Thank you Beth, Stacie, Tracey, and Tracy. You ladies really are such good friends to me!
Christmas is over! Thank you God, I survived it, the kids had a nice Christmas in spite of everything and its a New Year with new possibilities. In spite of gaining about 8 pounds over the last couple of weeks, I woke up feeling somehow lighter. To update on my recent happenings:
My mom: Thank you for your continued prayers. We have done four rounds of chemo with at least 20 to go. I still don't think this is the right course of action, I don't think she can survive it but she isn't ready to give up. She is weak, has lost a lot of control of her bodily functions, hair is gone, her spirits are extremely low, Alzheimers is worse and doctor cheerfully claims she is still going to give her seven years. Private duty nurse says that is a crock and I can plainly see by looking at my mom that won't be the case. Dear God I hope not. I made an appointment with the social worker, she is coming out next week, we'll likely have to explore either home care or nursing home. Exactly what my mom didn't want, begged me not to let happen and even signed a medical power of attorney over to me to keep that from happening. Doctor says my mom is perfectly capable of making her own mind up. I cannot help but wander if the money doctor gets from pumping my mom full of chemo is a factor in her (dr's) decision. I am just bidding my time, stepdad and I are very much on the same page so that is good. I made arrangements with stepdad to have friends take them to chemo on the 18th when I am in
Disneyland. At this point, if she is about the same, I am going. But of course given the situation that trip is still up in the air.
Christmas: was okay, I had too many family members with too many agendas. A few of them tried to be helpful to me by being mean to others (long story) and let me just say, that WAS NOT helpful at all. It merely stressed me out. The tension at times was so thick you coudn't cut it with a knife. Topped off on the 30th when I had my brother's inlaws, brother, sister and all the respective kids, spouses etc. over for lunch. Went over to bathe and dress my mom, it was obvious she wasn't going to be able to come, so I ended up entertaining the masses and really missed my parents who always kept the conversation flowing. My mother was scarecely mentioned by anybody and I was furious at myself for even getting myself into that mess. Never again! No sense trying to play happy family because the glue that made us happy isn't really with us anymore so it doesn't work. I guess I stupidly thought people could just put their own crap aside and come together. Wrong!!!
Weight/food: Literally ate til I was ready to drop. Capped if off yesterday by consuming all leftovers until 10:00 p.m. Woke up today and had Slim Fast, got my IPod loaded and have date with the treadmill in a bit. I also made out a grocery list of healthy food and threw out leftovers I was too stuffed to eat.
Weight today: (OMG) 228. Geez, what happened to 213? That was what I weighed at the beginning of the summer. Oh well, at least the scale can move down if I do my job of being nice to myself. I have to take better care of myself becasue I have too many people who count on me. I woke up today and decided I have to embrace what I have. I have come to be thankful where my mom is concerned. I have been given a gift to care for her and our relationship is closer than ever. I have been told by my mother how much I am loved more in the last month than some people hear in a lifetime. My kids are learning and seeing what true, unconditional love is all about. Dh and I are getting closer as are stepdad and I. Brother and sister aren't there yet with all of this, not my problem! I know that whatever happens, nothing can take away the love my mother and I have shared and the bond that has grown between us for over 35 years since my dad died, that has gotten closer and stronger in the last six and half years since she got sick. I find myself not being afraid of whatever happens. I would like my mother to suffer less and find peace but in the end a lot of that is out of my control.
I have decided not to rejoin Weight Watchers at the moment, that could change but for now I spend so much time at my mom's that I need every spare hour I have to be at home getting my own life in order and working out. Haven't been to Curves since December 6, don't feel guilty because I literally didn't have time. I may very well try to get out of that contract, I will see how often I can go in January. If only they stayed open longer but hey, most of their clients are retired (acorss street from huge senior living community) and I am only one of about 10 clients who is under the age of 65 years of age. Again, can't change my joining, my life or their policies. So I will try this month to get in there and if I can't I will ask to be released from my contract (which owner said she would do).
I am going to get to your journals today I promise! Right now I am going to walk, at least I have some good music to listen to while I do it. My goal is to walk at least 3 times a week and do Curves twice. Perhaps a bit lofty but I can't even fail at a goal unless I set one! I also want to spend time each day being thankful for what I have, planning food for the next day so that each day has a plan from the moment I get up and keep up better with WISH.
Happy New Year, may it be a fantastic one for all of us!!
