Sunday, April 01, 2007

Its after midnight. I have just come back from a dance social. I've removed my make up. And am sitting in my gorgeous dress, listening to Ace of Base, eating M&Ms (penut, duh!) and poking my big fat belly cuz my posture's gone to shit and its poking out in all of its jiggly glory. My feet hurt. I've taken off my shoes. I'm quite comfortable, sitting with my right leg tucked under my left thigh.

Off in the distance I can hear possums yelling at each other. I feel like I'm the only person in the world right now. I can't even hear traffic. I don't know if my roomie is asleep or out. There is no light peeking out from under her door. The cats are wandering around, waiting for me to go to bed. They'll be waiting a while yet. I'm normally quite exhausted after dancing. But tonight is different. I suspect for many people.

The people at dancing are my family here. I have my uncles and aunts, who are my mentors and teachers. I have my cousins, who are younger and I get along with extremely well. I have brothers and sisters. I even have a father figure. Dancing Dad. He taught me at the beginning, before I knew any of the others. And he is by far my favourite person at dancing.

And tonight I found out he has a brain tumour.

Its cancerous.

I saw him two days before he found out. And he seemed fine. The day after I saw him last he complained to his wife that he was having problems with his vision. He went to the optometrist. Who referred him to an ophthalmologist. The next day he had an MRI.

I hadn't seen him in two weeks. He was in hospital all that time. Recovering.

Its quite a shock.

I think I'll sit here quietly for a while.

14 comments:

Creepy said...

Sorry to hear about 'Dancing Dad'. I'm going through a similar experience with my own father. Hang in there, I wish you and yours the best.

Crushed said...

Sympathies.
These event make all of us more reflective, partly due to the suddeness with which they happen.

Makes you realise, this isn't a dresss rehearsal.

Cazzie!!! said...

Huggs to you. Brain tumours suck, they don't choose any particular person on age, sex, race, religion or occupation, they don;t descriminate.
If ya need to talk just email me. I work in this area of nursing. He is your special Dad, and he would be proud you learnt something marvellous from him.

MissE said...

I'm so sorry, phishez.
Cancer sucks.

I hope he comes through okay.

itelli said...

I might come across as an eejit, more often than not, but I've seen it happening four times, and that's what makes me open my mouth:

It's hard, true, but it's something that is treated. It's not a cold, or a migrane, but it does get treated. And the best medicine is determination and mood.

Ms Smack said...

eep, sorry that you've been exposed to this horrible illness.

Its a terrifying experience. A time when you'll need to draw on your inner strength to support him.

Dont forget to look after your own needs during this time... its easy to forget.

Lily said...

You're in my thoughts.

Josh said...

Oh, damn. Sorry to hear about that. Hope the treatment and recovery go well.

LadyHAHA said...

I'm really really sorry to hear about your Dancing Dad. I'm hoping the very best for you and him! Hang in there! :)

Webmiztris said...

i'm so sorry.... :(

Trundling Grunt said...

Shit. Sorry to hear that. Hope he comes through this - many can be treated. Wish I could do or say more to help.

Woman Analyzer said...

Sorry to hear the sad news :(

Steph said...

Makes you think hey. I hope he pulls through ok.

phishez said...

Thanks for the support everybody. It really makes a difference.