Another Update of Scott

Dear Linda,

You have never bitched.....and even if you feel as if you are, you have a wonderful sounding board here. I find you to be incredibly strong - incredibly.

Your idea of sitting with tho oncologist is a good one. I so much hope that he is willing to take the time with to have a heart-to-heart and to let you know how he thinks Scotts truly is. My thoughtsa nd prayers are with you for this potentially hard conversation.

I am glad, though, that Scott is in the hospital where he can relieve you of his care and where he can feel safe.

I am so sorry that you are juggling so much. Again, good thoughts and prayers are coming your way.

Wishing you the strength of the angels right now.

Love and hugs,
Maura

You both are so strong, though I'm sure Scott isn't feeling that way right now. I'm hoping you can get some answers from the oncologist as well as some suggestions. for how to get through this time. Also it might be worth talking to the doctors at the hospital to see if IV therapy could be given at home. The VNA or Hospice (if they are involved) could care for that while he's home.
You are in my prayers.
Mary

(((((Linda and Scott)))))
Thank you for taking the time to update us. Your strength is amazing; hope your doc can help you understand more of what to expect. You are all in my prayers. Judy

oneagleswings said:

Linda:
You are so strong to be able to come to the board and update everyone on what you and Scott are going through. Acceptance that this monster may be winning the war is stageringly sad- I hope that your oncologist can give you some answers and that there is some way that iv meds and at home care can be provided if that is what you and Scott want...I'm crying with you and pray for you and all your family.
Bev

Hi Linda.

I am so deeply sorry for these hard times you , Scott and your family are going thru.

Such strength, courage and fortitude.

Please know that we are here for you and you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Please let me know if I can do anything.

Love to you and Scott,

Barb

Hello! I visit this page every once in a while. I have primary liver cancer. But I wanted to tell you that I think you are a very strong person. Its a very difficult time for you right now. I know that from visiting this page, that this is a very good place to vent and to get good advice. These people are very caring people. But Please don't forget to go to God in prayer. He will help us thru anything. Thats how I survive everyday. I'll be praying for Scott and you, and your family... In Gods Love Barbara

Linda -

Sorry I didn't reply to you sooner...

First let me just say that you are not "bitching"... you are have a totally normal response to a totally abnormal situation. We do not live in a society where it is the norm for our spouse to be so gravely ill at such a young age. We do not live in a society where we find ourselves typically thrust into the role of Mrs. AND Mr. Mom, homemaker, pool cleaner, gardner, AND caregiver to an ill spouse. Your posting is quite healthy, I believe. You have so much on your plate, you need a place to vent andthat's why we're here. We may not be able to help you with the day to day things, but rest assured we're here to lend you emotional and spiritual support.

I think Bud and the others who have recommendad hospice or visiting nurses or some form of home healthcare are right on the money. Linda, I know you put on your Wonder Woman suit every morning when you get up (we won't discuss her Golden Rope...), but you know, every once in a while even Wonder Woman had to ask Superman to lend a hand (albeit just for the really BIG stuff like re-freezing the polar icecaps, etc.)

It's not a matter of giving up or even resigning yourself to this being the "end" with Scott if you get help at home. It's about keeping your family unit - frazzled as it may be - intact. It's about making Scott comfortable while he is at home. Allowing him to spend time with the people he loves most in this world and spending it in a place that reflects that love and spirit of family. He's sick. He's frightened. He needs that home environment - but he needs to be comfortable when he's there. That's what hospice does. I doubt you will find a "Length of Service" clause in their contract. I know people who have been on hospice care for a long time and some who have eventually sent them home because the patient was doing much better.

Hospice is not just about medical care - there is so much more to it than that. It is care that values quality of life until death (WHENEVER that is) that not only intends physical care but also emotional and spiritual support. It puts the patient at the center and in control of his or her own life and care. After all, that's we all want and need - some measure of control over our own life/destiny.

You come here and **** anytime. Just understand that here we don't refer to it as "bitching", we refer to it as "Expending emotional flatulance" - we CRC folks relate so much better to the butt metaphores!

Looking forward to seeing you BOTH in a few weeks and holding you both in my thoughts and prayers until then.

- SpongeBob

Hi Linda...I can't add any more to what's been said by the others; aren't they a great group of people? Just please remember to take care of yourself and try to get some rest, so you can be there with Scott. If church friends/family/neighbors etc are offering, let them help you out with the stuff like the yard and the pool, and maybe even making some easy to warm up meals for you and the kids. When my wife got sick some of my co-workers started a rotating schedule for meal prep. That was a huge help! And they truly enjoyed helping out. Angels...all of 'em.

And you're not bitchin'...come share with us anytime.

Take care. Jimmy