Writing Weasels and Woe

[lydamorehouse]

Shawn reported last night that they'd finally talked to the doctors about the biospies they took from her dad's liver and lungs. He's got six months to live. When she told me that I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I had no idea real, live doctors actually made prouncements like that. Six months? Dang.

I guess the kind of cancer he has is very agressive. It went from zero to where it is now (riddling his body) in eight months. There's really no treatment options, given the fragility of grandpa's body, his age, and, frankly, his temperment. He wants out of that place. Now. Unfortunately, he's still in ICU and will be there until he's strong enough to move back to the care facility he was between the first diagnosis and surgery. The plan is to get him home ASAP. But, seriously, grandpa really just wants to make an escape. Apparently, he was plotting with Shawn's brother to try to get Greg to "bring around the car." He can hardly walk, and he wants them to sneak him out of there.

Awesome. I mean, seriously, Shawn's dad is fiesty. You gotta love that. And, because of that, the family has conspired with the doctors not to tell grandpa about the six months deal. Right now, he's fighting. They're afraid if he heard that, he'd give up.

What I wish is that if doctors are going to give you six months, they could give you six, healthy, active months. That way you could do all that stuff you tell yourself you'd do if you only had six months to live, you know? Six months of laying in bed with failing health is, well, just mean. You should have six months to... dance.

It's funny how words fail you. All I could say to Shawn was, "Man, that sucks," like she didn't already know that. It's times like that when I wish I could teleport. She doesn't need my words. She needs hugs and a shoulder to cry on.

Rats.

So last night I wasn't able to write much. I was kind of anxious to hear more from Shawn -- they had an evening consultation with the doctor planned yesterday evening. I opened my computer, but I mostly just stared at the screen. Finally, I realized I was too distracted to write, so I popped in the DVDs of Torchwood's first season that xochiquetzl sent me. I'm pretty hooked, and it was pleasantly distracted.

Shawn will be home tomorrow night. Tonight I have to juggle little boy, the babysitter, caucus, and class. Wish me luck.

Comments

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. rarelylynne and I have both lost a parent to cancer, and we know how hard it is.

[rarelylynne.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

*hug*

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, docs told be I'd never carry a baby to term, and I have two beautiful children, ages 5 and 9. So, just remember doctors don't know everything. Just 'cause they give him six months doesn't mean he can't fight and prove them wrong. :)

***HUGS***

[jenwrites.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about the news. From what I've heard from other folks, once you hit the "riddled" stage, it doesn't matter how good your health is. It's too late.

The plan is to get him home ASAP. But, seriously, grandpa really just wants to make an escape. Apparently, he was plotting with Shawn's brother to try to get Greg to "bring around the car." He can hardly walk, and he wants them to sneak him out of there.

Yeah, even at her sickest, my grandmother was the same way.

{{{HUGS}}} to you and yours.

[sg1scribe.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry to hear this news.

You are all in my thoughts.

[tiernsshadow.livejournal.com]

Sometimes "Man, that sucks" about sums it up.

I had no idea real, live doctors actually made prouncements like that. Six months? Dang. Yeah. It's so surreal and Lifetime movie-ish to hear it. The cancer fairy's been hovering around my friends group this past couple of years, so I've heard that kind of pronouncement a couple times now. I think they must give the shortest estimate, though, because my my grandma lasted a few months past her estimation and my friend's dad is 15 months into his "one year to live."

[lanyn.livejournal.com]

That is lousy news to hear. I'm so sorry. I hope the family doesn't decide to keep the prognosis from him for long. He doesn't sound like the type to give up, and there may be things he wants to do/would do different if he knew.

(PS, I'm over here from following the Wyrdsmiths)

[hutch0.livejournal.com]

That's sad news. I know from experience that words only go so far; the hugs and shoulders to cry on are more important. My best wishes to you all from this side of the Pond.

[xochiquetzl]

Aw, man. That fuckin' sucks. I'm so sorry to hear it. {{{{hugs}}}}

And I'm glad you're enjoying Torchwood. You could certainly do with pleasant distraction at this point.

[tacithydra.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry. You will all be in my thoughts.

[kellymccullough.livejournal.com]

That really sucks, Lyda. I'm very sorry. Give Shawn a hug from us when you see her.