OT: Prayers for my sister, please.

Is it something the Gamma Knife could work on?  (I used to have neuroscience client and did a lot of work around brain tumors.)

They've decided on NO treatment now.  The doctors told her this morning that she has lung cancer that metasthesized to the brain and other inoperable brain tumors.  Of course she's hysterical.. not afraid to die.. actually, she's looking forward to going home...  but the way she's gotta get there is.............. oh..  How's the weather up there?  Short sleeves and a light sweater going to be enough?  sneakers... snow's all gone right? 

Snow?  Been gone at least a month. NJ weather...ever changing.  Yesterday 68 and comfy w/o a jacket, today needed to wear a winter coat as it was 36 this morning. Stuck in an office all day, no idea if it warmed up. April--shower**** hard starting yesterday.  Storm last night lulled me to sleep. I am sorry for the way in which she will go, but at least you know the prize on the other side.

Yuk.. my mustang hates the rain...  I'm leaving here Friday morning early.. and I'll probably be up there for the long haul.  My eldest sister is leaving Syracuse on Friday.. and we'll meet in Lodi.  Joyce is in YUCKY Passaic St. Mary's right now (wish she were in Hackensack).  My eldest sister is being run down there by her husband so she'll have no car.. so blah blah blah blah blah... we'll get it done.  Debi is relieved we're coming as it's obvious she and Carol cannot do this alone.  They just went through this with my mother. God.. I don't have a winter coat.. oh well...  it'll be fine.. I still have lots of padding on my bones. Well.. I told 'em.. just float me a pillow and have a shower handy and I'll cop a squat wherever.  When things settle down.. I'll probably stay at Joyce's with her through the night..   For now I'll crash at Carol's and she needs someone to cover her job in the restaurant so she can be with Joyce too..or she won't HAVE a job.  She'll tell her boss that I'll cover.  This will work.. we'll get it done and Joyce can be home in her own bed where she belongs. I'm just spouting.. sorry.. going over things in my head.  We have no sense of organization here..  we just gotta start by getting us all in the same place. Storms here too last night.. they were gorgeous. We just don't really know... but.. I'll be around tonight and tomorrow on here... so if I disappear for a while, you guys know why.

Lori....if she wants to be at home, please look into hospice care.  I'm sure her doctors have recommended it, if she's near the end.  Their main goal is to make your sister as comfortable as possible (comfort care) with the necessary pain medications (as she needs them) at home.   A nurse will meet with you and help you decide what equipment you may need (hospital bed, commode, etc) and help set everything up.  Then a visiting nurse stops by as often as you need her and can set up additional services (aides, etc) if needed.  They can even do IV infusions for pain meds if necessary.  They are also VERY supportive of the family and will allow you all to do as much or little as you wish.  It really is a wonderful supportive system that allows your sister to die peacefully at home with those who love her near. There is great comfort at this time for you all to be together and I'm glad you're able to do that.  The good Lord will give you the strength you (and your family) need in the difficult days ahead.  May He also provide comfort and peace for your sister. Have a safe trip and know hugs are coming your way!

Hospice was very good with my mother..  actually, we called them when she passed.. not knowing what to do.   We don't know where she's at...  this could be a week.. this could be a couple of months.  We just don't know and no one wants to answer that question.   I got my backpack ready.... went and got enough cash to get me through a couple of months.   I have so few clothes and they are so much smaller that everything goes right in one bag.  Jon is putting what I need in the car while I get off of my feet for a few.   There's nothing else... so I'm just going to leave tomorrow morning instead of Friday.  My sisters sound sooooooooooo tired. The eldest will be pulling into Tom's River late Friday night...  I could zip down there and pick her up I still haven't talked to Joycey yet..  I would just rather this be me.  

Usually, hospice is available if there's 3 months or less time left....of course it's impossible for the doctors to know for sure.  Your sisters will be so glad to see you....glad you are able to just take off like that and help out.    Things seem to work out for a reason sometimes.  Take this opportunity and draw comfort from your time together. May God be with you all.....let us know if we can help in any way....we're all here for you.

I do appreciate the support.  All we're doing on the phone is crying.. we can't even understand what each other is saying anymore. She wants to get home a.s.a.p. to get her affairs in order....  and I've got her Friday.  At night we'll all get together to figure out how, what, when, where. Carol (her twin), is beyond comforting.. I just told her "we're just going to DO THE DO Carol... one day, one hour, ONE MINUTE at a time if we have to. So... I'll see all of yaz when I see yaz. Take care everyone! Take care of each other!! Lori

Lori, Joyce and your family will be in my prayers.  I will pray for strength for Joyce, for peace and comfort and a strong faith.  I pray the Lord will carry her during this time and that her family will envelope her with the love and strength she will need.  I hope the radiation will give her the time she needs and your family needs. This is a very difficult and precious time.  Please pm me if you ever need to talk.  I won't go into it right now, but my dear cousin (whom I used to refer to as my second sister...still do actually) had brain cancer as well. Melinda

Consider it done! -Bud