The Latest Family Drama

The above picture was taken at my oldest brother's wedding over Memorial Day weekend. I thought this would be a good "before" picture of me. I am on the far right next to my 79 yr. old Mom. Alan, my husband, is standing behind me. That tall skinny guy in the middle is my brother who stole all the skinny genes in our family. His wife is in front of him. Next to my skinny brother in the back row is my oldest brother who married the lady wearing the white dress in front. The older man on the end is my 83 yr. old step-father.

I haven't updated lately since I have been very upset about my father being ill. He has been in the hospital for almost a week now and has had many tests and scans done. He basically has CANCER everywhere in his body except his liver, spleen, gall bladder, and pancreas. All the reports state that the cancer is "metastic" but the Dr. still doesn't know where the Cancer started from. My Dad took the news much better than I did. I have had several meltdowns the past few days. I go from crying to being angry to feeling helpless. The Oncologist is going to do a needle biopsy on the largest tumor on one kidney. After he is through making his diagnosis he will give my Dad what options he has.

My so called "Christian brother and sister-in-law" have really pissed me off with the way they are acting about all this. My SIL is telling everyone that my brother had to take care of my Dad for a month when it was only 2 weeks and she is just "so happy to have her husband back home". It would have been just too much trouble for her to go over there and stay with my brother and help out I suppose. It might have interfered with one of her nightly church group meetings. I know I am going to unload on her one of these days and it ain't gonna be pretty.

Alan and I are going to drive up there next week and spend a few days. Alan doesn't deal with hospitals well and he doesn't want to get involved in a family fight so he can just stay at the hotel on the beach and enjoy the cool weather. I told him I NEEDED him to go with me. He doesn't have to go to the hospital with me and sit with my Dad but I want him there for my emotional support. I don't think that is asking too much. My daughter is going this week to visit. She is still pretty sore from her breast reduction surgery but is so very happy to have the worst part over with. She is visiting my Mom until the end of the month when she will come here to be with me for my surgery. Only 26 more days! I can't wait for it July 28th to arrive. I just wish my surgery was early in the morning instead of 2PM.

It has been hotter than hell here and I would give anything to have a swimming pool right now. I have been promised a pool when we move to Oklahoma in 2-3 years. I still haven't been able to wrap my mind around leaving California after 45 years. The change may be good for me by then.