Prayer/positive energy request

[PhoenixAzul]

:-( My grandfather is in the hospital again with chest pains this time.
Bonus points to him for not being stubborn and just going.
Minus points for not calling my mother until this morning, because he didn't want to wake her (wtf, pop?)

He's having a heart catheterization tomorrow, and then we'll see. He's doing OK just now, had a stress test...and by stress test, I mean we are all stressed by this test.

You can't tell an 87 yr old man with a math degree from Penn to do a damn thing, so the best I can do at this point is pray and hope that it all goes well and that he doesn't get an infection.

It's hard realizing that those you love are getting old :-(

[AGDee]

Sorry to hear that Tulip. And P_Azul- Your grandfather is in my prayers also.

[aephi alum]

Prayers for all...

My mother had her second chemo treatment yesterday. I was by her side as long as I was allowed to be. (They only allow one visitor per patient, and she wanted my father there, so I had to leave.)

Today, she went back for a follow-up, and was found to be extremely dehydrated. She received IV fluids, and she may have to go back tomorrow for more.

I'm glad I'm just an hour's drive away, but it's wearing on me, taking me away from my work (and I'm self-employed - I can't take any paid leave), and the MTA is making a mint off me on bridge tolls. My parents have a home health aide, physical and occupational therapists, and a housekeeper ... but I'm an only child, so I have to handle all the emotional and psychological support.

My husband is there for me, and I thank him for being there and I thank God for bringing such a wonderful man into my life.

[lovespink88]

Prayers to you aephi alum!

I could use some kind thoughts/good vibes/prayers. As I mentioned, we're moving to Colorado Springs. I applied for a job actually IN Colorado Springs that's in my industry. This is HUGE because there are not many agencies in Denver, let alone Colorado Springs, where we're moving (I seriously think there may be 2).

I think I am PERFECT for this job. I have the perfect amount of experience, the estimated salary is actually larger than I thought it would be, they asked for experience on an automotive account, which I have...I just don't think it could get any better!

The recruiter contact me very quickly after sending in my resume. I take this as a good sign. I just sent in an official questionnaire which will determine if they want to take the next steps with me.

I don't think I could have a found a better opportunity, considering our upcoming move.

My ONLY concern is that timing might not be right. We're not moving until June...

So, I am praying that they are not urgently trying to fill this position and if they give me the chance to show them I am perfect for this job, that they will be willing to let me start in June.

I don't think I have wanted a job more than this.

[maconmagnolia]

Praying for everyone who needs it.

On my last night of spring break while being home, I fell down some stairs (it was raining, the stairs were outside and very slick) and broke my arm. I've had to take a week off of school; thankfully my teachers have been very understanding.

The first cast I was in was HUGE and I couldn't even dress myself. So, I got surgery, which is slowly but surely giving me more mobility. The surgery should help my arm heal much more quickly than it would have healed without surgery. Surgery went well, but my arm is still pretty sore. I'm going back to Mizzou this weekend, so I won't have my parents there to help me get around. I'm praying that I will have the strength to study (my pain pills make me absolutely exhausted) and that I will continue to gain mobility in my arm. Any good thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

[PhoenixAzul]

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately, the news was "good"...then it wasn't. Pop had a heart catheterization, which initially the report was "He's fine, minor blockage, they'll do a stint." But then it came back from my mom that the major artery to his heart is 100% blocked. So blocked that they couldn't get the instrument to where it needed to be, despite repeated attempts. The next step is usually open-heart surgery, but his lung capacity is reduced because of many years of smoking before he quit in the 80s, so they didn't do that. I guess he's had undiagnosed heart disease for years*.

I guess what happens now is that he is on medication for pretty much the rest of his life, but the biggest problem is that he can no longer drive. And I think that is going to be the hardest part for him. Because it was so blocked, he could have a heart attack at any time- even while driving. He lives independently at the moment, but he's recovering at my parents house right now, but they're hoping he'll move in with them. It's just not going to be a pleasant transition for him, loosing his freedom in a oner.

* This worries me on another level- his wife, my mom's mom, died of heart disease in her mid-40s, before I even got to meet her. My mom has always struggled with her weight, and she hovers in the "prediabetic" phase of things. Now, she's been doing better in the last 5 years, and so now I'm terrified that she's going to have heart issues, too . I just can't handle the thought of life without my mom.

On top of all of this- while all this was going on- I was in a staff meeting where we were told that 1 in 4 of my coworkers will loose their job next week...so I'm freaking the hell out.

I am loosing my hair from stress, already

[DreamfulSpirit]

Omega Phi Alpha lost a dear member to a recurrence breast cancer this morning, Ann DeMatteo. She's a former National President and the only sister to have been awarded our highest award twice. I just ask that you please keep her family, friends, and sisters in your prayers.

[aephi alum]

Bad news ... Mom is back in the hospital, and the outlook is bleak. My parents went to the ER at maybe 1am with my mother complaining of severe pain that even morphine wouldn't relieve. Turns out her esophagus has perforated (she has esophageal cancer) and she also has a pulmonary embolism.

So my father called me around 9am (and let me tell you, that is NOT the way you want to be awakened on a Sunday morning - or any morning!). My husband and I threw together an overnight bag and went over to the hospital. She's in the ICU, unconscious and intubated. The vital signs display showed that she was tachycardic with a blood pressure of 60 systolic. (!) (Turns out the BP cuff hadn't been placed properly and her BP was actually more like 120/60.)

I hope she heard me when I said, "I love you, Mom."

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Bad news ... Mom is back in the hospital, and the outlook is bleak. My parents went to the ER at maybe 1am with my mother complaining of severe pain that even morphine wouldn't relieve. Turns out her esophagus has perforated (she has esophageal cancer) and she also has a pulmonary embolism.

So my father called me around 9am (and let me tell you, that is NOT the way you want to be awakened on a Sunday morning - or any morning!). My husband and I threw together an overnight bag and went over to the hospital. She's in the ICU, unconscious and intubated. The vital signs display showed that she was tachycardic with a blood pressure of 60 systolic. (!) (Turns out the BP cuff hadn't been placed properly and her BP was actually more like 120/60.)

I hope she heard me when I said, "I love you, Mom."

I'm so sorry. I'm confident she heard you. All of the hospice information says that hearing is the last thing to go and people usually hear you up until the end. Keep talking to her. *hugs*

[MysticCat]

So sorry, aephi alum! Praying for you all.

[SWTXBelle]

{{{{{aephi alum}}}}}

I am so sorry.

[MaryPoppins]

Prayers for you and your family aephi _alum.

[StealthMode]

Oh gosh, I am sending prayers and love your way.

[honeychile]

((((((((((((aephialum)))))))))))) Prayers coming your way, for your whole family!

[Tulip86]

You and your family are in my thoughts.