Good News

Well it's stage 2 cancer. Caught early. That's good because its highly treatable. They don't think it has spread. We will have to wait for tests to tell for sure. He sees the radiation oncologist on Friday. Those prayers may have worked Dave, thanks. I am looking forward to hearing about his visit on Friday and will update.

Cancer Sucks

I had posted here a few weeks ago how I found The Hudson Brothers online and the youngest one has throat cancer. I was following his blog online about his treatment and what he is going through. It was heart wrenching reading about his painful treatments. He was saying he couldn't swallow, he was in so much pain. I felt guilty even eating after reading that post. My heart broke for him.

Yesterday my sister in law called me to tell me my husband's brother has throat cancer. Coincidence? I am not sure. But for the last 3 weeks I have been reading about throat cancer, the optional treatments (some not available in the U.S.) I have read about the best foods to eat when having cancer treatment. I have been basically following this man's treatment every day that he posts. And now here we are with a very close family member with the same horrific, painful disease. The treatments for this disease are really painful and can be disfiguring. (surgery)

I don't know if finding this gentleman a few weeks ago will help my brother in law, but I like to think it happened for a reason.
Please please, if you have a religious bone in your body, say a prayer for my brother in law Ruben. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He would do anything for anyone. If I could, I would take the cancer for him. The next few months are going to be tough on my family. I had given up on religion since 2001. And even after my son's near death, I wasn't sure about it. But I feel like praying is all I can do. I can't do anything except pray and be there for him and his family.

Much too young to die..

My 43 year old cousin died Sunday night from a brain stem stroke. It was his second stroke in the last couple of years. He had the stroke around Thanksgiving time. The doctor said he wasn't taking his meds. He is just a little younger than I am. I still can't believe he is gone. And though it's been years since I have seen him...I still feel the loss of him. I am glad he came to visit me a few years back. I don't have a picture of him..but he is almost a twin to the actor Randy Harrison...

WTF??

Don't these people have jobs or anything else they can be doing with their time and talent?

I give up...

Ok, I gave up and decided to take the meds for the high blood pressure. It was going up to 156/108. My doctor said I can't wait and she called something in. I waited 2 days and then today took my first one just a little while ago. My sister tells me they make her really tired, so I took it in the evening. I took my blood pressure about 30 minutes after taking it and it was 123/80.
Today at work it was 150/97. It seems to spike at work. I can't imagine why?

Rose colored glasses

Well I have decided I need a new outlook on life. I am a worrier. I worry about worrying. It is causing stress.... which is causing my high blood pressure which could end up shortening my life. So, I have decided that worrying isn't going to change anything. I am going to stop worrying about things and just enjoy every day.

If Citigroup folds, no worry, my husband is very smart, bilingual and can find another job.

My boss is moving to Texas next year, no worry, there are other dentists out there who would love to have me run their front desk.

My son has his own car and is out there driving with the maniacs...well...there are some things I still have to have concerns about. But I will try not to lose sleep and stress about it. I lived in a bubble before and I can do it again. For a while anyhow, until reality bites me in the butt.

Under pressure

Ok now I have high blood pressure. My doc says that from the sounds of it, its stress and not necessarily my diet. I eat pretty healthy but need to cut back on red meats (Kate will be happy to hear that) and exercise, (she will be happy to hear that also). I also need to stay stress free. Well that won't be happening. My husband works for Citibank. Need I say more.....
I have to take my blood pressure daily and report back to the doctor in 2 weeks. If it hasn't gotten better, I have to take meds. I don't want to do that but HBP runs in my family and even though I eat right and am not over weight, it could just be bad genes. So I am including Queen/David Bowie's Under Pressure for your viewing and listening pleasure.