I want off now...

I would like to get off this ride now. Please.

So, how have all four of my readers been lately? I speak to a couple of you somewhat regular, but would like to know about my other two. :) You see, I'm very good at avoiding what all is going on in my life right now. I sat down to type my life out and I wind up asking about yours. I know everyone has something in their life that's going on. I also know that I'd rather deal with your life than mine right now.

Here goes:

Since July 30th:

1. My dad has Stage IV Colon Cancer with mets to the abdominal wall and lungs. He's also got a 3.9cm abdominal aortic aneurysm and he's late stage COPD. Surgery is not an option. He had a port implanted and one round of chemo. The port became infected (MRSA) and was removed. He's now too weak to have another port implanted and he's too weak to attempt the chemo. That chemo schedule is 48 hours long every two weeks - for the rest of his life. The original time frame given for that life without chemo was 3-6 months. That was almost 2 months ago. He's been in the hospital since July 25th when he went in for heart testing, blood transfusion and scope. Tick, tock, tick, tock...

2. I was bitten by a Brown Recluse. On July 30th, they think. I still cannot wear a shoe that touches that spot. I was in the ER three times in under 3 weeks. I spent four weeks on heavy duty antibiotics. I had it cut out once. I was miserable and angry that a small arachnid took me out of commission for so long. As a lovely side gift, I also developed cellulitis. The venom traveled through the lymph system of my right foot, ankle, leg and groin. I was not in a happy place. I am better now though and want to say a huge thank you to my nurse friend who tolerated my paranoia and frustration via emailed photos, rants about having to have my foot above my head and my general grumpiness. Thanks Lo!

3. We've started homeshooling. The kids have had strep off and on, poison oak, general illnesses and the normal back-to-school blahs. It's grand. I regularly look up the phone number for our school system and think back to my morning cup of coffee in a quiet house.

4. My thumb is hurting a bit more, and the growth on my other hand at my middle finger has enlarged a bit. I choose to believe that it's due to my restraining from flipping people off. I know that there's nothing to be done about either joint unless I want another surgery. I think I'll pass on that for now, thank you very much.

5. We thought Speedy would be moving to another city 3 hours away. We checked into apartments, logistics and were fully prepared to split our time between two cities. His current employer chose to beat the other offer, so we're staying here full time. I'm still trying to decide if I'm happy about staying here. I'll get back to you on that one.

6. My first child, a Great Dane-Lab mix, is seriously ill. They thought she had an abdominal cancer. She's got colitis. She is almost 14 years old. Yes, I'm well aware that she is really old for the type of dog she is. Yes, she is deaf and half blind. Yes, I cried like a baby when the vet told me about the cancer. Yes, I cried in relief to find out it was not. She's not out of the woods yet, but at least I didn't have to make the decision to put her down just yet.

7. I seem to have lost my shit storm umbrella. If you would, please, look around for it. I will travel to have it back. Also, I realize it only lasts for about a year or so when I do have it, but I've realized that things quickly embark in a hand-basket when I don't have it.

So, that's all I can think of for right now. I have to get back to my hair-pulling, lip-blubbering corner now. If I've missed something, feel free to leave it in the comments. I'm hoping to one day look back on this post and realize how good that day is. To see where I was, where I've been and where I've come to.

Thanks & Take care - Me.

Edited to add at 11:41am on 9/27/11: We just got word that Daddy also has focal pneumonia. Crap. That is all, carry on.