Leapfrog
Champion actifryer
I don't normally post personal stuff on here, but am in the need of advice from you lovely people who always have experiences and tips to share.
To be brief, I live in France just outside a tiny village. I bought my house from my French neighbour, André and his wife and have got to know his family a little, though just to say the odd word, not well enough to invite round for dinner etc.
Recently the family has suffered tragedy after tragedy. In 2007 their eldest daughter died of cancer at a young age. A few months later the second daughter's baby died of cot death. André's wife has suffered from Parkinson's for quite some time and often has attacks where she struggles to breathe. Last year we received notification of a death in their family (it's customary in France for the whole village to receive a card from the undertaker with details of the funeral arrangements etc.) and were shocked to find it was André himself who had died suddenly – on first reading the card, we had presumed it was his wife.
Since then, I have helped out with odd jobs, such as cutting her grass and feeding the dog when she has had to go in hospital and my main contact has been with the youngest daughter who is in her early 40's. But again, just for a quick chat etc. I wouldn't say she was a friend as such.
I was on holiday last week and got a call from this daughter to say she has peritoneal cancer (see here for details Peritoneal Cancer | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Medical Center ) and was in hospital for an operation to remove her uterus and ovaries. This will be followed by chemotherapy.
Her mother has also been admitted to hospital as she is not eating and is down to just 40 kilos (88 pounds).
I can't really understand why she phoned me, of all people, to tell me this. I asked if she needed me to look after the dog or help with anything else and she said her sister was taking care of things, it was just to let me know. I wonder if maybe she doesn't really have many friends, which was why she called me. I spoke to her briefly before the operation, but to be honest, am lost for words. I speak pretty fluent French (I'm a translator) but on this occasion I just don't know what to say or how to say it – and would struggle in English to be honest.
Has anyone any experience of this particular type of cancer? Or been through anything similar and can offer advice on how to approach it?
I would have liked to visit her (along with my fiancé, who is French) but unfortunately the hospital is too far away and we have too many mid-week work commitments to make what would be a four hour round trip, plus the time spent at the hospital. She said she would be coming out after 6-8 days, which probably means the end of this week.
If it was a close friend, I could probably muddle through, but I'm finding it difficult to summon up the courage to give her a call and keep putting it off. I just do not know what to say.
Sorry to go on so long. I'd really appreciate some help with this.
To be brief, I live in France just outside a tiny village. I bought my house from my French neighbour, André and his wife and have got to know his family a little, though just to say the odd word, not well enough to invite round for dinner etc.
Recently the family has suffered tragedy after tragedy. In 2007 their eldest daughter died of cancer at a young age. A few months later the second daughter's baby died of cot death. André's wife has suffered from Parkinson's for quite some time and often has attacks where she struggles to breathe. Last year we received notification of a death in their family (it's customary in France for the whole village to receive a card from the undertaker with details of the funeral arrangements etc.) and were shocked to find it was André himself who had died suddenly – on first reading the card, we had presumed it was his wife.
Since then, I have helped out with odd jobs, such as cutting her grass and feeding the dog when she has had to go in hospital and my main contact has been with the youngest daughter who is in her early 40's. But again, just for a quick chat etc. I wouldn't say she was a friend as such.
I was on holiday last week and got a call from this daughter to say she has peritoneal cancer (see here for details Peritoneal Cancer | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Medical Center ) and was in hospital for an operation to remove her uterus and ovaries. This will be followed by chemotherapy.
Her mother has also been admitted to hospital as she is not eating and is down to just 40 kilos (88 pounds).
I can't really understand why she phoned me, of all people, to tell me this. I asked if she needed me to look after the dog or help with anything else and she said her sister was taking care of things, it was just to let me know. I wonder if maybe she doesn't really have many friends, which was why she called me. I spoke to her briefly before the operation, but to be honest, am lost for words. I speak pretty fluent French (I'm a translator) but on this occasion I just don't know what to say or how to say it – and would struggle in English to be honest.
Has anyone any experience of this particular type of cancer? Or been through anything similar and can offer advice on how to approach it?
I would have liked to visit her (along with my fiancé, who is French) but unfortunately the hospital is too far away and we have too many mid-week work commitments to make what would be a four hour round trip, plus the time spent at the hospital. She said she would be coming out after 6-8 days, which probably means the end of this week.
If it was a close friend, I could probably muddle through, but I'm finding it difficult to summon up the courage to give her a call and keep putting it off. I just do not know what to say.
Sorry to go on so long. I'd really appreciate some help with this.
