A few days ago I sat down to try and write a post, but things have grown a bit hectic—either keeping me away from a computer, or keeping my desire to write quashed.
I finally have some time (and the desire) available to share what I was writing, as well as a few more developments to the stories I wanted to relate. Before I jump into the latest developments, here’s what I was working on this past Wednesday morning:
I hadn't planned on writing anything this morning; however, I have found myself with time to kill, therefore, I am making a sad attempt at coming up with a post while still partially asleep.
I had awoken at a fairly decent hour this morning—a time which allowed me the thought of dropping the children by school and going to my mothers to have a few cups before truly beginning the day. The thought was nice. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone quite as I hoped it would.
I am sitting at Mom and Dad's throwing cup after cup of coffee, but neither my mother, nor my father, are here. I found a note on the kitchen table which informed me that Mom had taken Dad to the hospital for chest and stomach pains. The last word I received from Mom, when I called her, was that other than writhing in agony, Dad was okay. She believes that he may be having issues with his gall-bladder. So, for the time being, I'm sitting in Dad's home office (it's more of an over-sized closet) trying to continue waking up, and waiting on further news.
…in other news…
Diana started work at her new job this morning. Yes, new job. I hadn't mentioned anything about her leaving her last job, as it closely relate to why I hadn't written anything in some time; a point which I had barely made mention of last night, during the barrage of Dial2Do posts.
Financial hardship has this odd way of stressing people. Well, I've been stressed, and even slightly depressed, due to our money problems. On top of what worries I had been beginning to have in early September, Diana walked away from her job. I'm not angered by her decision, nor do I blame her for doing so, based on her treatment at work (and I would so love to go into greater detail, but must refrain from doing so, as she is still eligible for re-hire, should she find another location with openings). I just wish that she had not cracked under the pressure, and that she could have waited on leaving until she had landed another job.
These past few weeks have been very trying.
These next few weeks hold the same promise, where we have fallen so far behind.
*Break approx. 10:00am for parents return to home. Return to writing at approx. 10:50am.*
Well, Dad's in bed right now, and Mom left to take care of a few errands. I'm sitting, keeping an eye and ear out for Dad until Mom returns from her errands.
The ER doc believes that Dad is suffering gall-bladder issues, and has scheduled him for a HIDA scan tomorrow afternoon. Currently, Dad is doped up to ease the pain. I guess we'll get some more answers tomorrow, unless things take a slide before then.
…back to the other depressing news…
I don't know. Things kind of look hopeful. It is possible for us to recover from the financial issues; though I am unsure of how long it will take. With any luck I'll be able to work things out in two weeks and get us back on track. It'll likely remain tight, but it'll all work out.
I've picked up a few "odd-jobs" over the past few weeks, and am working to get a schedule established to where I can work these tasks without interfering with my regular chores at home and my schooling.
Ah, schooling. Another thing which has led to my depression. Another thing which has very close ties to our financial problems.
On numerous occasions throughout the past month I have thought about leaving school in order to find a job and set us back on track. I could very easily find something that pays rather nice at a factory, and quickly bring an end to our pains. But, if I were to do so, I would be losing a lot. I would lose student aid (I'm approaching the time constraint on aid for completion of my degree). My tuition would increase (the school locks tuition at the point which a student first enrolls, so long as there is no break in enrollment). And, of course, it would take longer for me to complete my degree (which is useless in today's job market—how many employment ads have you seen requiring less than a bachelor's?).
I dunno.
Now this post sounds sad and pathetic. It sounds like I'm crying about how unfair things are. That's not where I was wanting to go. I wasn't wanting to try and come up with anything that remotely sounded like a pleading for pity. But, it kinda sounds like that, doesn't it?
…switching gears to try and rid this post of the stench of self-loathing…
A while ago I had introduced the thought of showing some of the ugliness of Cynthiana. I have yet to do so, but still plan to achieve that goal. Time has found ways of impeding those plans.
***break 1124
I had wanted to continue my writing Wednesday evening, but just couldn’t find the motivation to do so.
On Thursday afternoon Dad was admitted to HMH and surgery followed on Friday. He’s doing much better now, and should be released some time Monday morning/afternoon. I’ll try to bring more details there soon. Until then, I’ll throw a few links to my sis’ blog:
· http://glostix.net/2008/10/oh-well-then/
· http://glostix.net/2008/10/good-so-far/
…and in other news…
On Thursday night, as I was returning home from school, my van started misbehaving. For the past few months it has had some issues and difficulties with normal operation, but Thursday night was a little different. I started hearing a nice metal rustling underneath the van, and seeing red hot embers flying from the rear.
Yesterday afternoon finally brought me the time to look at the van, and I think I found the problem I’ve been having for so long. I believe that all the mis- and back- firing (which led to the destruction of the catalytic converter and the tail-pipe’s fireworks show) is due to a piece missing from a corner of the intake manifold. I thought that a few months prior I might’ve seen a hairline crack in that piece… Well, now the piece is gone…
So, this afternoon, I am attempting to do as much schoolwork as I possibly can, and will send an email to the dean, begging that I complete this quarter (aside from exams) from home, as I won’t have transportation until I can afford repairs on the van (and I likely won’t be able to afford any repairs—unless prayers and JB Weld work—until January).
Tags: #randomness
[…] “life and stuff” was originally published on J. Palmer […]
Since those links to my sister's former blog are dead, and the wayback machine's archive is difficult to reach without reading through her other posts, here's the text from those posts I'd previously referenced:
Oh. Well Then.
October 16th, 2008
Dad went in for his scan today… got all prepped up and, well, didn’t get the scan cos of turning green-to-white with every shade in between, and nearly hitting the floor. He was taken over to the ER, where he had a CT scan, which showed that yep, it is his gallbladder, and it’s chock full o’ rocks. Then there’s the persistent fever he’s had since last night on top of that, meaning infection. I overheard his Doc saying his abdomen was “red hot”, IE, on the precipice of getting critical. On the one hand, I’m not worried much, because I’ve been-there and done-that already, narrowly missing the complication of pancreatitis. On the other hand, Mom is worried. And that worries me.
Good So Far
October 17th, 2008
To those who commented on LJ, thanks for your words. Your thoughts and prayers mean a lot :) Now, if you have a weak stomach, you probably ought to think on not reading this.
Dad went into surgery this afternoon as I was out gathering overnight-supplies and running other general errands. Rushed to finish everything up as quickly as possible so I could meet back up with Mom. So we sat. And sat. And munched the little bit of protein I brought up. And sat. TV. Sat. Wait. The surgery lasted nearly four hours, which is pretty freaking insane for a laproscopic procedure. But well, the doc did say it was quite possibly the worst gallbladder he had ever seen. Full of rocks, pus, infection, nasty, and all sorts of fun… which burst as they were pulling it through one of the incisions. So they spent a good hour, hour and a half, flushing out the infected-explosion.
But he came out and went back to his regular room on second floor. He’s looking good, in a lot of ways. All should be clear, but there is still the chance that they didn’t get everything all flushed, so they’re probably going to keep him til Sunday so they can closely monitor him and drop the big-shit antibiotics.
And nowww… I think I’m going to get some solid food, a nice stiff drink to settle my nerves, and start looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
