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WHY NO BLOGS!!

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MilnersBlog What No Blogs

I’ve finally stepped back into MilnersBlog after over 4 months of not posting absolutely anything at all on the blog, at first I couldn’t seem to think why not, but last night I finally realised why I hadn’t, you see my last post was the colourful Leeds Carnival, and not long after I posted that ❤Wifey and I set off on our first solo vacation without the girlie’s in over 20 years, this was to one of our friends stunning Villa in Southern Spain in the ‘Tapas’ province of Murcia. Whilst there we had such an amazing time, dining and relaxing in a place where we hardly came into contact with anyone other than the heart-warming friendly Spanish locals, the area was also ‘Spain’s Greenhouse’ and the fresh produce we bought from the local markets was the best I’ve ever seen and tasted, none of this EU ‘perfect vacuum packed’ crap you got back home. I even made my signature dish… Spanish Paella using local seafood and ingredients whilst there… Wifey said it was the best one I’ve ever cooked. I even took lots of photography out there, some of which I was so proud of and couldn’t wait to share them on my return, especially a lightning storm over the bay as we took shelter with the locals in the beach shack bar. We returned fully rejuvenated from the stresses of family and work life and was so looking forward to the coming autumn…

Now for the ‘Why no Blogs’… we arrived back on the Friday and quickly got into the usual unpacking and relentless washing, as well as seeing the lovely Girlies and our Happy (excited) Dog. Sunday quickly came round and also a visit from my lovely Mum, who dropped a bombshell which rocked me to the core, you see, whilst I was away she had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she hadn’t even finished talking before the tears where rolling down my face, I felt like god had given me this most amazing holiday with one hand and was trying to take something eternally precious to me away with the other hand… I felt cheated.

The few weeks later I met her with my Dad for the her first meeting with Surgeon, but due to traffic and parking I arrived slightly late to witness them both looking so utterly shell-shocked, I went cold with fear, I thought had they already seen him and got some horrendous news, but thankfully not, instead some foreign driver had driven into their car on the way to the hospital trying to get out-of-the-way from of a speeding ambulance, of all the days to have a car accident, thankfully they were able to carry on their journey to the breast clinic. First thing I said was “cars can be always be repaired and replaced” …unlike my mum. But the surgeon that day was so confident that my mum was repairable.

The day of the surgery soon came, and it was a day that I’ve never seen her so terrified of the unknown, and the what if’s! …I’m glad I was there for them both that morning, because soon after we kissed her goodbye, before she was wheeled away to theatre, my dad who is normally a strong and proud ‘Yorkshire’ man, broke down that early morning in way I don’t even mum had ever seen, he was so worried that something would go wrong or they would find something else, I’m not sure how long it took for him to let go of my hand which was now turning purple, but when he did, we sat there for a few hours talking about his love of pigeons, it was my ❤Wifey’s tip to take his mind off the moment, and it did thankfully. A few hours later the back-up troops arrived before mum returned from theatre…my two sisters.

When she returned, the Surgeon was confident that it all went well, and everything (the cancer) was safely removed (or Betty as we now called now it) …we all breathed a sigh of relieve and later that day made our way home in the torrential rain.

One of my lasting memories of that day at the hospital was the ‘all female’ surgical team, from the porter to the nurse, anaesthetist, surgeon and after care, which for me was an amazing touch by the Leeds NHS Breast Cancer unit to make their patients feel relaxed.

The drama of that day wasn’t going to end there, you see MilnersBlog was a finalist for the Best City and Neighbourhood Blog in the North of England at the BlogNorth awards in Manchester that night, I ‘SO’ wanted to attend the event, even though in my heart-of-hearts I had no hope of winning, but I was emotionally drained from the day and weeks earlier, instead I stayed at home with the comfort of ❤Wifey and followed the event on social media… When they announced I was the winner, my emotions started with joy and soon turned to tears, I think having a day at both ends of the emotional scale was too much for me to cope with, Wifey even tweeted my thanks on my behalf.

Four months down the line, mum has now had the all-clear, although she’s still going through radio therapy, which will last into the New Year, but her and the surgeon feel ‘Betty’ is finally Beaten.

Last week Mum finally got her Mojo back and started enjoying her passion for baking again…just in time for making her marvellous Christmas Cakes. It seems to have released me back to my passion as well …MilnersBlog.

…It’s good to be finally back.

31 thoughts on “WHY NO BLOGS!!”

  1. Well good news arising out of bad! Thank goodness all is well. Quite a time you’ve had there. and Congratulkations on Winnning the Northern Blog thing. That will put a spring in your step -no doubt. Have a great Christmass.

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  4. Oh dear Carl, I am so sorry to hear all about your mother and the days… but more than this I am happy to hear the good news. Welcome back dear Carl, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Thanks and Love, nia

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  6. Very happy to hear about your mother’s recovery and – Christmas Cakes! Also a very big congrats on your well earned award! Happy holidays Carl, and all the best to you and your family. Looking forward to more of your work in 2014!

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  7. Such a contrast from warmth and relaxation to worry and fear. It was a blessing you were able to enjoy the first part and be present and supportive in the second. Seeing loved ones hurting and fearful is heart wrenching. May your mother continue to be strong.

    It is good you are back.

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  11. With tears running down my face now I read your article. Having lost my first husband throu cancer I know what you and your family have gone throu. But thankfully your Mom’s surgical team have done a super job and I am happy for you all that she is recovering so well. Take care of yourself, too and I pray that 2014 will be a much better and happier year for you all. Oh yes, btw -congratulations on your win and welcome back, Carl. Carina

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  12. Thanks for sharing with us! I know it’s echoing what everyone else is writing, but I’m glad your Mom is doing better. What a wonderful vacation in Spain – wow!

    I’ve been blogging very inconsistently and am debating if I should put mine on hiatus for a while and just plain old take a break. I just have too much going on to give it much attention for now. In other words, it’s not just you.

    Have a Happy New Year!

    Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy

      It does you good to have a break from it, re-new your passion in it and come back all fresher and looking forward to the new year.

      Hope you have a great New Year and enjoy the ‘ virtual’ break 🙂

      Thanks
      Carl

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  13. Welcome back in the race, Carl!!!!!! I just love your new look here – so you.
    So sorry to read about your mum’s cancer journey – it’s so rough and tough …. been there – done it.
    Wonderful news that she has come through and doing well.
    Congratulations to the wards, because you’re worth it.
    I wish you and your loved ones only the best for 2014.
    By the way I have missed you … very much.

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    1. Hi Viveka

      Thanks for the kind words, it’s so good to be back at it, especially chatting to you.

      It will be slowly at first, but I’ll build up momentum I’m sure of it.

      It was a traumatic few months and thanks again for the kind words…they mean a lot.

      Love and best wishes for 2014 as well
      Carl x

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      1. Carl, my cancer journey taught me that – it’s so much worst for them that loves us … the hopelessness and not be able to do anything to change our situation – have to be the bystander … and not able to ease our experience – an experience nobody really should have to go through.

        So glad that your mum is doing well and that the doctors are pleased with the process.

        Great to have you back – and I’m looking forward to land in your world again.

  15. WOW the winner? Congratulations! Nice to see you back. The new format is very engaging.. I am glad that your mum kicked Betty to the curb !

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