Friday, October 12, 2007

October Is a Rotten Month

UPDATE:  I got some good news from my brother.  My sister-in-law's condition is NOT deteriorating and her doctor thinks that there is a good chance that she may be able to come home after all.  I really, really hope that she can come home, because she will feel so much better if all her family can be near to her.  Her two sisters and two sons will be flying out to Vancouver as soon as possible to be with her and this will help her, too.

I took a picture of some fall foliage at my house, so this post wouldn't be completely depressing, but I can't get my camera to talk to my computer, so no picture.

Things are really sad around my house right now.  October 9th was the twelfth anniversary of my father's death.  On October 10th, my brother called to say that my sister-in-law is in a hospital in Vancouver with the biggest blood clot in her lungs that the doctors there have ever seen.  She may not survive long enough to come home to Albuquerque.  The day my mother and I got back from vacation in August, my brother told us that my sister-in-law had been diagnosed with terminal panceatic cancer.  It had already spread to her liver and lymph nodes and there was nothing to be done that would be of any help to her.  My brother and sister-in-law planned a short vacation as a last time to have some fun together.  They were to fly to Vancouver and board a cruise ship and sail down the coast for four days, ending in San Diego.  They got to Vancouver and my sister-in-law became ill.  The doctors are trying to dissolve the blood clot, but now there are signs that her liver is failing.  I feel so bad for them.

I feel even worse for their older son, my nephew.  Today is his birthday.  He got married last spring and his mother-in-law died of lung cancer just a couple of weeks ago.  Now his mother is dying.  He was very close to my father.  Now his birthday will be forever bracketed by his grandfather's death and his mother's.  Of course, we don't know how long she has left, but it is going to be very bad for him.

I haven't been able to write any limericks since we got the news.  I will keep trying, because it takes my mind off my sorrow, but it's just not working right now.  Maybe tomorrow.  Sorry to dump all this on you, but it helps me a bit to talk about it.

43 comments:

Gretchen said...

Oh, Karen Jo, if it helps, please know that my eyes are leaking for you. My mom bean feels really sad, too. We will send purr prayers for you and your families comfort.

Mom bean here: You're not dumping, your letting others know your distress. If we didn't know, we couldn't be supportive.

You're a very sweet lady and good freind.

Warm fuzzy snuggles...G

Hugs...D (I don't think you want to snuggle with me so I'm just sending hugs)

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Oh Karen Jo, I'm so sorry that your family is going through such a rough time right now. *hugs* I will keep your entire family in my prayers. You are not dumping this on us, you are sharing with us so that we can offer you our support. You are a valued member of the Cat Blogosphere community, and if we can help in any way, please let us know.

Parker said...

Oh Karen Jo - All of here in O Hi O feel so bad that you have had such awful things happen in your life! It isn't dumping to let us know what you are going through. We send positive thoughts your way.
Smooches to you!

The Devil Dog said...

Dear Karen Jo, I am so sorry to hear about all the sadness surrounding you. Sometimes the best thing to do is just tell people so it is not bottled up all inside you, ready to explode like a volcano. You sit down and cry if you want or share with us if you want, but we will listen and try to have shoulders big enough to help you.

Roxy's mom, Roxy and Lucky

PS life has been really hard around here for the stuff I haven't even blogged about, notwithstanding the steroids, the jumpies, the sleeping etc etc
so I understand how you feel.

The Devil Dog said...

You want to borrow Lucky to cuddle?

Roxy

Anonymous said...

Our prayers are with you and your family Karen Jo.

LZ said...

Oh Karen Jo, what a horribly sad time for your family. We will purr for all of them and you too. Even Latte will purr for them!

Kaze

Donny and Marie and Casey said...

Oh oh oh!! We are so sad! This is such a difficult time for you and your family!

We are all purring very hard over here for you and esp for your brother and sister-in-law and all his family. Mommy is purraying for you all too.

We are glad that you can share with us on the bloggysphere, we hope you can feel better...and we can help you feel better.

PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZ,

Donny, Marie, Casey and their mommy

Anonymous said...

Karen Jo--what a horrible time you are having.

We hope that miracles happen for you.

Purrs.

Anonymous said...

Oh Karen Jo, my heart goes out to you and your family. I am glad you told us what you are going through so we can comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts, my heart, and my purrs. You are such a special lady. I am teleporting over to snuggle in your lap.

Much love and snuggles and purrrrrrrs and whisker-tickles from Marilyn.

MaoMao said...

Karen Jo, I'm so sorry to hear what you and yur fambly's goin' through. Alla us Ballicai are sendin' you love, and we're purrin' and purrin' for you and yours -- we are all comin' ofur to cuddle you, too -- we'll make a Ballicus Blanket to cofur you and then we'll purr and purr and cuddle and purr.

Lots of love and kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao.

Boy said...

Oh dear! I'm sending wots and wots and wots and wots and wots of purrs over for you, and your famiwy.
I shall purr extwa time tonight!

Beau said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Please know that you are loved and cared about, and we are all here for you. We will be purrring and praying for you and your family. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Smeagol and Strider, Mystery (Sunnin' at the Bridge) and Gizmo too! said...

We're sendin' purrs and purrayers for you and your family.

Team Tabby said...

Good friends share their troubles, so we are glad that you consider us your good friends, Karen Jo, enough to tell us what is happening in your life. We are sending, purrs, prayers, and comforting thoughts your way and to all of your family.

Moe & Mindy

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Hang in there! Meowm and I are so sorry about all this! We are purraying and I am sending you gentle headbutts.

Myst and Blackie said...

Karen Jo - dump away... we have experienced pancreatic cancer with our Grandmother so we understand what you are going through with it. Mom said if you need someone to talk to her - just let her know.

Purrs... Mia & Ghost

Woofs... BG

Big Piney Woods Cats said...

All of us here in The Big Piney Woods are purring hard for you and your family. Your limericks are always such a great addition to the cat blogosphere. Take some time off, if you need it. Know we are are thinkning of you.

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Hi Karen Jo,
So sorry to hear all the bad news. You're not dumping, you are sharing. Believe me, it helps. A lot.
My best friend is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer. My heart goes out to you and your brother and family. You are all in our prayers.
So dump away, take a break, call me, just whatever feels right.
ML (Mary Lynn)

Fat Eric said...

My mum wants to thank you for the good thoughts after her Very Bad Day on Wednesday. She has recovered slightly now and her colleagues bought her some chocolates to show their support. The repercussions of The Incident are still going on and one of her class has been expelled from the school and that is a Good Thing.

We are sorry to hear about the trouble in your family and I am sending lots of floofy purrs, which in my case are very very loud.

Daisy said...

I am very sorry that you are having a difficult time lately and some sad things happened. My strongest purrs to you and your family.

Tiger Lily said...

Oh no! We're so sorry to hear about all your troubles. It's good that your sister-in-law is doing better and may be able to come home soon.

Please don't be sorry about letting us know what's going on in your life. We're here to help each other as well as to have fun. You're our friend and we hope you'll let us be your friends.

Love,

Jemima, Zeke, Sushi, Tiger Lily and Ruckus
Rebecca and Chas

Mickey's Musings said...

We send our prayers to you and all of your family.I am glad you feel the Cat blogosphere is a place you can talk about things.I feel that way too.There are so many fine beans and cats here and they can be a great source of comfort .
I hope the news continues to be better.
Purrs!
Pee Ess: I had fun with Miss Peach. Her garden is very nice and she is nicer!

Hot(M)BC said...

Oh Karen Jo we's so sad yoo's got so much sad stuff in Oktober. We'll send lotsa purrs for yoo and yore whole fambly.
Purrrrrrrrrs!
Sanjee, Boni Maroni, Mini, Gree and Pepi

Jake and Bathsheba said...

We're so sorry about all your sad news. We send you our very best purrs.

