Friday 1 March 2013

Holding the fort

Well, as you may have gathered, it's been a crappy few weeks for Lisa, and while she recovers from the latest The Bullshit™ has to offer, she's asked me, Jonze, to fill you all in on what's been happening. And so, while stepping into her shoes is a bit scary (I look silly in Louboutins for a start), I'm not missing an opportunity to sneakily take over (well, borrow) the reins.

Before I do that though, while things have been a bit shite, I've been helping out on Twitter, posting a few updates here and there as I get them from Lisa and P. A lot of you have been concerned, a lot of you have sent really kind messages and all of you want to know more about how the old bird is doing.

As for me, while I'm slightly in the loop, it's been a tough time for Lisa and family, and I've only had the odd update here and there. Nonetheless, despite not having the Lisa Lynch knack for turning medical timelines into nifty prose (and being terrified of incurring her grammatical wrath), it falls to me to tell the tale.

Basically, here's the story. After Lisa had Gamma Knife treatment in November, things got really bad, and she ended up being rushed into hospital on Christmas day. Emergency chemo started a few days later, and after a few really rough days that knocked the proverbial shit out of her, she managed to emerge from a near coma and show off with what her doctors described as a 'miraculous' recovery.

After a couple of weeks of getting past the physical and emotional shock of those grim few days and returning home, she started a new round of chemo and transfusions at the end of January, but a few days later the pain increased again. A CT scan showed evidence of an old subdural bleed which hadn't been spotted before, and she was admitted to Trinity Hospice on the 12th with renewed symptoms.

As of now, she's back at Trinity Hospice, doing a bit better, getting her mojo back and cracking bad jokes, but understandably it's been quite a start to 2013 and everybody's focus is naturally on making sure she's looked after.

The last time I saw Lisa was just before Christmas, literally hours before all this kicked off, and it was as good a cup of tea and a natter as I could hope for. Whenever we catch up, I always have a brief moment of recoil that I'm not talking to "LISA LYNCH – THE WEB'S TOP CANCER BITCH!!!" but my old mate who I've known for 15 years, who lent me all her Eddie Izzard videos and likes shit TV and arguing about Derby County with @wardotron while I sit quietly and wait for the conversation to get interesting again.

Last time we met, we talked about this blog, what it means to her and to you the reader, and while it's not been shits and giggles in the intervening time, I think the positive vibe we both took away from that chat remains. Lisa wants this blog to thrive and while I'm at the helm I'm going to bloody well make sure it does.

I've spoken to a lot of people for whom alrighttit.com is important and loved, and it's clear there's a community here. So for the next few weeks, we're opening it up. Lisa's done guest posts before (even for the likes of me), and while things get back to normal, we want more. If you'd like to guest blog on here, give me a shout at @quarkmonkey and I'll run it by the big boss lady.

In the mean time, I'll make sure to pass along the latest from Alrighttit Towers as I hear it.

Till next time...

Jonze.

22 comments:

Alexandra said...

Thank you so much for the update, and I commend your tone and grammar! Please pass on ALL love and best wishes, Hemmo xxxx

Jenn Turner said...

Great to have an update, been concerned over Lisa's lack of posts and tweets. Thanks for sending update. Will also follow you on twitter now to make sure I see updates.

I do not know Lisa personally but feel I have come to know her very well. I had breast cancer in 2005 so could totally relate to what she was going through and sharing in her blog. Felt so desperately sorry for her when it came back but rooting for her and cheering when things were going well.

Thinking of her and wishing her the best as ever. Jenn Turner

Lulu said...

This post has made my day!! I've been super stalking the web to try and see if she is ok...
Sounds like its been an awful 2 months since Christmas.
Sending so much love and loads of good vibes to you Lisa, my blogger hero!
Lots of love
Lulu x x

Doesn't Sweat Much For A Fat Lass said...

Big Responsibility, and well done Jonze! Thanks for putting us in the picture.

Tell 'Big Boss Lady' I have thought of her often. Not that she's got a Scooby, who I am!!
Caroline x

Catriona said...

Thank you Jonze. I have chekced by on and off since Christmas and worried and wondered... I was even a bit trepidatious when I saw a new post up today. I have never commented here before but have lurked for a long time. very best wishes to Lisa and all who love her

The Impatient one said...

It's shit that it's been shit - but sunshine that it wasn't any shittier that it has been.
Tell the old dear that we miss her, and she needs to stop milking it now... and give her a gentle hug from me.

M said...

Thanks for updating us on Lisa.

Thinking of her and her family in this difficult time. Had a family member in trinity hospice a while back, the staff are so wonderful there.

AlwaysStriving said...

thank so very much for the update, I kept coming by and checking if she was back and looking on Twitter, its been a very dull timeline without her, positive thoughts and hopes for her as she kicks her symptoms in to touch xxxx

AlwaysStriving said...

thanks so much for the update I kept looking for her here and on twitter - its been so dull without her sparkling wit about - hope and positive thoughts to Lisa to kick these new symptoms in to touch xx

sg19 said...

Another lurker here. Thank you so much for the update. Thinking of you, Lisa, and all your family. Lots of love and strength on their way from Scotland. xxx

LunaTechChick said...

Thanks so much for keepin us in the loop. I can't tell you how much encouragement Lisa has given me, just in the few tweets we've exchanged. Of course she made a miraculous recovery. Never had a doubt. Please send her my love & good vibes from a fellow Bullshit scrapper. xx

HB said...

Lisa and family are never far from my thoughts.

Your friend Hannah across the pond

Unknown said...

So glad to see an update as been checking most days like most folks. As a fellow sufferer of the nonsense as I call it as cant really say the bullshit in front of my 2 young daughters - I loved the fact that Lisa named this dreadful disease when I read her book after being diagnosed 3 years ago. I have recently gone through an unexpected seizure and have been left without being able to drive for another month. One good thing is that my partner asked me to marry him and we got married in November. Lisa inspired me and her regular humour and fight inspires me never to give up and keep going. Hoping she comes through all this and is in my prayers. Xx

Titus 2 Thandi said...

Ahh. Had been wondering. Thank you for caring about the well-wishers and taking the time to keep us updated.Much appreciated. All the best to Lisa-near death experiences are not welcome!

Lara said...

Sending Lisa and her family much love and may the bright new days of spring herald healing, hope and continued love. Xxx

Claire said...

Hey Jonze, thank you so so much for this update. Lisa sounded so upbeat when she last posted and I admit I have been worried. Well done you for taking over the helm for a bit and lots of love to the lovely Lisa xxx

Alispuy said...

How is Lisa doing? Just wondering.

Nonamoose said...

Thanks Jonze for updating. I had noticed that Lise wasn't around and was wondering how she was doing. I am thinking of her and P and also you, for holding the fort.

Much love to all x

findit13 said...

Thanks for the update, and well done on taking over the reins. Hopefully Lisa will be back at home soon, and feeling better.

Simon Brown said...

Thanks for the update, really sorry it's been so bad, tell the big boss lady there's stacks of people wishing her well and praying hard.

gemmak said...

Whilst Lisa has obviously been having a pretty shit time I am so glad to hear news. I have been poking around all corners of the internet trying to find word. Thank you for stepping into the breach and Lisa, I hope things are improving, if anyone can kick the arse of this bullshit its you girl! x

GiddyGirl said...

Although Lisa's really been going through it I'm so pleased to get an update (thanks for that Jonze). I know she hates the word but I'm going to use it (even if it just winds her up!) She's bloody BRAVE and I've missed her tweets and her posts. Hang on in there tit!
Heidi xxx