CherylNJ

I cook christmas dinner for my DH's entire family (40 people) every year and usually enjoy every minute of it. I just don't have the energy to do it this year. I'm catering it. It's actually not costing much more than the grocery bill usually costs. I'm still baking though (my kids won't let me get away with not baking!). I do feel a bit guilty....but I'm sure I'll get over it!

Amen to that!

Thanks for the link! I love my crockpot and I've been looking for some new recipes.

I do all of my holiday shopping online. I avoid the mall at all costs! I'm an amazon junkie year round. The UPS man and I are on a first name basis!

No early voting here either. My boss is letting us out 2 hours early so we can vote (I thought that was pretty nice of him!). My daughter Leigh is voting for the first time (she's 19). She's so excited. I can remember voting in a presidential election for the first time. It is exciting!

All I want is one piece of good news and all the news we get is bad. Dad went back into the hospital yesterday morning (after being home for only 9 days) dehydrated, low blood counts, seriously disoriented and when they checked his blood, his cardiac enzymes were elevated. Well, it turns out that he's had a heart attack within the last week. They've given him 3 units of blood within the past 24 hours. And to top it off he has a pressure sore on his heel and is on IV antibiotics. Mom is having a conversation with the oncologist tomorrow to see if continuing chemo is even an option. If it's not she has agreed that she will call in hospice. I'm just so sad. I want to crawl into bed and not get out, but I know that right now it's not an option. My parents and my family need me. My husband has been so completely supportive although I know this is bringing back some terrible memories for him (he lost his dad 10 years ago after a long, drawn out illness). I just want my dad back the way he was. Thanks for letting me vent. Cheryl

I'm so so sorry. Hopefully you can find comfort with the fact that he's at peace and no longer in pain.

Only if it has cheese sauce on it! The person below me loves brussel sprouts!

I needed a chuckle tonight! Too cute.

Hi T. I'm also pretty new at this, but the most important thing I've learned on this journey so far is to take things "one day at a time". If you don't, you will quickly lose your mind. I'm also an only child. It's very hard. This site is a godsend. So much hope and inspiration. Cheryl

Thank you everyone for your kind and thoughful replies. Today was a much better day. The decadron is doing it's job. Dad was sitting up in bed, watching tv when we got to the hospital. We are all meeting with the oncologist tomorrow morning to discuss starting chemo on monday. His bowel and bladder control has returned. All in all it's been a really good day! This truly is one crazy roller coaster ride! Cheryl

Beautiful pictures. It looks like you had a wonderful trip!

My dad was diagnosed one month ago today. In one month's time, things have gone from bad, to good, to worse. This is a roller coaster ride that I was in no way prepared for. I am an only child. I am the main bread winner in my household. I have a wonderful husband and two wonderful daughters ( ages 8 and 19). They have all been so supportive through this whole ordeal. I fear for how this is going to affect my girls. They are both incredibly close to my dad. After my divorce from my first husband, my oldest daughter and I lived with my parents for 3 years. Up until he got sick, they had a weekly lunch date that they never missed. My dad babysat my youngest from the time she was six weeks old up until she went to preschool and up until he got sick got her off the school bus and hung out with her until I got home from work ( my husband works the 1-9 shift). No child should ever have to deal with such loss. Raychel (my youngest) knows that he is sick, but does not know the extent of it. I had a conversation with the guidance counselor at her school so that they are aware of what's going on. Leigh knows the whole deal and is not dealing well. I am looking for a counseler for her to talk to because she won't open up to me. My mom finally admitted to me the other day that there is no way that she will able to care for dad alone when he comes home (I knew this, but needed her to make the descision). I am fully prepared to take on the major caregiver duties. I've been an EMT for over 20 years so medical stuff doesn't scare me. I am hoping that my job will let me work from home. I cannot afford to be without a paycheck. Dad is right now in the hospital on the oncology floor. There is so much death there. As of last night he has lost all bladder and bowel function. The tumor on his spine has almost eaten away all of his L4 vertebra and is pressing on all kinds of nerves. His pain is pretty well controlled. I just need to get through to him that he needs to ask for a pain pill when the pain starts, not when it becomes unbearable (he's a stubborn mule!) I'm having such a hard time being optimistic. I manage to hold it together for mom and dad and when I get home I melt down. I'm crying as I type this. Thanks for letting me vent. Even though I don't post much, this website has been a godsend. Cheryl

Welcome Jeanne! I'm pretty new at all of this too. Just remember to take it one day at a time.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I truly appreciate it!