Sad. Mad. I don't know what

[ravena_kade]

Did the cousin thing.

I walked into the house and stopped by the sick cousins room to talk with her... and the youngest sister shoo'd me out saying that it was time for a nap. Ummmm... Ummm...

I did get an apology for Friday's call. She said she was sorry to do that to me. I said that I really didn't need to know, but that she must have really needed to tell someone.

I made a suggestion that since the patient is somewhat comfortable in that new recliner why not get one so she can be in the living room with people instead of isolated in a bedroom. They said they just thought of that today and will order one.

It turns out that by feeding the sister in her room and not allowing her to get up except to go the bathroom that her muscles have deteriorated and she can't walk properly. OMG THEY MADE HER WORSE. Both my Grandmother and my Mother made themselves feeble by not moving like that.

The lead sister then played a recording of the diagnosis that happened Thursday afternoon. Ummm...Ummm... how much shit did they get wrong in the retelling. THIS IS AGAINST HIPAA. Umm...does Sister know you are playing this? The answer was that she wouldn't care. Yeah but their brother and older sister don't know yet. Oh it's fine.

I thought I was going to be sick.

The recording confirmed the type of cancer and that it is genetic.

Then the youngest sister says she thinks it would be good to get rid of the cats. Why? Well the litter has dust. Ummm... she doesn't have lung cancer. Those cats have been her constant companions since she has been banished to her room. That would be cruel. What I wanted to say was "Look you dumb Fuck I'll come over and clean the litter box if you are too lazy to do it. It's the least you can do while the lead sister does everything in the household. Im surprised I didn't bite my tongue off not saying it.

They are still going to go on the vacation at the end of April and first 2 weeks of May. The doctor didn't think 2 weeks would make a difference since they wont have many of the results back until mid to late April.

On the way home my Dad said he was glad he listened to the recording because that is not what they told him Friday night. He also thought that they were making things worse. It's nice that he and I are on the same page. That doesn't happen often.

In the end it is their journey. If cousin is a fighter she will try. I offered to watch my Aunt if they needed to be other places. I offered to stay with the patient if they needed to go out and she could not go. I dont want to know anything else.

Comments

[chris_warrior]

i just found out yesterday afternoon that one of my cousins passed away from colon cancer. we'd found out at Christmas he was in and out of the hospital, but apparently my eldest brother wasn't even supposed to say that much, so the entire thing was fobbed off as maybe he was in detox or something (he drank quite heavily). and suddenly, yesterday, my brother pulled me aside and told me he's gone. we decided not to tell my mother, because she'd probably forget, and it'd bring up the constant "why am i still here at nearly 90 when everyone else is dying?" refrain. he was only 5 or 6 years older than me.

it's crazy how you and i seem to be going through stuff in tandem. i hope your cousin fights and kicks cancer's ass, though.

[ravena_kade]

It's just the age of the families. Things come in cycles, but it is so hard, especially on the elders.


I hope the cousin can get some strength back and get out and enjoy life while she can. I wonder if she can get PT to come to the house.

[disneydream06]

DON'T TAKE HER CATS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's like they are trying to make her give up. :o :o :o
I hope she is a fighter.
HUGS, Jon

[brickhousewench]

It turns out that by feeding the sister in her room and not allowing her to get up except to go the bathroom that her muscles have deteriorated and she can't walk properly.

If her doctor didn't prescribe bed rest, she should have kept moving around. Our bodies are designed to move. One of my problems right now, and I can tell, is that working at home I don't get in enough movement. And I can feel it.

Those cats have been her constant companions since she has been banished to her room. That would be cruel.

100% cruel. Having pets is so important for people's mental health. And they've done studies that cats purring has a healing effect.

[ravena_kade]

Moving is so important. WFH has really impacted the way I have to commute now. Im getting used to it, but boy I am having a rough time with my aggressive commute.

And yes, purring is wonderful.