She didn't believe in God. Most definitely not one that would know better than her about anything.
My mother took advice and guidance from no one.
But she did believe in Estee Lauder. She did believe very ardently in the power and efficiency of Ms Lauder's Time Zone day cream. Following her last admission to hospital I was, in fact, sent out to get more supplies since The One Remaining Aunt (Tora) forgot to pack any in the rush to admit her.
Turns out she stock piled it. I might have doubts as to its ability to "dramatically reduce the signs of ageing", but it looks like I have inherited several jars of this miracle cream, unopened, still in their original packaging.
If I were to believe the blurb on the boxes, my skin should be dramatically transformed. I'll let you know how that goes.
I spent years as a vegetarian, whilst she believed that a every evening meal needed meat or, at least, fish. Her last shop was on the second of March; turns out I've also inherited a freezer full of cuts of meat; sirloin steak, pork sirloin, frying steak, pork chops. Stuff I have no idea how to cook, but I can read the price tags and I simply refuse to throw this away, and who else would want food from dead people?
So I am perusing recipe books; I'll let you all know how gingered pork roast turns out.
And she believed very, very firmly in the superiority of doctors. My mother would have as soon poked a priest with a stick as question her GP about anything.
And on this last point I very, very definitely disagree with her. Because I'd been wondering for some time about why it took so long for her to get referred through to a specialist. Why it seemed that she only got referred after I phoned her GP directly. And why it was that everyone in the same ward, getting treatment for the same condition had been referred at a much earlier stage.
On the 6th May I sent her GP a letter, questioning why it had taken so long to diagnose my mother's condition, and why her family were not kept informed of the prognosis despite my phoning the practice repeatedly.
They still haven't replied, so I've taken a deep breath and sent a polite follow up letter.
I'll let you know how that one goes too.
My mother took advice and guidance from no one.
But she did believe in Estee Lauder. She did believe very ardently in the power and efficiency of Ms Lauder's Time Zone day cream. Following her last admission to hospital I was, in fact, sent out to get more supplies since The One Remaining Aunt (Tora) forgot to pack any in the rush to admit her.
Turns out she stock piled it. I might have doubts as to its ability to "dramatically reduce the signs of ageing", but it looks like I have inherited several jars of this miracle cream, unopened, still in their original packaging.
If I were to believe the blurb on the boxes, my skin should be dramatically transformed. I'll let you know how that goes.
I spent years as a vegetarian, whilst she believed that a every evening meal needed meat or, at least, fish. Her last shop was on the second of March; turns out I've also inherited a freezer full of cuts of meat; sirloin steak, pork sirloin, frying steak, pork chops. Stuff I have no idea how to cook, but I can read the price tags and I simply refuse to throw this away, and who else would want food from dead people?
So I am perusing recipe books; I'll let you all know how gingered pork roast turns out.
And she believed very, very firmly in the superiority of doctors. My mother would have as soon poked a priest with a stick as question her GP about anything.
And on this last point I very, very definitely disagree with her. Because I'd been wondering for some time about why it took so long for her to get referred through to a specialist. Why it seemed that she only got referred after I phoned her GP directly. And why it was that everyone in the same ward, getting treatment for the same condition had been referred at a much earlier stage.
On the 6th May I sent her GP a letter, questioning why it had taken so long to diagnose my mother's condition, and why her family were not kept informed of the prognosis despite my phoning the practice repeatedly.
They still haven't replied, so I've taken a deep breath and sent a polite follow up letter.
I'll let you know how that one goes too.
20 May 2012 at 21:19
Keep pestering them until they give you some sort of explanation. You obviously deserve one.
I have to agree with you about the quality of doctors. The last few times I've been to the doctor I've been far from satisfied with their diagnoses or suggested treatments (usually drugs with unpleasant side-effects). Now I try to avoid them.
20 May 2012 at 22:14
Cheers Nick. I've got a working theory that GPs are the worst.
Definitely not meriting reverence
20 May 2012 at 22:35
Oh boy do our mothers sound similar - must be a generational thing. Keep on at the GP. Too often these days money is the controlling force....
21 May 2012 at 00:14
Perhaps it is generational, because you could've been describing my mom.
