Monday 14 May 2018

The C word

Benedict Ambrose's tumour has decided it loves us so much, it would start growing back. We are not pleased.

"Is it cancerous?" I asked the neurosurgeon. I meant "malignant," but "cancerous" is what I said.

The neurosurgeon, who was cross at the tumour, snapped, "It's all cancer."

It was the first time anyone had admitted it was "cancer," by the way. B.A. and I told people for months it wasn't cancer because we thought it wasn't cancer. We thought it was like an extra toenail.

"Cancer is a layman's term," huffed Mr Neurosurgeon.

"We are laymen," I thought but remained meekly silent. Mr Neurosurgeon was clearly taking this personally. His self-esteem clearly relies on conquering tumours, and we love him for it.

I'm telling you all this because I think I'm going to shut down my blog again. I may start some other blog, one heavy on the kittens and puppies, so I'm just letting you know why "The Historical House" and I will disappear from this location of the blogosphere.

The tumour is small, and oncologists will shoot it dead with ray-guns. That is all we know for now.
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33 comments:

  1. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 16:44

    Oh! I am so sorry. I will increase my prayers for you and B.A. I enjoy your writing and will miss your posts.

    Rachel

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  2. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 17:16

    You and Benedict Ambrose are in my prayers. God bless!
    --Amused

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  3. Jessica14 May 2018 at 17:19

    I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm praying for both of you.

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  4. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 17:20

    So sorry to hear this. My girlfriend and I were just talking yesterday about how much we've benefited from your writing (she read your book; I've read this blog for a while now). Will be praying for you both and dearly hope you keep writing wherever possible.

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  5. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 18:21

    Continued prayers for you and BA!

    --Emma

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  6. hip2bsquare14 May 2018 at 18:39

    Praying for you and B.A.

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  7. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 20:53

    Praying for you and B.A.

    -Sciencegirl

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  8. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 21:00

    I'm so sorry! I've very much been inspired by your writings and your life. Prayers for a quick and final destruction of the tumour.

    Kansas

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  9. Anonymous14 May 2018 at 22:11

    May the neurosurgeon's ego be swelled by ever-increasing success, God willing.

    In spite of protests from various writers, it is hard not to think of cancer as some kind of
    Enemy to be defeated.

    Clio

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  10. Magdalena14 May 2018 at 23:57

    Oh no! I will continue to pray for enough strength for you both and for complete healing!

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  11. KimP15 May 2018 at 01:15

    I am so sorry and will pray for you both. And I am so sad.

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  12. Holly15 May 2018 at 01:42

    I will miss you in this space. I've followed you for a long time, and I hate that this is part of your story right now. Sending prayers and love.

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  13. Stephanie15 May 2018 at 02:14

    Prayers for you both!

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  14. Mary15 May 2018 at 03:21

    Oh no, I am so sorry! :( Praying hard to Our Lady of Fatima for B.A.'s healing. Inexpressibly grateful for everything you have written and given to us all.

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  15. Jen V15 May 2018 at 03:27

    How discouraging this must feel. I will continue to pray for you both.

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  16. Anonymous15 May 2018 at 09:43

    Such awful news. I'm so sorry Seraphic. I will pray for you both, am heading to Knock next month, will have Masses said for you there. I will ask our local Legion of Mary to pray for you too. And I will pray for you both and for the surgeon to load up the guns. Are their any particular saints you wants us to pray to, as well as The Immaculate Heart of Mary of course?

    Sinéad.

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  17. Christine15 May 2018 at 12:14

    I'm sorry to hear BA's news and to see you go. I hope you will drop a post here if you ever re-enter the blogosphere. Grace and peace to you both.

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  18. booklover15 May 2018 at 13:53

    Oh, no. I can't even imagine how discouraging that must be. We are praying for you, and I'm so grateful for all you have given us through your writing. (I still go back and re-read my favorite Seraphic posts occasionally. :)

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  19. Zagorka15 May 2018 at 13:55

    I too will keep praying. For health, for strenght, for grace.

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  20. truthfinder15 May 2018 at 15:14

    I’ll be praying for you and BA, and second Sinéad’s question about any particular intercessors?

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  21. Clare15 May 2018 at 15:26

    Praying for you both, for healing and courage!
    This is very sad news. Thank you though for instructing and entertaining us over the years with your writing talent. I’ll be asking Our Lady of Fatima to heal BA.

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  22. Anonymous15 May 2018 at 16:18

    Praying for both of you. Thank you for all of your writing.

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  23. Anonymous15 May 2018 at 23:10

    Thank you for your beautiful writing. Never found anything better to read. MAy God always shine His light on you.

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  24. Anonymous15 May 2018 at 23:22

    Praying for you both dear Aunty. Such hideous news.

    Thank you for everything, your blogs have been of great help and comfort to me over the years.

    Aussie girl in New Zealand (though not really a girl anymore as I'm 37)

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  25. Mrs McLean15 May 2018 at 23:28

    Thank you everyone! Benedict Ambrose told me that he read all these comments and was really pleased. He is especially grateful for all the prayers and Masses being said for him.

    He said St. Dymphna is a patron saint for brains and also he has a devotion to Venerable Margaret Sinclair, who is from Edinburgh. He also is fond of St. Benedict of Nursia, St. Ambrose and also Saint Mark. But of course we hope too that the Immaculate Heart "will triumph" again!

    I am such an inveterate writer I am sure to write something fun again at SOME point.

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  26. Anonymous16 May 2018 at 00:30

    I am so sorry to hear this, and I will keep Benedict Ambrose in my prayers, especially for a successful treatment. Thank you for the list of patron saints to invoke!

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  27. Anonymous16 May 2018 at 00:55

    Praying for you both. Such tough news but may Jesus and Mary protect and aid you.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous16 May 2018 at 17:03

      You are both in my prayers! I always enjoy reading your posts.

      Kathleen

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  28. Heather16 May 2018 at 16:45

    I am so sorry to hear this news. I have been following along from almost the beginning of your blogs. You and your husband have been in our prayers and we will be praying again for his recovery! St. Dymphna, St. Benedict, St. Ambrose, St. Mark, Ven. Margaret Sinclair, pray for the McLeans!

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  29. Anonymous16 May 2018 at 18:40

    Dear Dorothy - I have been reading your blog faithfully. I have and will continue to keep both you and your husbands in my prayers. I pray to God that B.A. will recover.

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  30. PolishTraveler21 May 2018 at 17:43

    I'm so sorry to hear about that. You have been an inspiration to me for years and I credit your writings for the encouragement to wait for Mr. Perfect-for-me.
    I'll offer our (in)fertility struggles in yours and BA's intentions. And hope that at some time you come back to the writinge space. I know I and many others would gladly welcome you back.

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  31. Jasmina22 May 2018 at 09:39

    You are in my prayers!

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  32. Anonymous15 June 2018 at 08:21

    I'm sorry for your nieszczęcie. May Holy Mary come to your rescue! Amen.

    -Emilka

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