My Friend Diane Is Fine
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
August 15, 2011 9:36am CST
True to form I didn't take Diane's telephone number to Mum's so I only got round to asking John for it on Friday night, therefore I was able to ring her on Saturday afternoon.
Some of you will know that Diane is someone I used to work with in the 1990s and she recently suffered a stroke. She lives in Blackpool, like my Mum so it made sense to ring her from there, even though she had her stroke about 2 months ago now.
I was nervous about ringing as I was worried she would have slurred speech and I'm not very good in those situations. Inwardly I'm sympathetic but my words can come out wrong and it sounds like I'm not being compassionate when I am. It's the Aries way..not very tactful.
Anyway, I needn't have worried as Diane's speech is perfect. This proves that her stroke was treated within the first hour of it happening, thus ensuring she didn't suffer too much. She told me it was all very scary but she hasn't lost her sense of humour, telling me that she's "never drinking coffee at Bob's again," Bob being the guy who she was visiting after work before picking her son up from Scouts.
I apologised to her for not ringing sooner but she told me not to worry about it but I'm under strict orders to ring her BEFORE I visit Mum next time so she can come round..which would be nice.
I'm so pleased she is on the road to recovery. She didn't mention work much and her doctor suspects the stroke may be linked to a liver condition she was diagnosed with about 8 years ago. I do hope she "milks" her sick leave as Diane is NEVER off which explains the concern of so many of her friends, including me. I didn't ask when she will go back to work but my guess would be next year at the earliest.
I reckon she needs some "me" time and, judging by her organisation for her son's 12th birthday party, she's enjoying every minute.
Good for her!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (17244)
• China
16 Aug 11
I have heard of her .You mentioned in previous dicussion that she is an resilient person.Fortunately,she has made a quick recovery from her illness.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Aug 11
She is a resilient person, you're right. It's one of her many positive traits. She is like a younger version of my Mum. Unfortunately, her own mother passed away (I think) in 2006 and she told me in a letter she misses her a lot.
At least she has her husband and son to think of now. It took her until she was 38 to give birth to Daniel, her only child but his 12th birthday party has made it all worthwhile as he's made new friends after their recent move.
Life is good for them which is why I'm so happy Diane is well again...back to her old self.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17244)
• China
17 Aug 11
In a word,nothing is so bad for her.Good will be rewarded with good.
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Aug 11
Nice to hear that she's ok.
What sort of work does she do?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Aug 11
She works in the Highways Department of the local council. I'm not sure what her job title is now but I reckon it will be Assistant Manager as the council cannot bring themselves to promote her to the top job. This is so typical in an environment where all the Highways Inspectors and Engineers are STILL male.
I left in 1996 and Di told me there are more of them!
It was great to hear her so upbeat. She had her son, Daniel, relatively late in life at 38 and I know it was something she really wanted..children.
Her life is now complete. All she needs now is recuperation and a bloody good time away from the stresses of work.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
15 Aug 11
Happy to hear that Diane is doing well.
I would have been nervous too to call her as well as sometimes I am at a lost for words during situations like this and afraid that my nerves would cause me to say too much. Glad to hear that the conversation was a pleasant one and that she is truly on a great path of full recovery.
Seems that some can be very blessed after a stroke while some are left with after maths. Nice that she is planning a great organized party for her son.
Thanks for sharing a lovely discussions as sometimes we need to hear about blessings so that we too can appreciate that not all of or our down moments are all that bad as others perhaps can be experiencing worse and yet still have great results. 
I would have been nervous too to call her as well as sometimes I am at a lost for words during situations like this and afraid that my nerves would cause me to say too much. Glad to hear that the conversation was a pleasant one and that she is truly on a great path of full recovery.
Seems that some can be very blessed after a stroke while some are left with after maths. Nice that she is planning a great organized party for her son.
Thanks for sharing a lovely discussions as sometimes we need to hear about blessings so that we too can appreciate that not all of or our down moments are all that bad as others perhaps can be experiencing worse and yet still have great results. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Aug 11
I think it may have been a blessing in disguise in some ways. Diane is one of those people that is continuously on the go. Granted, a party for her son is a major thing but, the difference here is that she's doing it on her own terms. She doesn't have to worry about work. She said a sweet thing. She told me that they moved from an isolated location (last year) because her child had no friends there. This is so typical of Di, thinking of others before herself. I guess the party reinforces the fact that the move was the right thing to do.
