Birthday from hell!

I meant to do this earlier today but well, the last several days have been a bit more madness than I can handle.

Yesterday was my 36th birthday and I've vowed I'm not having anymore! My husband, being the gem that he is, was the first to wish me a happy birthday; somewhere around midnight. I went to sleep feeling happy and content. That changed at about 11:30 yesterday morning.

My mom had gone with my uncle J to his oncology appointment. We knew he had lung cancer, what we didn't know was how bad. Yes we had speculated based on the type, placement, symptoms but I don't think we were really prepared for the full blow. I know I wasn't.

Uncle J has stage 3b squamous cell carcinoma. Which is directly related to asbestos. The tumor is the size of a grapefruit and has 75% of his left lung blocked. The doctor who did the biopsy told us they couldn't do radiation, which was a big concern. However, his oncologist told him yesterday he intends to treat it with chemo and radiation. There is no operating on it right now, it's much too large.

The good news, if there is any, is that he has an 80% survival rate IF the full body scan reveals it hasn't spread tomorrow. We have to be realistic though as there is an 85% chance it will return should they manage to eliminate it. He does have a polyp on his wind pipe. Monday he goes to yet another doctor to have surgery scheduled to remove it, to help his breathing. Right now he's on oxygen and 2 inhalers.

To top it all off, Uncle J's daughter came in over the weekend but left at 1 a.m Monday morning. This leaves my mom to go with him to his appointments, which she does because that's her brother. However, my mom is in bad shape too. One knee replaced, same knee needs surgery to remove scar tissue, other knee needs replaced, she's got the worst case of osteo in the state...you get the idea. Thankfully, another brother is willing to go to some of these appts. starting next week. But mom will be the one checking on him every day, making sure he eats, etc. My oldest sister has already made him promise when the time comes and he's too sick that he'll come stay with them. I know Uncle J though, he'll fight doing it until he just can't anymore.

This wasn't all that happened yesterday, lets just suffice it to say I wanted a cave to hide in.

It also wasn't all bad. One of my AL Sisters sent me a present, just to try and make me smile. Robyn, you'll never know just how much it means to me that you went out of your way to give me that smile. From the very bottom of my heart, Thank You! I'm still trying to decide what to pick up, seeing as it's been 8 months since I've bought anything. That should be changing soon, as long as everything goes to plan.

Those who are sending energies, lighting candles and praying for my uncle...Thank You. Right now he needs them and every little bit helps.

Love You Guys!!

M