| Author | Message | ||
     Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 2405 Registered: 9-2001  |
Yah, Greenie, but she will come to you, and you will gladly and lovingly help her, and you both know it, regardless--that is the most wonderful and maddening thing about love. Sure glad you have somewhere like MOL to sound off and blow off some of that very legitimate anger, because love like that ain't easy on the heart. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1876 Registered: 9-2003  |
A quickie as I must get washed/dressed for work. I brought Curt home last night! He gained 9 lbs in the last week so he's up to 109 (not quite so portly as yer ma, greenetree, but workin' on it). His cat is thrilled and slept with him on the couch, tho she's still yowling her distaste for the flavor of Friskies I'd bought. We all had din-din, and later -- in the night, while I was asleep -- he got up and made a small sandwich with leftover fillet. Now he's singing "There's a party goin' on 'round here..." Anyway, anyone of a mind to, feel free to stop by during the day and knock loudly on the front door (no doorbell but the dog). Or call! He's way happy to be home. Thanks for all yer good wishes. I must call the doc for a follow up next week, but he's home, a bit fatter and considerably stronger... | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9965 Registered: 1-2003  |
That's pretty amazingly good. Home! He's home! And he gained 9 pounds in a week. Jeez, what next.  | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 488 Registered: 10-2003 |
Speechless. Happy as anything, yet speechless. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5521 Registered: 5-2001  |
While I'm happy for Curt & the rest of the Cyns, I'm not sure what the big deal is about gaining 9 pounds in one week. I manage to do it all the time. That's great. Must be something about the apples; mom has apple pie & cheddar cheese for breakfast every morning & Curt likes apple sweets, too. Great time of year for both of them! | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 2407 Registered: 9-2001 |
He is gaining weight and I bet you are feeling tons lighter. Have fun fattening him up for Christmas. This is truly great news. | ||
| wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 1720 Registered: 5-2001 |
"I'm not sure what the big deal is about gaining 9 pounds in one week. I manage to do it all the time."  Cyn, what absolutely fantastic news. I'll call tomorrow and try to stop by tomorrow - with or without something with apples - CLK seems to be on that. Wendy | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5529 Registered: 5-2001 |
I must confess to being more than a little nervous. Mom is running a slight fever & has a headache. She talked to her doc & they gave her instructions to come in tomorrow for blood work or go to the hospital if her temp hits 101. It will be hard tomorrow with the start of the holiday, but she wants to stay home and sleep and deal with it herself. This is how most of her blood infections start and she may not have been on the antibiotic long enough. This will probably delay chemo - Friday was supposed to be her last day of this regimen. She is not exhibiting bad judgment, only independence. So, I have to ride with it. It is very hard to do. But, she swore she would take a cab if no one was around to drive her to the doctor. I mentioned her coming to stay awhile again. No go. If it's not one thing, it's your mother...... | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1877 Registered: 9-2003 |
Boy, isn't that the truth. What a pill that this fever has cropped up. She sounds well enough to handle this her own way -- does she then resume the antibiotic? In any case, good luck with this blowing over quickly... | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22438 Registered: 6-2001  |
Sent you an email, GT. Hope you hear Mom's feeling much better tomorrow. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5537 Registered: 5-2001 |
Haven't checked e-mail yet. Mom went to the doc - no fever. She's waiting for the culture results. I feel a little bad because she was going to go to a staff meeting at her office today. She was pissed that they scheduled it on Yom Kippur, but really wanted to make her first meeting in almost a year. She couldn't find anyone to drive her. I don't think she's quite confident enough yet to drive 45 minutes away. But, she's doing well! | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 2424 Registered: 9-2001 |
After what your mom has been through, I find it hard to believe that G-d (if there is one) would not understand the importance of going to that meeting on Yom Kippur. She is certainly owed a pass on this one! Hope she is feeling better today. | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 2055 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cyn - I'm thrilled to hear how well Curt is doing, and how at ease you are sounding. What a relief. Greene - I know the dread you feel about the possibility of a new infection. Glad she's feeling well enough to go to work. It really does suck that they had a staff meeting on YK. But I'm thinking greenemom has pretty well atoned this year. Deb | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5555 Registered: 5-2001 |