Love,
~J&B

Meowers from Missouri said...

oh, woe! we is furry sorry to hear alla bad news, karen jo!! we is sending constant purrs to soothe you all an' many purrrayers to uplift you all--we hopes that all resolves well an' quickly. sweet nosekisses to you!!

purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
(low rumblegrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)
(low rumblegrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)
nels, ed, nitro, xing, xena, & cocoa

Mosaic Cats said...

OH Karen Jo,
You give so much so frequently to so many...
We are so very sorry for your deep pain and sorrow right now.
Gosh, it must be so wrenching for all of you.
There are no words to make it all better, of course, but hopefully you will feel the love and tender care of the cat blogoshpere embracing you through these dark hours and at the very least, you will not feel alone.
We will hold you in our hearts.

sammawow said...

Oh, we are so sorry to hear what a rough time your family is having now. We're sending lots of purrs and prayers over to all of you.

Purrrrrrrs, China Cat & Willow

Lux said...

Oh, Karen Jo ... I would like to lick your face (and I don't often do that).

Heavens to Betsy, don't worry about writing limericks. Just take care of yourself - we are sending you and your family members all sorts of love and caring.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

We're so sorry to hear about all the stuff you are going thru. We'll be purring and purraying for yoo and yoor fambly. We hope you feel the love that surrounds you and that it helps.

Anonymous said...

nose bumps from the bunnies here and licks from the dogs and a hug from the human. thanks for sharing your struggles so we can pray and support you!

Just Ducky said...

Purrs to your family. It is not fun to get sick while you are away from your home and regular doctor.

Purr, purr, purr, purr, purr, purr.

The Cat Realm said...

I am so sorry to hear these bad news! You are NEVER dumping on us, just write and tell, it does help. And you know we are all here for you, so please keep us updated and be assured, our thoughts are with you!
Karl and the staff

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh Karen Jo, our hearts are hurting right now for you. We are so sorry that this is happening. We will say special prayers that your sister-in-law can come home. And we will say special prayers for your nephew too.
we are all here for you. please keep us updated.

purrrrrrrssssssss from Sammy and Miles
{{{{HUGS}}}} from me - Meezer Mom Mary

Around Your Wrist said...

sweet karen jo! you do so much to lift us all. let us do the same for you.

we're purring for you, and hope that you can feel the support around you.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for you that you only have very bad news for us. Must be very depressing for you all these bad events together !
I can understand that your mind is not really there for doing your sweet limericks, but you will see it will come back !

Sunny's Mommy said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your SIL's diagnosis. It's good though that her blood clot is resolving. I hope your B and SIL are able to continue on with their trip.

The Furry Kids said...

Oh, KJ! We're so sorry about all the stuff that's going on. You are not dumping on us. We are all here for each other. We're are sending lot of pawsitive thoughts and purrayers your way.

Jack, Persephone, Tenzing and Lancelot said...

Oh, we're so sorry to hear about this. We're purring that she'll be able to make it home. We hope she's not in too much pain.

Jack, Persephone and the OTW

Mr. Hendrix said...

Dear Karen Jo, our hearts are hurting to hear all you and your family are going through. We'll be purring and praying for you and your family and keeping you in our thoughts.
Take care dear Karen Jo and know your friends will be here when you need us.

Samantha & Mom said...

Purrrs to you Karen Jo! We are glad you have some good news about your sister-in-law and so sorry it has been a not so good month. We are here to listen if you need an ear. Meow.
((((((((BIG HUGS FROM US)))))))),
Your FL furiends,
and Chandra

The Furry Fighter said...

hi karen-jo
ise sorry to hear you and your family are having a tough time, i hope things improve and your Sis In Law keep on getting better and better....be strong, you are such alovely person and we are all praying for you xxx

The Lee County Clowder said...

Sending comforting purrrssss to your B and SIL, and a big ((huggg}} for you.

Unload as much and as long as you want, KJ. You're among friends.