Its Over Thank God - Who else feels like this

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

I agree. Although we are having 8 family over tonight for a buffet. I can't wait for tomorrow. That's when it will be over for us.

No stress here at all, our new DiL currently lives here, is a chef and took over all prep and cooking, it was lovely x

Pammie1

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

Wish you a full recovery

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

I too BA69 am glad that it's more or less over now and we can relax once again. I was lucky this year though as when we pootled over to see my daughter's family in the evening we were offered to enjoy a Christmas lunch. It was such a relief not to have to cook it. My granddaughter and her fiance were out and about much of the day working and also visiting family and I had no idea when they would return. It all worked out well in the end though and we all watched the last episode of Gavin and Stacey . Today we're relaxing having opened our gifts. It's OVER! Anniversary and birthdays are next on the Agenda

Cossy

Pammie1

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

Wish you a full recovery

Thank you so much. Considering it’s only been a week I’m feeling much better. Had my first shower yesterday after they took the drain out on Tuesday, and feeling more human now !!

All the best for a swift and full recovery, Pammie.

I agree that there is a lot of hype, weeks of build up and too many expectations for one day. Add in differing family traditions, personality clashes, alcohol and the stress of a bigger meal that we want to be perfect, and it's a lot to do.

I've enjoyed it, and ours was quiet by many standards, but two adult children with different work patterns, partners doing their own thing, distances between us all (and the ensuing travel arrangements), different diets, different bedtimes, different favourite TV shows - it all adds up.

Then there's the fact that we are still in the town where they grew up, so they have friends here who have come back for Christmas with their own parents, and they want to go out to catch up with them, too. All of this has to happen over a couple of days before they have to go back to work, which can make for a stressful time.

I've had houseguests since 21st, and I'll be quite relieved when I get the place back to ourselves, if I'm honest. After a while I'll have forgotten the frustrations and be looking forward to it all again though. I think this contributes too. If we remembered and looked at it without the rose-coloured glasses it would lower the expectations.

Ho ho ho.

Nanato3 That's very sad.

Nanato3
For you 🎁

Pammie1, wishing you a good recovery. I know how gruelling the treatment is. I'm glad Christmas is over, mines was a disastrous day and I have a close family member going through treatment like yourself. I just didn't ' feel' Christmas this year, but did our best to celebrate( though it kinda fell flat). Hogmanay I will be in my bed, next year won't be a good year for us either. Anyway, going to stop now. I hope everyone else is having a nice time.

Boxing Day! My favourite day of the year. The pressure's off and there's lots of leftovers for bubble and squeak.

Nanato3

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

I'm sorry to hear that, Nanato3.

I hope you feel better soon Pammie

sorry to everyone who finds Christmas hard

Love and hugs to Pammiel💐 for a speedy recovery.

I am just sitting down for 10 mins after preparing turkey lunch for 5 minus husband in hospital. We were with him yesterday so today we are having our Xmas lunch at home.

I have cut back a bit …. Turkey crown instead of whole turkey and not bothering with bread sauce as only myself and husband like it. Have made forcemeat balls, cocktail sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, red cabbage, peas so it should still be nice.

It doesn’t seem like Christmas at all without my husband. At first I was in shock and extremely worried as they said his condition was very serious indeed. As the days went by I had very mixed emotions but at the moment I feel like this is just a dream or it’s happening to someone else.

Anyway, the nights are slightly lighter, we have food and drink and I have been overwhelmed with cards and good wishes from friends and neighbours so in many ways I am fortunate.

Sending healing hugs, love and to Pammie and Nanato and to any GNetter who is feeling unwell or just 'lost' now.
I have also been putting things into perspective recently as I found myself in an unpleasant situation but which seems so trivial when I read about what others are having to live through.

Pammie1

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

You went through it and came out the other side .

Sincere best wishes for the coming year. I like that you've laid the groundwork for next Christmas - no fuss and no marathon cooking. What's not to like!

Nanato3

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

That is so hurtful, Nanato3. 💐

I waited and waited for the Christmas dinner my daughter had insisted she was bringing, me by 2:30pm I was starving so did myself some toasted cheese. She finally turned up at 5.00pm saying she fell asleep. The dinner was okay but I’ve had better. The best thing was my granddaughter eight months pregnant waddled in to see me.
I gave her the baby things I had crocheted, little hat, little jacket and pram blanket and she loved them, thank goodness as one of my other granddaughters didn’t, called them old-fashioned. That was my visitors for the day and as I was still feeling a bit rough following on IBS attack I was pleased to be on my own with the telly and my iPad for company.
Today I slept in late, I’ve just had tea and toast and as I don’t anticipate any visitors, I’m just going to have a duvet day.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day and whatever you’re doing today.
Last night, I was remembering the Boxing Days of years ago when I used to have my mother all day and all the family in the evening, it was hard work but I loved it and now I’m so glad I did it as I’ve got some lovely memories, but oh I did miss my husband and I’ll be glad when this year has gone.

I have not been a great lover of Christmas since there were no longer any young children in the family. I spent the day alone through choice last year and enjoyed it so much I opted for the same again. I ate my favourite baked Camembert for my meal and loved the simplicity. Coincidently I too have had breast cancer surgery recently, and start radiotherapy on Monday, although I have not found it a worry due to the good success rate these days. Added to the sudden need to have my lovely Bengal cat put to sleep last week I have been pleased to have such a relaxed day.
Cards and minimal decorations will be down at the end of today and I shall breathe a sigh of relief that it is over!

Pammiel Having had breast cancer myself I fully understand what you are going through. I remember my first shower after surgery. It was wonderful. Wishing you a speedyb

Sorry wishing you a speedy recovery. Arthritic fingers xx

Nanato3

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

I am so shocked Nanato.. such thoughtless people.. I hope you have a lovely New Year.. a big hug to you

I’m sad to read of so many of you who have been stressed and disappointed in Christmas.
We spent yesterday with family , 10 of us from 3 to 92 and will all join up again this afternoon plus 22 year old DGS.
We have had illness and some bad news but have made the best of it and still managed to eat, play games and have some laughs.
We count ourselves truly lucky.