Hound that doctor until you get an answer.
PS: Perfect skin plus glowing meat-induced health. Watch out, world, Macy is coming! ^^
21 May 2012 at 01:21
To avoid being confronted with large slabs of meat, maybe use small portions of it to make soup or stew?
I have no idea of what to do with the Time Zone stuff. Sorry.
21 May 2012 at 08:27
Curry Queen - Indeedy. I think there's an entire older generation foisting unwanted food and advice onto ungrateful recipients.
A letter back from her GP would e a start.
Rurousha - Laughed out loud at the thought of the combined results of Time Zone and choice cuts of meat.
We'll see....
LX - Yep I'm taking it one slab of meat at a time. The Estee Lauder Time Zone is, as Rurousha suggested, part of my forthcoming world domination plan.
21 May 2012 at 09:04
What a beautiful photo.
Don't doubt Estee......slather that stuff on Macy, only not yet as you must be way too young.
As for GP's and referrals then I have mixed feelings.....I hope they do their best by every patient but I know (with my own ma) that it can be a hit and miss affair.
21 May 2012 at 09:24
Having a husband who is a GP, I best not get too involved in this but I do hope you get a reply as soon as possible so you can discuss the issues and get some explanations.
I'll have your steaks, Macy - bit of sirloin would do nicely!
21 May 2012 at 09:24
I'm still wearing some of my mother's clothes and she died 9 years ago.
21 May 2012 at 13:13
While wrapped up in my own troubles, I've neglected those of my friends.
1. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I send you warm, transatlantic hugs and as much beer as you can drink.
2. Estee Lauder? Yes. There's a reason that stuff's been around for so long.
3. The gingered pork sounds wonderful. For some reason, I'm thinking brussel sprouts as a side...
Greetings from Mpls,
Pearl
21 May 2012 at 18:31
I hope someone leaves me a freezer full of meat! (Y'know, there's a sentence I never imagined saying!)
But I don't need the face-cream, I'm 'growing into myself' !
Doctors are not my favourite people. My Da's doc told him that his severe back pain was caused by a slipped dics and he was put in traction. He died a week later, massive tumour on one of his kidneys.
I always get a second (and third) opinion. (Doc; I'm afraid you're very sick. Me; Can I get a second opinion? Doc; Ya, you're ugly too!)
I'll get my coat. : ¬)
xxx
21 May 2012 at 18:33
oops! Of course that should read 'slipped DISC'! Nothing worse than slipped dics!) :¬)
xxx
21 May 2012 at 20:35
Libby - She had this photo on her mantelpiece,now I've got it on mine. It was taken only two years before she became housebound.
Trish - Statistically there have to be good GPs! Hell I've got one. I expect half of the problem lies with my mother not understanding, or wanting to admit how ill she was.
Soz. The sirloin steak was the first to go...
Z - I've taken to wearing her dressing gown.
Only night times and the wee small hours mind you.
Ah Pearl, I've been short of time for other bloggy pals recently myself.Beer is an excellent plan - especially with gingered pork which we had with apple sauce and honey parsnips
Maps - God knows what's going to last longest - the meat in the freezer, endless supplies of Estee Lauder or your supply of bad jokes....
My problem with maw's GP is that he didn't seem to give any opinion at all!
22 May 2012 at 15:25
There is something about mothers not wanting to tell the GP what's going on. Mine was in and out of the surgery for ages talking about nothing, but never mentioning her symptoms. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought she was just a moaner. :)
We once found a freezer full of stuff. Sadly, it had been unplugged some time previously...
22 May 2012 at 21:16
Speccy - Also something about not wanting to be thought to be infirm. I just wish I'd known sooner.
24 May 2012 at 16:22
The picture clearly shows that there must be something to the Estée Lauder stuff. Or maybe your mum was just blessed with naturally good skin.
As for the superiority of doctors, I totally agree with you. My family have seen it for ourselves how my grandmother was treated with total lack of interest simply because she was already in her 80s. The dosage of her medication remained unchecked and unaltered for way too long, until my mother took action. Same when she was in hospital, same when she was at home. I wonder how those doctors will feel when they are old themselves and receive similar "treatment".