Archive for February, 2012
Taking Up A Hobby
As you all know – we’ve recently lost my mother-in-law, so to keep my father-in-law busy and his mind off grieving – we’ve told him about these cigar auction sites that he can look at as a hobby since he loves the cigar a lot. He never used to smoke them a lot because my mother in law gets a headache from the smell – but now that she is not around – I guess it is no harm getting some for himself. With this cigar auction, he can watch it – and bid for the ones he likes or wants to try. A good hobby to take up and he can once again start having a collection of good cigar to share and show when friends and relative visits from afar.
Helping Kids Get Through Grieving
It was our main worry when my mother-in-law got sick a few weeks ago – was Missy Moo. Missy Moo is only 8 years old – we worried how she would handle losing her grandmother at such an age – especially since she and my mother-in-law was pretty closed. I too grieve because of all the things my mother-in-law isn’t going to experience with her only grandchild and even though I’m not closed to my mother-in-law – I still have feelings for her – since I’ve been here for almost 13 years now.
To help Missy Moo deal with losing her grandmother – we had actually started preparing her when my mother-in-law was in the hospital. When she got worst and the doctor had announced that my mother-in-law was just waiting for her time – we told Missy Moo the truth about her condition and that we didn’t think Grammie was going to make it. When my mother-in-law didn’t wake up from her sleep even though she was alive – we told Missy Moo to say goodbye and to tell her grammie that she will be alright. I think by doing all the above – we’ve helped her to understand and to let go a little.
When my mother-in-law passed away – Missy Moo did cry – but we comforted her and told her that she was in heaven and that she will always have us. But Missy Moo started asking questions like how old we were and how old her grampie was – I think it is to gauge – when we too would die. So we re-assured her that we ain’t dying anytime soon. Of course, we don’t know that but for an 8 yrs old – it can be very frightening to lose a loved one – and the idea of losing anyone else.
We also informed the school, Missy Moo’s teachers and friends about Missy Moo’s recent lost – that way they will be more sensitive towards Missy Moo’s emotional state. The school also helped us – with loaning us some library books to read with Missy Moo and for us to read. Plus the hospital – Dr Leahey was very kind to Missy Moo and recommended a grieve counselor for Missy Moo.
Relaxation
Taking time for yourself and the family is one thing that we have to learn to do in our daily life. Everyone has 24 hrs a day – so when I tell people that I envy them for having time on hand to do stuff with family – that only means that I have to take time to do stuff with them. We had recently bought a folding patio table in time for spring – so that the entire family can enjoy each other a bit more than previous years in the backyard or even at the beach. No more excuses for not relaxing and taking time to do things with the family.Taking time and relaxing is a need for our health – if you loved life – loved your family – then you have to take time to relax. rejuvenate and renew.
Dying Of Cancer
My mother-in-law passed away this morning of liver cancer – and it happened so quickly – we weren’t even prepared for it. She went into the doctor’s thinking that it was an ulcer in her stomach and then they told her – that her liver was enlarged. Less than 2.5 weeks – she died. The cancer in her liver took over so quick – it was too terrible. The last 2 days of her life – she couldn’t even talk to us – nor concentrate to make anything clear. So if you have a discomfort in your stomach – do not wait till you can’t walk or that the pain is so bad – then go see a doctor. Because if my mother-in-law would have gone in sooner – maybe she might have had a chance for a fight but because 90% of her liver was destroyed by cancer – the hospital won’t even do nothing for her. In other words – they just watched her die.
New Maternity Ward
The new maternity ward was just moved to a new wing of the hospital and a friend working for maternity showed me around the other day. She had a new office altogether and it looked really bright and cheery with new wall switch plates to go with her open concept office but they were all painted in pink since I guess it is a maternity ward. 8 years ago when I was having Missy Moo – I don’t remember such a pretty and cozy place for moms-to-be. I remembered a very crowded room with lots of pregnant women and kids trying to get comfortable. So with this new move to another wing of the hospital – I see a lot more space – a lot more open concept and a lot more play area for kids who had to be lugged a long with their mom. In fact, I like the few new things that they had there – that I’m going steal some of their ideas and work it into the basement play room area for Missy Moo.
Cancer In Liver
Yes, apparently the enlarged liver is because the cancer had taken over the liver of my mother-in-law. 90% of her liver is covered with cancer according to both her family doctor and Dr Leahey. According to the doctors, the detection was so late wasn’t anyone’s fault – because usually you don’t feel a lot of pain where the liver is.
My mother-in-law’s condition had taken a worst turn in just a matter of days. But because they don’t think that the cancer came from the liver itself but somewhere else and spread to the liver so quickly – there is actually no way to cure her. I had asked them in a very ridiculous manner – if we were just gonna wait for my mother-in-law to die and not do anything – and they had replied a matter-of -factly that they were doing the after-care and preparing her for the end. JOY!
I learned that once you get liver cancer – the cure chances is very slim and that unless it is detected really early – not much can be done about it. There are tests to determine whether your liver is in trouble – so I’m on the ball with Mr Moo and Missy Moo from now on.
Fighting Stress With Adrenaline Rush
Some people so sky diving, some go water skiing to get that adrenaline rush but I go on a motor bike and crush around with the spouse to relieve my stress level. With his new zero gravity windscreen and when the weather is good, we go for rides in the country side or to cape forchu where the sights and scene are just so beautiful, it takes my breathe away. I loved to go for sunset rides with the spouse on his bike when the weather isn’t too cold and this winter had been so mild, I’m just so glad that we could do a lot of rides of late and I’ve noticed that my stress level isn’t so high now.
I remembered when I was young, we used to dream of holding the man of our dreams and riding into the sunset – so romantic right? and feeling so secure with him to block the wind and to take charge – I think this is exactly how I feel when I’m riding with the spouse now. For those who need the adrenaline rush to relieve your stress try riding on a motorbike with someone you trust – don’t go racing down highway at 120miles/hr.
Enlarged Liver
So we found out that the outlaw had an enlarged liver after she got admitted a few days ago – and honestly, I don’t really know where my liver is till now. And the doctor suspect that it’s cancer and not coming from the liver – it seems that her stomach and various parts of her body have masses of spots. What causes enlarged liver? and what are the cures?
Because it is the liver and not known area of the cancer, a biopsy and other test is being ordered. As of today, we still don’t know if it is cancer but the doctor was quite sure it was. Enlarged liver can caused abdominal discomfort – so those who always have tummy discomfort – please see a doctor before it’s too late to do anything like my outlaw. The situation for her seems very serious and i cannot really tell you anything till i find out more. Of course, we hope it treatable and it’s not too late. I too have some tummy discomfort and I promised myself to see a doctor soon. I hope for the best.