So, yesterday afternoon, I ask mom if she got the results of the culture back yet. She was very vague; they'll call. I asked if she was still going to have chemo today. She said "of course" but that she was a little annoyed that she told them she needed the prophylactic antibiotic called in a day ahead of time, since her drugstore has to order liquid antibiotics. They hadn't done it yet. So, this morning, I call the oncologist's office. I wasn't bossy, I simply said that my mother sounded a little confused yesterday & that I wanted to make sure that they touched bases with her before chemo about the labs. I also said that I didn't know if the doctor had definitely decided to do prophylactic antibiotics or had really forgotten to call it in. I asked that he make sure that she understood the game plan. I just got a phone call. "Did we have fun this morning, making our calls"? "Not particularly. I'm actually busy". "The nurse said 'your daughter called' and I just said 'oh, god'. She said 'don't shoot the messenger'". "Well, when I talked to you yesterday, you were very vague about the infection and the treatment". "I never outright answered you. I just hadn't called yet". "Mom, did you think that not answering would stop me from calling"? "I guess I should have known better". "Right. So, next time, just tell me everything you know or don't know. There was a time when you needed me to make these calls. You are a lot of work, you know that"? She laughed. Then, one of her friends showed up to keep her company (Greenemom's Chemo Happy Hour). I told her to make sure that she didn't leave out the part where she neglected to give me the facts when she was regaling her friend with the story of how much of a control freak I am. This is the last round of this chemo. If it doesn't work, we try third line. Keep your fingers crossed. Poptart guy has invited everyone to have Xmas in Chicago. I really hope mom will go. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 6480 Registered: 5-2001 |
Yesterday in synagogue, we atoned for the sin of taking our good health for granted. I don't see how anyone reading this thread could ever ever do that again (if in fact s/he ever did). I'm so glad that Curt and Greenemom will soon be joining the ranks of those who can feel the need to atone for this sin in the coming year. | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 2056 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have to say that Yom Kippur was more meaningful than ever, this year. I thought about forgiveness and pride and time wasted in ways I never have before. | ||
| wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 1726 Registered: 5-2001 |
Amen to that. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1878 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm owing you guys an update. All is okey-doke. Curt's been home since Monday, and this week he's gained about 10 lb depending on day/time counted and attire. He's eating good, and making food for himself -- and a couple of time, all of us dinner (meatloaf one night). He went out on Friday with a friend to a diner and similar. He's got a walker-frame thing that he uses sometimes. In short, he's coming along. I'm on deck to get an appointment with his onocologist (to see what fun awaits). He did get our kid's cold, which is a drag but a bit inevitable in a family. Nurse comes in like twice a week to check him out. PT lady comes in similarly and makes him do laps around the downstairs and a few other exercises. I'm somewhat calmer. Licket split (due to deadline, and concerned tax guy in Delaware) I got our tax stuff in for last year. Somehow, the vicissitudes of this past year kep me from doing so. Owe a mess of money due to serious underpayment on Curt's last year freelance, but over time I imagine we'll get it taken care of (been through this before). Now, I can start the process of applying him for disability -- much needed as I've been getting us along on some ve-r-r-y creative credit card behavior, which technique is nearing the end. Most of the bathroom ceiling is on the floor, and leaking into strategicially placed buckets and pots, but a dear friend has organized a sort of mini Extreme Makeover-Maplewood Edition on this so help is on the way. So, I'm countin' my blessings, doing the wash, shovelling up the bathroom ceiling and all like that. Worked sucked the big one this week, but well that's work. greenetree, if that paperclip counting job is still open, I'm in! So, I'm takin' care of business and hoping this trend continues. And thanking you all for all of your help in so many ways... | ||
| wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 1728 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cyn, thanks so much for the update - wonderful to hear. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to stop by on Wednesday; too crazy busy leading up to that evening (Kol Nidre). I'll call you over the weekend. Regards to Curt and your lovely daughter. | ||
| maple Citizen Username: Maple Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2003 |
Debby............I hope things are going well for your father..and your mom | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10083 Registered: 1-2003 |
