Thursday, December 19, 2013

too much

Okay----its been while since I posted.   Sometimes I wonder why I post..I'm not sure anyone but me reads this.  However,  it seems to help me put things in writing.

Since I last posted, things have gone horribly  wrong.   October was fine; the first part of November was okay; then I see that Schuster, my big, black, adorable  poodle, who is 12, started to  show signs of going downhill.  He was in no pain so I could see no need to see the vet.   On Nov. 22 I got the phone call every mother dreads.  Al's youngest son, Ric, who is batting cancer, has taken a turn for the worse and is in the hospital again.  I throw a few things in a suitcase, call my good friend Barb who  drives across town to pick up the dogs; call Gary & Jeannette who agree to take care of cats and take me to the airport.  I fly to Seattle the next day.  Yes, Ric is really struggling to breathe; but the  doctors think they can help him.  So that  Jenn and I don't completely tire him out, we opt to not go to the hospital  on Sun and Mon.

Monday night I get a call from Barb.  Schuster has died.  My world starts to implode on me once again.  I know, I know,  he is just a dog  to some, but to me,  he and Beau  are my constant companions, being with me all the  time.  RIP my beautiful boy.

The next  morning I  go to the hospital to be with Janet while Ric under goes a procedure to have drains put in his lungs  to help the lungs drain fluid.  While they are rolling him to the operating room he goes into cardiac arrest.  The doctors revive him; but the news is not good.   He will not recover.   A different oncologist is called in for  second opinion, which it is confirmed Ric will not survive.  He is on a ventilator; basically that is what is keeping  him alive.  Brothers  are  called to come home; all friends and family gather.  All of us are in shock.  From Tuesday to Saturday we all live at the hospital.  Saturday, Nov 30, 11:50 a.m. Ric is gone.   A feeling of total disbelief has taken over all of us.  How can someone, so vital, full of life and had so much  to give, be dead?    I HATE CANCER!!!
I have often thought how horrible it would be to lose a child. --  now, unfortunately, I know.   I miss him so much.

 Ron,  Melanie's husband is having surgery on his brain to removed an  arteriouvenous malformation (a tangle os excessive veins & arteries in the brain, aka AVM) , so I head to Portland to be with them.  I decide there is no reason to go back to Tucson immediately.   My family is needing me here.  Thank God, Ron comes through his surgery with  flying colors.   In fact, he is doing so well,  he is released from the hospital 2 days early!  FINALLY,  good news.  I stayed with them for 10 wonderful days, spending time enjoying being with them.  I did, however, manage to fall down the outside steps at Melanie's and sprain my ankle.  Yes, I am still hobbling around.  Then back to Seattle last weekend to pester Jenn for 2 more weeks.

I did visit with Joyce, Al's sister & Michelle (niece) today.  They both look great and seem to be doing well.

I plan to fly back home on Dec. 30th.  I miss home.  I love to visit, travel, etc., but there is no place like home.  AND, I am freezing up here!   Need my heat.

I hope this finds everyone doing well, healthy & happy.  My wish for you all is a very. Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2014!

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