Phil Mercer

Thursday, June 15, 2006

The End

 

Over the last couple of weeks the saga's in the Mercer family continue to unfold. Upon returning from France, I find out that my Uncle has had a stroke. Since he is only 51, this came as a shock. After test he was taken to the Royal Marsden hospital where it turns out, he actually has CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia)

Ever since my Grandmother died over a year ago he hasn't looked well. But I think we all put this down to the stress of losing a parent dealing with the estate and then house hunting. Somehow we failed to see the signs: losing weight, a gaunt look etc.

It reminded me when I was younger and a family member developed an eating disorder. It wasn't until a friend pointed it out the it became obvious that they had lost an unhealthy amount of weight.

I suppose you can put it down to being to close to the issue. When things
develop slowly you an barely see a difference. It's when you take a step back you notice the changes.

Its a little bit like when I visit my home town, I go back every month or so, and slowly it changes. There was a time when I always spotted someone I knew while wandering around Church street. That happens rarely now.

Since I only see my Uncle on a similar, monthly at best basis, I should have spotted the changes and I think I did. I'm just rubbish at actually talking to people about the things that matter.

However, it is mainly down to the individual to do the actual hard thing. It's typical of a man to be rubbish at going to see a doctor... is that a pride thing. I'm not sure!

# posted by Phil @ 9:39 pm

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