A cold can be really debilitating when you're on chemo. It happened to my wife. It was the worst period during chemo for her. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5564 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cyn - are you walking around with a silly grin on your face that belies your name, but you can't/don't want to wipe off? Feels good, doesn't it? | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1883 Registered: 9-2003 |
Well, close, greenetree. The smiley thing was going on this week. By today, let's just say that I know things are normal-er cuz I feel ordinary family stresses, ups and downs, fusses about who left the kitchen a mess and so on. Rest assured I'm trying to keep my mind balanced. He has no recollection of much of what got him to where he was, though he is eating and most definitely intent on not returning to there. One of my husband's personality characteristics is that, like the Fonz, he has a certain degree of difficulty in acknowleging when he's wrong (like he now knows regarding eating and drinking enough, back when I was badgering him). He thinks that I, being a female, overfuss health behaviors. In some ways, he's always been an old-style stereotypical guy about eating vegetables, drinking enough fluids, and any of that stuff that seems overfussy-female-new agey-sandles-wearing. Yeah, right. Tom, he's not resumed chemo as yet. First we go see the doc. I'm sure he will be resuming, just a question of endoscopy and such first? then chemo? or what.... | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 2060 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thank you for asking about them, Maple. Dad was suddenly doing a lot better - two weeks ago he walked for the first time in PT. Was walking 200 ft at a shot (with a walker), getting in and out of bed and a chair with human support but without a mechanical lift, even got into and out of a car. Got off the catheter, started eating eating better, things were really looking up. Then last weekend he slid the other way just as randomly - blood in the urine, mental decline. My poor Mom finally allowed herself to feel hopeful for the first time, and the progress stopped. There's a part of me that wonders if the backslide isn't somewhat emphasized in her reports (I get all my information from her). Not that she doesn't want him to do well, but that maybe feeling hopeful was scary and at the slightest setback she's kicking herself (I think it was Cyn who once posted about hesitating to post positive news, anticipating that it would change later). The nice thing is that we just found out my brother and his wife are expecting twins - and that is a mighty life-affirming bit of news. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1885 Registered: 9-2003 |
Seize the life-affirming news, Debby. Yep, I imagine it's hard for your mother to accept the hopeful news because of fear that it won't last. I still struggle with that. I've said to las and others that I've experienced psychological whiplash of late. One wants to protect one's self, which makes it real hard to go emotionally with the up's as one is so sure there's a down to follow. Generally in life I guess we're all big enough to know that life isn't a constant, but in these kinds of times, part of you wants to withdraw a bit and not engage too much emotionally in the highs. Equally, we want to control/predict the future based on present and past data. It is hard when you feel you can't. I feel for your Mom, and for you in this. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 6492 Registered: 5-2001 |
Debby: Unfortunately, healing after such a long and serious illness takes time. A few steps foward and one or two back is difficult to watch but not so bad if the end result is still a forward progression. Here's hoping that your father soon makes so much forward progress that any back sliding will be so minimal as to be undetected. Mazel Tov on the twins. That is wonderful news! | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2263 Registered: 9-2002  |
Hope this doesn't offend anyone but this bit from The Onion reminded me of the sometimes dark humor in this thread. I thought it was pretty funny. http://www.theonion.com/content/node/41449 | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5582 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wendy - that is twisted in ways I can't even articulate. I spent 3 hours calling mom on Saturday. I was worried because she had chemo, even with the fever earlier in the week. Couldn't get her. I finally called her friend who checks up on her. She told me that she'd gone over at noon & mom was just getting up. When I still couldn't reach her at 4p, I called the friend back. She was at her grandson's football game, but promised she'd go check on mom. Three minutes later, the phone rings. It's mom. She's very tired & a little queasy, but fine. It turns out I'd been calling her cell phone. I told her she needs to talk to her oncologist about forgetting to turn her cell phone on in the house. Chemo can cause memory problems, you know....  BTW - I am so very, very proud of Baby Bro, He did a grown up thing: he called mom & told her that he was going to come with us and bring the babies to visit at the end of the month. Of course, it suddenly occurs to me that my usual routine of sleeping on his couch, getting up at 6:30a, going to Starbucks & catching a cab to LaGuardia at 7a will be slightly disrupted. I'll probably have to get up at some ungodly hour (like 6:30a on a Saturday isn't bad enough) to help get everything together. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1895 Registered: 9-2003 |
