I'm hoping it stops at three

11 years ago

Not to bring a downer to the forum or the holiday week, but I have three people in my life that are seriously ill, and I'd appreciate it if the forum would pool your forces of thoughts and prayers for them.

My husband's cousin, Debbie, had surgery over a week ago to remove part of her colon. There were complications, she couldn't keep food down, and now they are taking her gall bladder out. They just can't seem to figure out what's wrong with her. She's still in the hospital.

Another of my husband's cousin's wife is in very serious condition after a double mastectomy. She developed an infection, one of those super bacteria, and the antibiotics they used have damaged her kidneys, which have shut down. Now she's having to go on dialysis. She's been in the hospital for several days, now, with no end in site. Her name is Michelle. They have two small daughters.

Finally, a friend and coworker of mine has just been diagnosed with cancer that's in her lungs and brain. She's in the hospital undergoing tests. As of yesterday, she didn't know what kind of cancer, yet, but logic says it's lung cancer. She's a longtime smoker, and has worked in a smoke filled environment for most of her adult life. (A different job than where I work, and she does part time.) Her name is Candy.

As you give thanks, please remember that there are people out there hurting, not just my friends and family, but all over.

Thanks,

Sally

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Comments (33)

doucanoe
11 years ago
Oh Sally. I am so sorry for all this bad news, and especially that these folks have to deal with this during what should be a joyous time.

All three of them will be in my thoughts.

Stay strong.

Linda
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
Yes, I will think of them. (((hugs to everyone of them, you, and their families)))

I too have one of those. He has been diagnosed with cancer. We don't know where as he couldn't complete the tests this week. He's trying again next week.
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sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the kind words and thoughtfulness.

Rob, my heart goes out to your friend. Waiting for tests and test results has to be the longest, slowest wait.

Sally
mitchdesj
11 years ago
best wishes to all of them for a decent recovery, this is quite the week to have to deal with all this. Keep us posted on progress, hang in there.
lsr2002
11 years ago
Sally and Rob,

I'm also keeping your family members and friend in my thoughts and prayers. You two also, of course.

I know how much it meant to me when I needed the thoughts and prayers of everyone here and I am joining in now.

Lee, with wishes and prayers for health, happiness and peace for them.
mustangs81
11 years ago
Kind thoughts for you and prayers for strength and recovery for Debbie, Michelle, and Candy.
dedtired
11 years ago
Sending my best thoughts to you and to your friends and family who are not well.
annie1992
11 years ago
I'll also be sending prayers and strong healing thoughts for the families and the patients.

Sally, I sure hope it stops at three also.

Rob, waiting to get those results so the treatment and healing can start is hard. Hang in there...

Annie
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks again. It means a lot to me.

Sally
tami_ohio
11 years ago
Keeping them and you in my prayers.

Tami
compumom
11 years ago
Good thoughts coming from here too! Best wishes to the ill and those who love them.
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
For those of you that have been so kind to offer your thoughts and prayers, I want to give you an update. It's good news for the most part.

Michelle is on her way home. Her kidneys recovered, and she's no longer needing dialysis. I didn't know kidneys could come back like that, so we're thrilled.

Debbie is off oxygen and moving out of ICU, where she's been for the last several days. She may be able to go home, soon.

My friend, Candy, is still in the hospital, the doctors still haven't figured out what kind of lung cancer she has, but she may be able to go home this weekend. We're keeping our fingers crossed. One thing that occurred to me about her, is that she has very, very long, beautiful hair, long enough to sit on, which she'll obviously lose. What my other friend told me is that Candy plans to donate her hair. I was hoping they could make a wig out of it for her to wear, but she'd donating it. That's the kind of person she is, though, very giving.

Sally
lsr2002
11 years ago
My heart and prayers are still going out to them and to you. We are lucky to have good medical capabilities in 2012 but it is still a long hard struggle.

I'll be watching for more good news from you.

Lee
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Yeah, Candy and Michelle are both home from the hospital. I haven't heard anything new about Debbie.

