The CBB :: View topic - seen in a different light

#1: seen in a different light Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:50 pm

This ones been gnawing at me for a while after reading some of the other discussions, and last night it really got its teeth into me. 2nd half to come later.

“You’re completely sure?”

“I’m afraid so.” replied the doctor. “I’m so sorry my dear.”

His sympathy was cut short “How long?”

“It’s difficult to say. It depends how it responds to treatment. And there are new methods being developed all the time.”

“And how long until it starts to show?”

“Again, I can’t tell you. You could continue to live a normal life for years.”

“Or?”

“You could be in a wheelchair in a few months.”

The doctor was full of admiration for the women sitting opposite him. May patients would have fallen apart at the news he had just given her, but she took it calmly, demanding to be told the worst-case scenario.

She was gazing into nothing now, taking in what he’d said and planning her course of action. Suddenly the dark eyes focused on him again “You’ve not told anyone else?” she asked sharply.

“No-one,” he assured her, “but if you would like me to?”

“No.” it was said very firmly. “I don’t want anyone to know.”

“But my dear, surely your husband?”

“Especially not him.” she said, “I couldn’t bear for him to be watching me, waiting for the day when I start to deteriorate, looking for signs and worrying every time I feel tired that it’s the beginning of the end. I don’t want anyone to know anything about it until they have to.”

“I know you’re friends,” she continued “but you can’t tell him. If you breathe even the slightest hint I’ll report you for breach of patient confidentiality. I mean it Sir James.” she spoke quite fiercely and he gave up his protestations and agreed.

#2: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:26 pm

Eeeep. Who is it?!!!!!! No Joey, from the sound of it. Who else?!

#3: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:34 pm

My first thought was Mary-Lou, but I don't think she's got dark eyes. Ready for more when you have it, Liz Smile

Ray *camping out*

#4: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:44 pm

Grizel was my first thought, but probably isn't. Looking forward to next bit Liz.

#5: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:50 pm

I wonder who on earth it is, who calls Jem Sir James... Looking fprward to more when you can.

#6: Author: Elzbie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:53 pm

My first thought was Joey. Hmmmmm. One of the staff?

#7: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:01 pm

I was thinking Bill or Hilda but they don't have husbands... *Intrigued*

#8: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:07 pm

It could be Sir James Talbot remember. Then it could easily be Joey.

#9: Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:08 pm

Oooh...Phoebe? Um...Con? (being very formal) OK, no more ideas. How about more drabble?! Very Happy

ETA: having read Pat's post...in that case, could be Madge?

#10: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:13 pm

That's a very good point Pat, now I'm even more confused as to who it could be!

#11: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:21 pm

Pat wrote:

It could be Sir James Talbot remember. Then it could easily be Joey.

That was my first thought too, Pat. Very intriguing! Star Wars

#12: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:25 pm

Despite the risk of breaking medical confidentiality, I do think we come in the need to know category! We promise not to tell her husband, so how about it, Liz?

#13: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:57 pm

I wondered that two Pat!! I am very intrigued and have no idea thought my first reaction was Madge, no idea why though! All this leads me to say, more please Liz!!

#14: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:02 pm

I think it has to be SIr James Talbot... but I need to know more!!!!!!!!!!!

#15: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:32 pm

Thanks Liz! But please could you satisfy our curiosity and give us more! Very Happy

#16: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:52 pm

My first thoughts were also Sir James Talbot and Madge. And is the diagnosis Multiple Sclerosis?

#17: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:21 pm

I thought MS or motor-neurone disease but I can't figure out who it is.

#18: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:25 pm

Alzheimer's? and I agree it's probably Sir James Talbot and I think it's Joey

#19: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:32 pm

Well diagnosed Vikki and Mora

Multiple Sclerosis. It was such an ugly name, but then it was an ugly disease. She hadn’t known much about it until today, but Sir James Talbot had given her as much information as he could. It was now down to her to decide what to do with however long she had left.

She remembered once hearing someone say that nobody dies wishing they’d spent more time at work, but many people regret not spending more time with their family.

She suddenly realised how little time she’d spent with her children. For years they’d been at boarding school, a lot of their lives the girls hadn’t even been in the same country. Had she done the right thing, sending them away? Yes they were happy there and they’d had a good education, but had they missed out on being a family because of that?

She pulled herself up short. She couldn’t afford to waste time wondering and regretting. She had to focus on what she had left. From now on, each day that the disease didn’t progress was a precious gift and she would do what she could to make the most of them.

By the time her husband arrived home that evening her mind was made up. She waited until he was seated in his favourite chair and poured him some tea.

“Jem,” she said, “why don’t we take the children with us to Australia.”

THE END

#20: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:35 pm

Ooooh!!!!! That explains so much!!! Thank you Liz!!!!! Poor Madge!

#21: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:37 pm

Well I got one out of three! Wink

#22: Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:10 pm

Wow! Thank you, Liz. Madge's behaviour in the Swiss books finally explained. I guessed who, but not when. Brilliant timing.

#23: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:12 pm

Excellent explanation that completely throws a different light on Madge's behaviour! Thanks Liz!

#24: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:14 pm

Well, was totally off on the person. But I did figure the disease out. Thanks for this Liz. And thanks for tackling MS as a subject matter as well.

Last edited by Josie on Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

#25: Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:22 pm

What a brilliant idea, a perfect explanation, thanks Liz. Also hoping for more...

#26: Author: Elzbie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 7:52 pm

Thank you Liz, this does explain a lot. Poor Madge.

#27: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:02 pm

Thank you Liz. I always liked Madge but the way she took the children to Australia thus depriving Sybil of needlework college made me feel I should dislike thiis selfish aspect of her character. It's nice to see an explanation that shows her in a nicer light.

#28: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:03 pm

That was a brilliant fill-in, like everybody else has said it explains a lot. Star Wars

#29: Author: Kim, Location: Tipperary, Ireland

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:06 pm

congrats - excellent drabble and cliff Guessed MS and Sir James Talbot but not Madge Difficult disability but effects vary widely from person to person

#30: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:57 pm

Ohhh that was a perfect mini fill in, full of cliffs and twists!

#31: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:59 pm

I feel really sorry for being mean about Madge in the Swiss books now! Sad

Thanks Liz!

#32: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:04 pm

Brilliant Liz - that does explain a lot. It makes Madge much more sympathetic but the whole situation potentially much more sad. I'm not sure which 'reality' I prefer!

#33: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 1:08 am

For some incalculable reason I'd guessed the right people & disease -- but the punchline about Australia came out of the blue. Wonderful!

#34: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 10:36 am

A great explanation, thank you Liz but poor Madge

#35: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 10:51 am

Thank you liz! Poor Madge.

#36: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 10:53 am

WOW

#37: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:17 pm

Kathy_S wrote:

For some incalculable reason I'd guessed the right people & disease -- but the punchline about Australia came out of the blue. Wonderful!

Me too! I just assumed it to take place after the end of the series! Don't know why!

#38: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:33 pm

Well that does show Madge's decision in a much better light, I was completely surprised by the ending though, I'd assumed it was post series too. Thanks Liz!

#39: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:04 pm

That was great Liz, an explanation that gives a much more favourable impression of Madge's behaviour.

#40: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:20 pm

What a great fill in! Thanks Liz. It could well explain a lot, including why she became 'that sweet Lady Russell, given that the symptoms can be so vague at the beginning. Perhaps she had minor episodes that left her a little weak even that far back?

#41: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:58 pm

Thank you Liz lovely fill-in story. As others have said it explains a lot.

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