That is funny, wendyn! greenetree, I had something like your phone fun with Curt yesterday. I kept calling him on home phone, cell, and e-mail. No reply. So, I worry. Turns out the phone was f'ed up. Here, The Cold is lifting. I had a big blow-up at kid and Curt on weekend (accumulated psychological dustbunnies under the bed). Left the house for a good half-hour just telling them individually to get it together or I was going to move to the garage. Well, other expletives were involved. Since times, he's not fussed at me about taking certain of his possible medicines (this gross tasting protein supplement and Megase) that he thought he didn't need as he thought he was eating enough. And the kid has been modestly more appreciative of my efforts. I guess I'm worn. Plus, a young woman who works for me just lost her dad to cancer. She's kinda shy, from the Philipines. She'd asked me some questions at times, discretely, as she and her sister are the primary "culture translators" for the rather traditional parents. I felt so badly for her. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5602 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cyn - that's tough. On one hand, you want to be there for someone else because you know how damned hard it is & it feels good to help someone else. OTOH, you feel like "Can't it stop for 10 minutes? Go away!!!!" I had a good 3 hours of panic yesterday when mom could not be found and was not answering either phone. Her friend finally went to the house; she wasn't home. She'd gone out for lunch, had a doctor's appointment and was on the cell phone when I called & didn't pick up the call waiting. She called me & had the nerve to get indignant. Am I supposed to report to you whenever I leave the house? Yes. That's ridiculous. I don't even keep that close tabs on GMF. I don't care. Besides, I don't care if she dies. Neither does she. How many times have I called and could tell something wasn't right and sent help? Once. No, twice, but once is enough. You get ER-level sick in a minute, with no prior warning. I always call you when I'm going to the hospital. That doesn't worry me. I know you are getting help. It's when you are alone and need help that I stress about. Now, are you going out tomorrow? Yes. I'm going to the dress maker. Fine. I won't panic. She is very pleased that she is 118 lbs & in a petite size 6. I've been encouraging her to shoot for 130, so that if she gets sick again, she has a cushion. "But I have all these new clothes I haven't worn yet in a six". "Well, that's a good reason to stay thin. We'll put 'She Died a Six Petite' on your gravestone'. Frankly, Mom, you'd be dead if you had been this weight when you first got sick". I talked to my stepmom later. She told me that mom is talking about gaining some extra weight so that she has a 'cushion' if she gets sick again. She's also talking to Greenestep about prophylactic brain radiation. I'm glad she's talking to someone about it. I think she's trying to get independent of me. She knows she can't completely yet, but she is being a rebellious teenager. Huh. Gain some weight as a cushion. Why didn't I think of that? Then, Greenestep told me that she & Mom have our whole itinerary laid out for when we come to visit. Dad will pick us up at the airport in the minivan. We'll spend the morning with mom & all go over to their house because Dad wants to BBQ. TS will help him cook & make side dishes. Sunday afternoon, we will take Mom out for lunch while Dad & Greenstep babysit. It's pretty funny. They are so excited that we are coming in. I mean, that the babies are coming in. The rest of us are pretty much chopped liver. Good to know that the grandparent gene is stronger than cancer can ever be. I brought all the herbs in last night. One of my prized posessions is a handmade herb pot that Mom gave me for my birthday this year. She saw one at a Craft Show last Christmas and tracked this young farm girl down at her farm. She makes them & sells them to people who happen to see them or at the occassional local craft show. It was the last carefree, enjoy the day, adventure she had before she got sick. I put oregano in it & cherish it. When I came downstairs this morning, it was shattered on the kitchen floor. The Monster had gotten to it. I just burst into tears and sobbed like a baby. I eventually calmed down, showered, dressed and came to work. About an hour ago, I realized that the reason my comfy black trousers feel a little snug is because I am wearing a pair of black jeans that are a little too small. Great. Obla-di, obla da..... | ||
| maple Citizen Username: Maple Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2003 |
