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Sara’s school came up with a new moneymaking opportunity for themselves. Another round of school pics, this time considered “portraits.” She has aged so much in just 9 months, I couldn’t help but buy them and scrap away! Even came with bookmarks and keychains with her face on them! Who could resist!?
Greatly missed. Known for his overflowing cactus gardens. His bedroom drawer bank account. His being the local handyman/delivery service for the local “lady” friends in the neighborhood. His macrame collection. Always the substitute “papa” since mine were both deceased. His adorable little house in Holiday City @ Berkeley. The pacemaker that kept on ticking. Hope you are rocking it in heaven with your brothers!
I have had some complaints on the lack of posts about my mother. I apologize for the missing posts, there is just too much to say.
This woman raised me and my brother alone half of every month until we were teenagers because my father was always at sea. She attended school functions, cooked bake sale cupcakes, and helped make Girl Scout apple pies. She worked part-time so that she was always there for us when we got home from school. She knows exactly what to cook when we are sick. When I was 20 I was seriously injured in an accident during a vacation in Florida, she dropped her life and flew down to stay with me for three months until I was able to return home. She stood by me through a painful divorce and gave me well earned step-parenting advice my second marraige.
My children worship her and respect her advice. They often will go to her instead of me, knowing she will always answer honestly and unbiased.
She has shown her devotion and loyalty to my father for over 40 years. We are talking through good times AND bad. Through sickness AND health. Through retirement…lol.
I only hope that I can be as strong and devoted as she has shown me how to be. Love you mom!
Well anyone who does not know me personally would not know the extent of the effect cancer has had on my life lately.
My uncle/godfather has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This disease was diagnosed after a chest xray looking for pneumonia. He was not a smoker in his life.
My father who has already been mentioned in an earlier post (for prostate cancer) has now shown a growth on the right lower quadrant of his brain. It is of a fair size and is pushing the right grey matter into the left side. This is causing all sorts of symptoms which have severely altered the quality of his life. The PET scan that I requested at the onset of the prostate cancer would have diagnosed this mass months ago, but due to the narrow minded thoughts of the radiation oncologist and urologist, it was never done. It has also since been discovered that on several occasions when a scan should have been done on his brain, it was avoided. So the situation could have been resolved long ago, before it became a big deal. The radiation of the prostate has been postponed until the nature of this lesion is determined. A second MRI must be done (because the first one was not prescribed properly) which is very difficult due to my father being extremely claustrophobic. It is not until after we find out what type of lesion it is before we can discuss treatment.
Due to the past mistakes of trusted physicians, I now must accompany my parents to the doctor appointments to ensure that all bases are being covered. Trust in the physicians in the past may have now shortened my fathers life. We hope that the neurosurgeon we have chosen is our final salvation. Wish us luck.
Given the history my father has gone through (the Great Depression, WWII, hiding from Nazi’s, orphanage, being raised by extended family, going to sea @ 15, malaria, and the list goes on) we hope that the final years of his life can be experiences with peace and happiness. Not pain and suffering. For those who believe in a higher power, please say a prayer.
So its official. My firstborn is now a teenager. The signs were there. Getting taller & thinner. Voice dropping. Wanting privacy. But now its official, and I feel so old.
Anyone who knows my family knows the effect that cancer has had on it. I personally have had it, my mother and now my father, again. This would be his third time. The first time he handled the radiation well. The second time the radiation and chemo nearly took him. Lets just say they changed him for life. But my father is very strong and stubborn and wouldn’t let it get the best of him. The last time they gave him 6 months and it has been 5 years and still kicking.
But this one is in an entirely new area. He is now 76 years old. They say it can be treated with hormone treatments and specialized radation, so we are hopeful. He is, of course, going to Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) for a second opinion and maybe a third with a specialist in our area, who used to run that department at FCCC. I am just very frustrated. I work for a Doctor of Internal Medicine. So I have seen this disease run past my desk before. I know how other doctors have treated it. I know of additional testing that needs to be done to ensure that it has not spread outside of the area (which they said it has not, but he has not had the testing.) I keep trying to push my parents to request this testing but feel I am being shushed.
I know he was just diagnosed yesterday, but if it were me I would be scheduling these tests right away. Sorry if I am seeming morbid. I just would want all of the information up front and then we can deal with it. I just needed to get it off my chest.
Update: Family listened but doctor still will not do testing I think is necessary. And life goes on…
Sorry for the delay in my latest post. It is the end of the summer and things are just going crazy. Thanks for your patience. Also, thanks for the comments so far! I appreciate it. I have been researching this blogging thing and hope to fine tune my blog for more interest!
School opens in just over 2 weeks and I cannot believe the summer is almost over. We were able to see Ian last weekend, he is 6 already!! We had a fantastic time playing on the Wii. Quite a wit, he is!
My mother celebrates her 65th birthday this weekend and we look forward to taking her out to celebrate! She certainly deserves it!
I hope to log on again soon!
The Joy of Naomi
Who would have thought that one could love a child so much. One that isn’t even formally my blood relation. My oldest step-child, Diana, and her husband, Oliver, created this beautiful girl. She is full of life, spunk and a has a lil taste of trouble in her. Her eyes just light up the room. And I adore her. When we visit them, she is the focus of all of my attention, I can’t stay away. I must play, talk and soothe her at all times. I was not expecting all of this grand-motherly feeling at 40! When we visited, I almost had her walking, Papa had her eating solids and I could understand her baby speak. It was a purely delightful visit!
- Princess Naomi
Living Free
This past weekend I attended the memorial service of my father’s first wife. Yes, that sounds wierd, and I guess it is. But I was raised thinking of her as an aunt, and she is the mother of my older brother and sister, so it always felt right. She never treated my brother and I as outcasts, we were always welcome in her house. Our families were always close, which always makes people wonder, but it worked.
Anyway, this woman led a full life. My father’s career took him away from his family for two weeks out of every month for most of his life. This did not stop her. She was active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, her community and social services. After the end of their marraige she began to travel extensively, by herself! She has traveled the world! The picture above is from a parasailing experience she enjoyed while in her 70’s!! She also had the guts to try bungy jumping! Talk about bravery. Attended college in her 80’s!
She always remembered my birthday and also the birthdays of my children. Never forgot a birthday of everyone she had ever known. She corresponded with my young daughter. We were lucky to have her in our lives. She will be missed by many as she was dear to many people.
Yesterday we visit the Orthodontist for the final consultation about my son’s teeth. He turns 13 this weekend, so apparantly there is now a rush to get him braced. Yes, his teeth are a mess, my teeth and my ex-husbands were as well, so this was expected. But, you need a small car loan to pay these things off!! I am barely ready to accept him turning into a teenager, and I have to accept braces at the same time? How much more can I handle in one week? Fortunately my ex-husband and my current husband have dental insurance which takes some of the edge off the price, but it is still a lot of money in today’s financial market. I am going to ask around about the price and probably get a second opinion. For a doctor that is closer (the current one is 1 hour away, closer to the ex.) Wish us luck!
