1.7.09 - Missing Missive and then some...

Well, all I can say is - it's a good thing I signed up for the "75% of the year" group when I tried the blog every day thing! I realized last night (or, rather, early this morning) at about 12:40 AM that I had missed my Tuesday post. Since I didn't really have anything to say, I just didn't post anything!

Today, I have a little to say. Or perhaps a lot to say, depends on where my fingers and thoughts take me.

In my family, we are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. It is the early stage of the disease, where you are almost not quite sure that is the issue. Then things happen that remind you - yes, indeed, AD it is.

I've been reading a bit about it. Whenever the vision of things to come gets too great, I 'cave' for a bit and pretend it isn't there. Yet it is. I think it is okay, at this stage of the disease, to play the ostrich a bit. I hope by caving, by hiding my head a bit, I'm storing up the patience and perseverance I will need as the disease progresses.

Today, sneaking in from stage left, the specter of cancer has entered the scene. A lump felt was reported, then pushed and squeezed at the Women's Wellness Center, who pointed to the mammographer and sonographer, who pronounced a biopsy is needed.

Tomorrow, new doctors will be called and a biopsy of some sort will be scheduled (hopefully, SOON). Then we await the outcome. It could be nothing. It could be something. It is certainly scary. And I hope there is a cancellation that can be filled and have the verdict rendered sooner rather than later.

The Wellness Center was able to get her in the day she called because of a cancellation. Mammograms can take a week to be scheduled. She was taken the next day. Probably would have been the same day had they been open when she got out of the first appointment. I hope the biopsy happens as quick.

A saving grace in our drama? The patient is still in the early stages of the previously named disease and is still cognizant of her surroundings and things she needs to do. Indeed, she felt the lump, albeit several weeks ago, and called the Wellness Center herself on Monday.

Lists and notes and verbal reminders keep her on course. Some new ideas stick easily. Others get twisted up on days and dates and times. The lists and notes and verbal reminders help keep them untwisted.

Please offer up a bit of prayer or good thoughts or whatever you do to wish people well. We'll be needing every bit of everything you can send our way!

I don't think I can cave on this one.

(PS - I am not the 'she' in this story, in case anybody thought I might be!)