Debby....I speak from a similiar experience when I tell you to appreciate the good days and try not to let the backslides crush you. It is so difficult to watch a loved one go through an illness and not be able to make it better. Just be sure to make some time for yourself, as impossible as it may seem. It's easy to let your mental and physical health slide when you are going through something like this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and all of the others going through difficult times. | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 2063 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Maple. But it is really my Mom who needs to hear those words. I am in living 1000 miles away, and just doing what I can to support from here - dealing with LTC insurance, running to Target for stretchy socks and pajamas and magazines, and shipping them up, talking to Mom every day. But basically my life is pretty close to normal now. My Mom, on the other hand, is at the home from 9 to 6:30 everyday without a break. She jokes that it's been kitty Ramadan since July 4th (Oreo the cat bites her on the ankle every night when she gets home). She really needs a break. When I'm up for Thanksgiving I'll spell her. greene - I'm really, really sorry about the herb pot. Joan - thanks for the wishes (belatedly). | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5654 Registered: 5-2001 |
Debby - I can imagine that you probably feel pretty guilty. It's easy for me to say "you shouldn't" but you shouldn't. I know I feel guilty sometimes when I can't be there. A few months ago, I was actually thinking about what it would be like if my parents were still together. Better for my mom, certainly, but hell for my dad. And then, here I sit, able to get away. Ugh. It's just a no-win situation. I asked mom if she wanted to take a ride out to the "pot lady's" farm when we visit next week. She said she'd have to try and find her card. If it happens, it happens. I've calmed down. I will unwrap the shards this weekend & see if there is a part intact that I can save and display somewhere. There is an oak leaf applique on the front. Maybe that's in one piece. It was just so strange. I have never, ever gotten than upset over a material thing. I had called GMF on Wednesday to tell her that we were coming in, along with Baby Bro and his family. I usually don't tell her until the day before we arrive, because she drives me nuts. Calls everyday wanting to know how much time I'm going to spend with her. And it's not a lonely elderly thing. Sure, it's gotten worse as she's aged, but she's been doing this for 30 years. So, during that call, she starts asking about the babies, specifically my niece. Supposedly, according to some experts, they are a bit "behind". At 2 & change, they should be more verbal, etc. So, my niece, who doesn't talk, is in therapy. My nephew chats a bit more. Of course, they have a Spanish-speaking nanny, so they understand English and Spanish equally well, and I've read that bilingual kids talk later, but more fluently. Actually, they are tri-lingual, because they speak fluent Twin. Oh, and no one reads to them. I share this to set the stage for what comes next. GMF: Can I ask you something? Strictly between you and me? GT: Sure. Although when you open like that, it is bound to be shared with millions of web readers..... GMF: The girl. Is she alright? I mean mentally. Is she slow? GT: She's fine. She is not developmentally delayed at all. GMF: But your brother says she is in therapy. Why? GT: I don't know. We don't talk about it. She's fine. GMF: Good. That's a relief. As long as there is nothing wrong with her. GT loses her temper: And what if there were? Why is that 'good'? She'd still be your great-granddaughter and a wonderful child and we'd love her the same as we do now. I was livid. GMF: Oh. Of course. Well, I have to go now. Click. I am telling this to Poptart Guy. He says "well, she's gonna die soon". I tell him that I don't think so, that we've been waiting for years but that she's gonna out live us all. He tells me that when mom got her last good report, he said to GMF, "it looks like mom will outlive you, after all". I cracked up, because I said the same thing to her. We are not evil, BTW. You may recall from early on that GMF's big issue was outliving her child. So, last night, I am just walking in the door & the phone rings. Caller ID shows a 973 area code, so I answer. It's GMF. Sometimes I hate my mother - she keeps buying GMF those stupid calling cards for gifts so Caller ID becomes irrelevant. A different number shows up each time. I've asked mom to stop buying them; even told her that I took it as a sign that she doens't love me or she wouldn't torture me. Anyway, first thing out of GMF's mouth: are you busy? I have a question. If this is a bad time, I can call you later. Of course it is a bad time (like there's ever a good time for her) but I've learned it's always better to get it over with, because she has a knack for calling back at a worse time. Well, I have to feed the cats & change my clothes, but shoot. It's about the twins. I immediately clench my teeth, ready to unload if she even goes there again... But she doesn't. I don't know what to buy them. Don't buy them anything. Why do you need to buy them anything? Your mother will be angry if I don't. Think: ••••••••. Say: That's ridiculous. Kick off shoes, cradle phone against shoulder, get good crystal low ball glass down, scoop ice from ice machine. Go to pantry, get Grey Goose, pour stiff one, throw in lemon juice because we have no lemons or limes. Stir. Sip. Big sip. All during a conversation debating the good of presents, why it won't make the twins remember her. Silliness, etc. Finally agree that she can buy them a box of animal cookies. Then, we come to the real purpose of the call: when will I see you? Will I get to see the babies? We are going out for lunch and your father is babysitting. How will I see them? What time are we having lunch? Will I see you Saturday? Sip, sip, sip, sip. I don't know yet. Of course you will see the babies. We haven't worked it out yet. We can bring them over before we go to lunch and drop them at dad's. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. The kicker is that she'll spend 3 minutes watching them, then start engaging my s-i-l in conversation. About herself and her glory "WASP" days. So, before you go thinking that I am cruel, realize that it ain't like she's really interesting in them. Sip. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2655 Registered: 9-2003 |
