Some not so wonderful news

"It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day ..."

I had a gig yesterday, and it turns out I do know all the words to "Ode to Billy Joe." Today, however, is neither sleepy nor dusty and certainly not Delta-like. It's a crisp fall morning in June, and I'm siting on the front stoop of my childhood home where I'm caring for my cancerous dad. He's had a crap few years, and I'm finding it really hard to keep calm for him.

In good news, people I rarely see in real life (which is everyone, since the last 3 years have been spent taking care of my parents and my babies) have shared their hearts and their cooking. That has been so amazingly helpful. Meal delivery is everything, so my kids are getting vegetables again. Other helpful things have been people picking up extra fruit while they are at the grocery and just dropping it off on our porch. I haven't been to the grocery for anything besides laxatives and Coke (my dad's current diet, apparently) in ... well, I can't remember. It's been takeout, pizza and the random can of corn that lives in the back of everyone's cabinet for emergencies like this.

Lakeside has opened. My dad is unable to go, and that breaks my heart. Last weekend he didn't want to go because he didn't want to talk to people. I understand. The day I went, no fewer than five people asked me how my mom was doing, and that was fun news to break to people I barely knew. Now the pool is less-crowded, but my dad is feeling a lot worse.

Long story short: his tumor is not resectable, and he is in Hospice care. Hosparus of Louisville is absolutely amazing, and the care and attention we've already received is beyond that of any doctor's office I've experienced in this country. No more specifics here (that's what www.webothhavecancer.com is for), but if my blogs get dreary or sparse, that's why. I'm back in caregiver mode, not leaving dad's side and loving him fiercely.


7 comments

  1. You have been through so much. I know we do what we have to, but you are quite remarkable. I'm in the neighborhood if you need a last minute something.
    Sandy Harrison

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  2. Blessings and good vibes to you and your family. Know that you are doing a good thing by sharing with others. Enjoy making memories everyday, better than gold in the bank.....

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  3. All my love. Thinking of you. Please let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do.

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  4. Peace beautiful lady. Prayers of strength your way. Embrace every moment now as they are precious. I’ll see you on my return from my adventures as an old lady moving/decorating/relocating company.
    Truckin' got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin', like the do-dah man
    Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin' on.

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  5. Brigid, tell your dad that I miss seeing him at the Dental School and that I'm praying for him and the rest of the family. Just remember we are family and let me know if there is anything I can do! Love ya'll

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