A Little Shakespeare

When sorrows come,

They come not single spies,

But in battalions.

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William Shakespeare

Hamlet, 4. 5

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This has been the most heartbreaking week of my weary memory. To explain, in the past week I've learned:

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(1) my mother in law must have another surgery on her arm--severely nerve damaged from the last surgery (if only I specialized in medical malpractice...);

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(2) T's step-mother (my step-mother-in-law?), whom I adore, learned that she has uterine cancer and will find out tomorrow if it has spread;

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(3) T will learn tomorrow whether he needs another kidney surgery and if he can avoid a transplant for another year; and

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(4) my thirty-four year old brother has a "dark mass" on his heart and will learn this Wednesday whether he needs open heart surgery. He's THIRTY-FOUR.

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I could not conceive that such a myriad of ill news would confound me all at once. I am a bundle of raw nerves to say the least. I keep trying to think happy thoughts and have faith, but damn this is tough. I, of course, will be my normal pillar of strength and attempt to bring to light the humor of my loved ones situations ("Keep that catheter to yourself buddy!"), but to be honest, I ache from the worry and sorrows overwhelming our family right now. I am running on pure adrenaline and am on autopilot, nodding and smiling through the day, barely aware of my surroundings.

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Lessons to learn:

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-Never take your health for granted.

-Never take your loved ones for granted.

-Never take those "lulls" in life for granted.

-Trust your instincts and go to the doctor, even if you're just paranoid.

-Life goes on...

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I must still get up and go to work everyday. Bills have to be paid. Bella, who hates me for not walking her lately (with this heat wave, she'd never make it), still needs to be fed and loved. Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.

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Promise to write something more cheerful next post, but right now, I am simply unable. If big brother has to have open heart surgery, will have to fly down South to Mississippi--how I wish it were for a happier occasion!--so my posts may be sporadic. Will keep y'all posted. Hope this finds you all in wonderful health and with a tad more emotional stability than I currently have...

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xoxo,

Leigh