I just realized I haven't posted anything here in a week and a half, so I thought it was time for a quick update.
I've mentioned before that my dad has been battling stage 4 melanoma for the past year, and things have worsened considerably the past month or so. The cancer has now spread to his brain and the spots on his liver are affecting his digestive tract. He's been hospitalized twice in the past two weeks, and we went to visit him last weekend, during his brief time at home (which all explains where I've been).
We had a good weekend with him, though he was horribly weak and frail. Still, we made the best of it and enjoyed a card game, watching old home movies together, and enticing his appetite back with some of his favorite foods. Unfortunately, he was back in the hospital just 24 hours after we left, with swelling in his brain. My sister is there with him now, and we are back at home, anxiously waiting for news.
So, yeah, a lot of stress...and you know what that means when you have ME/CFS. I've been doing OK, but my symptoms are flared up a bit today, and I am just feeling run-down and worn out. Besides worrying and waiting for an update, I am anticipating additional trips there (about a 7-hour drive away), probably last-minute and unplanned. We have some limited vacation plans this month, so I'm a bit worried about that, too, though we'll actually be traveling within NY state, not too far from where he lives.
That's where I've been! Sorry for the blog silence - I will try to get back to posting more regularly.
I have had Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) since March 2002. Both of my sons also got ME/CFS at ages 6 and 10. Our younger son fully recovered after 10 years of mild illness. Our older son still has ME/CFS and also has Lyme disease plus two other tick infections. This blog is about how our family lives with chronic illness, with a focus on improving our conditions and enjoying our lives in spite of these challenges.
It might be worth it to fill suitcases, a bag of snacks and a bag of comfort things for the trip -- like heat and cold packs, wipes, sun glasses, ear plugs, snacks with a little food value like nuts etc. It helps to get things ready ahead of time, of course, but for me it is the making lists, organizing etc that helps me to lose some of the stress and anxiety. Knowing a bag is ready to pop into the car is great but just having a list of what should go in it helps me. I do not do well with waiting for the other shoe to drop.
ReplyDeleteBeing prepared is great advice! As for general packing for a trip, we travel a lot, so I am a champ at packing for comfort!
DeleteThanks!