To Open or Not to Open?

I sent a couple of letters out earlier this week to Sis and Other Brother to put them in the picture as to Humphrey and his demise.
I’d delayed in letting them know until we knew what we were up against, the prognosis, and what treatment lies ahead, and although the latter is still vague, I felt it was time to advise them.
I was a little nervous as to what their reaction might be, but then thought ‘It’s Family, so it should be OK’.

OB rang me today. He sounded anxious and concerned, but the more we talked, the more his voice relaxed and I could convey to him that I’m OK and in positive spirits.
He’s had his own health problems this year, as has his wife, so he hasn’t been able to visit my Mum for a few months. He does ring, but is unsure as to how much of their telephone conversation she remembers, and like us, doesn’t hear anything from Sis at all.
He put my SIL on who had overheard our conversation and wanted to talk to me.
She said how brave and strong I was, how upbeat and positive I sounded, which was very nice of her to say as apart from playing the piano a bit, she doesn’t know very much about me. Still, it’s early days I suppose as they’ve only been married 29 years.
Still, it was a good phone call, they are OK, and both have promised not to mention the word Cancer to my Mum should my name crop up.
I’m glad I’ve told them, and equally glad I left it until now to do so.

Sis on the other hand was another kettle of fish and Hubby didn’t really think it was a good idea to tell her as she can be quite ‘hostile’ towards me. It doesn’t help that we have totally different personalities and lifestyles, little in common, and aren’t close at all.
She too would have had my letter today, and taking the coward’s way out, I turned my phone off when I finished my call to OB.

Part of me was hoping she wouldn’t respond, and another part was hoping if she did, it would be by email, as I can cope with the written word from her better than a verbal exchange.
Sure enough there was a message in my In Box, under the heading Letter, so it wasn’t rocket science to guess what it was about.
My yellow streak was a mile wide today, and the yellow condom suit would’ve been straining at the seams to contain it because I read all the other messages first……… twice.
And replied to them where necessary.
Then we had a cup of tea.
And our evening meal.

Brave and strong? Pah!  That’s me second from the left.
I opened it eventually, and it wasn’t bad.
125 words, 2 of which were to say “Mum’s fine”, 61 about her success at Slimming World,
7 referring to my attendance at SW, 5 concerning receipt of my letter, 4 starting and finishing off, and the remainder about her shock, wishing me luck with therapy, asking me to keep her informed, and glad that they caught it early.
As I said, not bad.
In her defence, I had mentioned SW in my letter to soften the blow of its content and hoping she was doing OK, so at least she answered my enquiry!

Families!