a long-expected phone call

[valarltd]

My sister called me today. (not jlm121, my other sister)

My stepfather is dying in earnest. Mom expects him to go tonight or tomorrow. They have everything planned and under control.

I'm stuck here, 500 miles away.

Sad, relieved, angry, yep, indescribable is the best.

Fucking Cancer.
Mom got five years with a good man. Not near payment enough for the 20 years spent with lousy ones.

Michelle left a husband and two sons behind when she died at age 37.

thamiris

My own uncomfortable months and treatments in the last four years for breast lumps and squamous cervical cells.

_redpanda_

Mom, for the same squamous cells that led to a hysterectomy.

minitrog



Skip the hugs and sympathy. I'm furious. Do something instead.

Go to reannon's LJ and donate to the Relay for Life.

Make a daily visit to http://www.thebreastcancersite.com

Make a cap for a chemo patient. http://www.chemocaps.com

Donate to St. Jude's Hospital. www.stjude.org

Make a blanket with Project Linus for a kid undergoing something painful.

Comments

[riverheart.livejournal.com]

I often wonder how long I will have with Charles, who is unhealthily fat and under a prescription of diet (my department, mostly) and exercise (his responsibility) from our doctor. He is just starting an exercise program, walking around at lunch when he can pull himself away from ongoing work. I wonder if something will cut short my time with this good, good man; I keep dreading the other shoe dropping. Maybe it has, in the form of my kidney disease.

I've made caps for chemo patients at sewing expos, and expect I will do so again. You can sit for however long you want at their sewing machines and make one, or two, or a dozen or more. There were experienced women churning them out, and newbies taking as long as I did, having never made one before.

My Relay for Life funds, small though they may be, are dedicated to my local Relay for Life. I may try to participate in it and get donations from my LJ readers. They're having it at South Kitsap High School's track, just a little way from us. I'll let you know.

I am really sorry to hear about your stepfather. May you and your family, especially your mother, have the support and the strength needed to get through the next little while.

[riverheart.livejournal.com]

P.S. Breast cancer is what got my Dad. It took him three years to die.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about your step-father. I lost my grandma to cancer and it was awful. :( Cancer has also stolen too many young people. We're off to a charity event for kids tonight.

[samcdermott65.livejournal.com]

Cancer is a bitch and it makes me made too. My sister was diagnosed last year right after her 41st birthday with breast cancer. She's still with us, but she went through surgery and months chemo and radiation. And is she "cured"? No. She's a survivor who's hoping and praying that no other cancer(s) will show up.

I was at the relay for life here in my state last year. I didn't walk, but I did donate $. My daughter was in one of the "shows" to entertain the crowds. She does Acrobatics.

shari