Well, it’s been a month

So, the past month has been interesting to say the least.  I’ll talk about them in order of how I remember…

My dad had a successful surgery to remove the cancer in his stomach, bowels, pancreas, etc.  I’ve not seen much of him.  I went to the hospital a twice, but I’ve not visited him since he got out.  As much as the relationship between my step-family is supposed to be on the “mend,” I just don’t see it.  I feel like an accessory to what is going on…  I get all the information second hand, and honestly, my dad only talks to me when I call, then he has nothing to say.  My sister is having better luck with conversations and such, so, I’m just going with that.  Honestly, it’s really more than I want to deal with anyway.

My aunt De has been staying with my dad.  Her daughter Angie just had a little baby girl on the 4th.  Her name is Breesa.  I’m wishing that De was standing up for herself a bit more, simply so she can help Angie, but it’s not happening.  There is a HUGE argument going on about where my dad should be having the Chemo.  My sister and I (as well as De) would like my dad to stay with my sister during the week, so that he can have the Chemo in Santa Clara.  That way we can all help out taking him to treatment.  My dad’s wife prefers Concord, which is a good 1/2 hour north from their house.  And, she would like us to help take him to treatment as well.  Both my sister and I think this is really too much to ask.  It’s a 45 minute drive to my dad’s house in no traffic.  That means that our day is basically wasted in the car driving him back and forth.  Obviously, we are not winning the argument, and as long as De continues to stay up there, it’s not going to get any better.  I wish that my father could see why the Santa Clara option would be so much better for everyone involved.  But, he is doing whatever his wife says.  And, it’s not at all reasonable.

My mom’s hip surgery to repair the lining in her hip was not as successful as we had hoped.  Apparently, her artificial hip is having problems, and one of the pieces that holds it together has fallen down the shaft.  She continues to be in immense pain, and is frustrated at the prospect that she WILL have to have another full hip replacement on her older artificial hip.  I can’t say that I blame her.  I wouldn’t want it either.  I’m trying to convince her that she should have this surgery while I’m out on maternity leave.  It will be so much easier for me to take care of things, when I’m home.

Needless to say, I’ve been doing things around the house that I normally don’t do.  I’ve been doing all the shopping, most of the cooking, and until this last week the laundry for us all…  I’ve been exhausted when I get home from work.  Hell, I’m exhausted at work most days.  I’m not doing a great job of making everything happen at home or at work.

Right after new years, I got a very, very nasty cold.  I coughed so hard that I pulled a stomach muscle.  I was stuck in my room, with a humidifier for 3 days.  It really wasn’t pretty.  My doctor has given me an inhaler, because my cough is still not better.  I have a slight wheeze…  The inhaler is working today, which is very nice.  I’m not hacking too much today.

I’ve not been knitting much.  I’ve been totally tired at the end of the day.  I did make several scarfs as gifts for Christmas, but I’ve not really picked up the needles since the first of the year.  I do miss it, I really do.  I see how much work others are doing, and I feel like I’m lazy or something.  I know I’ve been sick, but it feels like no excuse.

The baby is still right on schedule.  February 29th is the day.  The baby kicks non stop.  Some days I really like it.  Others, no.  Oh well.