pink flowers are so pretty. I’m getting stronger day by day and enjoying my garden once more.
I’ve missed you and worried about you, Pauline! Sorry for what you’ve been through but glad you’ve had a great outcome. May the garden bring even more healing.
Thank you Susie, but no need to worry any more, thank goodness! I’m really enjoying wandering round the garden in the lovely spring weather, just wish I had the energy to do some weeding!
It was so good to notice on Six on Saturday that you had posted on your blog as I knew it had been a long time since you last done so – I tried emailing you a few months ago to find out if you were OK so it was good to find out from this post that you were on the mend, albeit after a long and difficult period of ill-health. I am so glad you are now clear of cancer and able to reacquaint yourself with your garden again. Thinking of you and sending my very best wishes
Thank you for your good wishes Cathy, I have been warned though that it will be a good while before I’m back to full health once more, I’ll just have to be patient!