Gonnachange

Thanks SW. The bad news keeps on coming; found out today that my stepmother, who I dearly love, has early stage breast cancer.

As I wrote a couple of days ago when writing about my FIL, this is not the stuff that leads me to pick up a drink. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Big decisions need clarity of mind and that's not happening if alcohol is involved.

Off to spend time with the family.

Soberwolf

Sorry bud

Gonnachange

Thanks SW. Although it was caught very early she was shaken when I spoke with her yesterday. Who wouldn't be?

Soberwolf

Here if you ever want to talk bud

Gonnachange

Thanks for your generous offer. No doubt there are going to be some stressful months ahead of us between what's going on with my FIL and my stepmother. If need be I'll get in touch. Thanks again.

Della1968

Sorry to hear GC thinking good thoughts for both.

tokidoki

So sorry for the news Gc.

Gonnachange

Thanks Della. Fortunately there is a strong support system on both sides and while the news my stepmother got was upsetting she is in excellent health, has access to excellent doctors, and the cancerous cells are so small that they would not have been picked up with a traditional mammogram so there are many positives. She feels great and I fully expect that she has many years of a vibrant and fulfilling life ahead of her. Not being a Pollyanna and nobody is sticking their head in the sand like an ostrich. Her situation will be aggressively dealt with; right now we're in the information gathering stage and whatever needs to be done will be.

My FIL's situation is a little more perplexing because the specialists can't agree on what's wrong. In the past year he's had a couple of surgeries to alleviate his symptoms and, at best, they've been marginally effective. It wasn't too long ago that he was as strong as an ox with boundless energy. Not so much anymore.

As I know I wrote previously, none of the above is going to cause me to drink; it will have the opposite effect because I can only be my most helpful and supportive if my brain are body are not polluted.

Thanks all for "listening".

Gonnachange

Thanks.

Soberwolf

Have a nice day GC

Dee74

Thinking of you and your family GC.
D

Gonnachange

Thanks and the same to you. Been doing some house stuff this morning and in about a hour I'm going for a run with my wife.

Gonnachange

Thank you Dee. I appreciate it.

Gonnachange

Going out to dinner with my wife and son tonight; my drink of choice is going to be club soda. Same thing with tomorrow's Easter party.

Just as with last night I don't believe I'm giving up or moving away from anything, but moving toward and gaining some great things.

Gonnachange

Last night....water at dinner and club soda at home. To expand upon what I wrote yesterday about today's party: There will be no alcohol consumed by me today and if anybody offers me something I'm going to tell them the truth. Because my wife's family (both nuclear and expanded) has more than its share of people with alcohol and/or drug abuse issues nobody is going to bat an eye. Okay, maybe they will, but nobody is going to do anything to undermine me.

To all who celebrate, have a happy Easter. To everyone else, enjoy the day.

Della1968

Happy Easter GC!

Gonnachange

Thanks Della and the same to you.

DrunkenDonuts

Merry Easter GC!

Gonnachange

Thanks DD and the same to you.

Soberwolf

Happy easter GC spk soon bud hows your day going friend