Thanks, Lee, for your continued prayers, and thanks to all of you, again.

Sally
annie1992
11 years ago
Sally, my stepmother was on dialysis for 8 months, then improved and went off, hasn't been back on and it's been three years. She had to watch her diet, though, not too much potassium, etc.

I'm happy to hear that Michelle and Candy are both home and wish both of them a quick and continued recovery. Here's hoping Debbie continues to improve that that she'll be home soon too.

Hugs to you all!

Annie
dedtired
11 years ago
I always thought that once you were on dialysis you were always on it unless you got a transplant. Dialysis is becoming more common these days. I wonder why. I'm so glad to hear that she was able to get off dialysis and I hope it stays that way.
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks. I know so little about dialysis, but I'm glad she's off, and I'm glad your stepmother was able to improve, Annie.

I just heard that Debbie, as of yesterday, was still in ICU, but may get to move to a room in rehab today if a room becomes available. She was scared of the surgery, didn't want it, but did it anyway because the doctors told her she needed it. Maybe she did, but it looks like her fear was justified. She went into the hospital November 9th, and no telling when she'll get out.

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Sally
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
Sally,

I'm so glad for your updates and it sounds like it's getting better. Me too! They don't think he has cancer, but want to do a biopsy next week. Let's just keep thinking our positive thoughts and healing prayers.
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, Rob, lets do.

I just found out that Debbie was moved out of ICU yesterday. Progress!

Sally
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
Hurray for even greater progress!
Lars
11 years ago
I will be praying for continued improvement for your friends and relatives and also for you to have the strength to get through this with them. I very much appreciate the help that you have been to me and hope that I can return the favor.

Lars
annie1992
11 years ago
Thank goodness, it seems like good news for both of you and the people you care about.

I'll keep hoping and praying for continued recovery.

Annie
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Awww, that's very kind, Lars! And everyone.

Good news! Debbie is finally, after 2 days short of a month, going home tomorrow. We just got a call from her husband this morning. I said to him, 'You must be exhausted!" He said, as only a country boy can, "Oh, I've been there and back so many times!" I'm happy they can both go home and finally get some real rest.

Sally
annie1992
11 years ago
Whew, more good news, now on to complete recovery!

Annie
triciae
11 years ago
Wow Sally, I've not been over here much the past few weeks and missed all this. I'm so glad to read that everybody's doing better. Why does it seem like bad stuff happens in threes??

/tricia
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Tricia, you've had a little bit on your own plate to deal with, to say the least.

Yes, stuff does frequently happen in threes. It's the magic number, I guess.

Sally
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm sad to report that today I am going to the memorial service for my friend, Candy. She was the one I mentioned in this post that had lung cancer.

There are few in this world that are as delightful, caring, funny, talented, and giving as she was. I'm a richer person for having had the pleasure of knowing her and working with her.

Thank you all for the prayers you sent her way last November. She is survived by her life partner, Guy, one daughter and 4 grandchildren, and many, many many friends who will miss her terribly.

Coincidentally, her funeral is happening on the 10th anniversary of my mother's death. RIP, Mom. I still miss you every day.

This forum is the best. Thank you all again for being here.

Sally
dedtired
11 years ago
Oh Sally, I am so sorry to hear of Candy's passing. Thank you for letting us know. I'm glad that you can celebrate all that she brought into your life. That's best legacy a person can leave. Hugs.
maggie2094
11 years ago
So sorry about your friend.
diinohio
11 years ago
(((Sally)))

Di
annie1992
11 years ago
Sally, I'm also saddened to hear that Candy has passed away. She sounds like a wonderful person and the world will be poorer without her.

I'm sending prayers and strong thoughts to you and her family and everyone else who loved her, to get through the difficult days ahead.

Annie
compumom
11 years ago
I'm so sorry that she lost the battle. Sending you hugs to share with her family and friends.
Ellen
sally2_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks everyone. It was a beautiful service. At least 200 people were there. Even the funeral director was amazed at the full Chapel. She was one of those people you just couldn't help but love.

Sally

I'm hoping it stops at three

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