Of course she is.. but only on her terms. Sometimes that's better - if she were really interested she would corner s-i-l and want in depth information on "the girl"s therapy and then do a running commentary on her twisted mind's version of what she heard.... you don't want that.. better she should wax "WASPetic". | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 3996 Registered: 2-2003  |
greene, God has a special place for you in heaven... | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 1529 Registered: 5-2005  |
Amen | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1909 Registered: 9-2003 |
Tomorrow morning I take the man to see the oncologist (begins to sound like someone from a Kafka short story) for labs and a visit. It's been a couple of weeks since last he saw him, in the hospital. So, what am I hoping? I'm hoping that the labs look good and the doc says let's go get an endoscopy and a PET scan before resumption of chemo. Aside from a cold, Curt's been eating, and coming along and walking and e-mailing and being way closer to normal. Even put on a few pounds. Please oh please let it be some tests, with a good outcome. We know there's more chemo to come, but I'm praying for the more maintenance kind. I cleaned most of the basement and worked physically hard to keep the demons at bay this weekend. And cooked a pot roast...Need some continued good news..... | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5674 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cyn- Awhile back, I was talking to the family friend/doctor about mom, chances of remission, etc. One of the things he said to me was that you could always "tell" in oncology patients. Maybe this was just his theory or maybe after 35 years of practice it's something he feels is true. Either way, he said that he could tell and the patient could always tell when things were shrinking. Whether the cancer was making them ill or not, their bodies feel "different". So, what the heck. If he's feeling good, gaining weight & getting back to normal, no reason to think that you are going to get anything other than good news. This is the scary part, tho. I feel ya. You are almost afraid to know, just in case you get results that you don't want. Mom goes for all her full body scans next Monday. She's scared to death. It's literally do or die time. We spent the weekend in CT visiting the M-I-L. My poor sis-in-law is taking a helluva beating. M-I-L has double knee replacement & lives with S-I-L. Who is, of course, as the primary care giver and easiest target, being treated like ca-ca by the woman who feels like ca-ca. I didn't meant to, but I ended up telling both TS and her other sis that they owe their sister a lot for carrying this burden. TS is also out of paid days off for this year, but I suggested that she maybe take a couple days here and there unpaid to go relieve her sister. Other sis's hubby just had hip replacement surgery, so she can't help much. But, either way, when M-I-L is all recovered, I think that the sibs should do something special for Big Sis. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1911 Registered: 9-2003 |
Oh, yeah. Definitely something special. I did a mess o' that when I was single (somehow, everyone always hits up the single or child-free relative). She'll need something nice in a big way. Went to the doc today, and it went well. A B12 shot, a shot for anemia. Scheduling the PET and CAT scans, and following that determination of what next. This is all about whether the cancer is till there, or not and so on and what course of chemo resumption is appropriate. Doc very happy, Curt relatively perky. 116 lb. Here in the Maplewood Chapter of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Anorexia Clinic, the goal weight we've set him is 125 by Thanksgiving, 135 by New Year's. Right now he's 116, so I dropped him home where he will commence stuffing his face. I, on the other hand, am chubby. Our kid thinks I should siphon some of mine off and give it to him. Would that I could. Anyway, I'm sorta cheerful for a dreary day.... | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5691 Registered: 5-2001 |
That's so great. We should send Mom & Curt to Anti-Fat Camp together. I mentioned shooting for 130 lbs again & she wailed "but that's a size 10". When you find that fat-siphon thing, let me know. Maybe we can get a discount if we go together. I'm wrestling with applying for a couple new jobs in other operating companies. One is right up my alley & very intriguing, but 50% travel. I must be out of my mind. |
