Sold our bicycles yesterday evening...

Took me longer to post the ad on Craigslist than it did to sell both bikes!  The phone was ringing within SECONDS of posting the ad (I think we didn't ask anywhere near enough for them, but my heart went to mush when I saw the college age kids that bought them for their regular transportation to get to work because they cannot afford cars or fuel in this f****** up economy...(makes me SO angry!)   William wants to buy a couple of folding bicycles to save on space (in the RV)....there ARE some really nice ones out there....I'm a bit skeptical, but definitely game....and my bike was difficult to ride.  William has had his Schwinn since the early 1970's and got a LOT of use out of it....and as you can see, it still looks (and rides) great.  Mine was a "whim" purchase a few years ago, but never "knocked my socks off"...and due to fairly recent health issues, I haven't ridden it much anyway (but, I WANT to).  Anyway...the bikes went to good homes for a song and we're both happy about it.  I'll post pictures of the new bikes when we get them (SOON).  
Meanwhile, Dad is still at home (thank God!)....and thank you all again for your kind thoughts, prayers and words.  I'll fill you in more, soon enough. - Mary Ann

Prayers have been answered. Dad is in his own bed.

Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts everyone.  Dad is resting at home with Lorraine (my wonderful stepmother) willingly and lovingly at his beck and call (and battling her own cancer, but in much better condition than Dad...they met a few years ago in a cancer treatment waiting room, he is 81, she's79...and he loves that she sincerely laughs at his corny jokes...believe me, they're not that easy to laugh at after the 150th time you hear them...hahaha!...on the other hand, they're so corny, you just can't help but laugh,...and the doctors and nurses love him!).  We (all of us "kids") call her Dad's "Angel".
He is very weak and on more morphine and other things, but in fairly good spirits and of course happy to be in his own bed.  We were all quite surprised, since we weren't supposed to hear any decisions until sometime Monday....but, if  we stop and think about it...maybe it's not such a surprise, but rather a kind gesture on the part of his doctors?....time will tell.

Still hoping for more time (along with my three siblings),
Mary Ann

P.S. - There are a couple of pics of Dad and Lorraine on my FB page...I don't have the patience to transfer them here right now.

Update: More readable? About my Dad and this blog...

To those of you who posted kind words regarding my Dad, and to those of you who read about it and thought kind thoughts without posting, THANK YOU straight from my heart!......I do that all the time (not post comments), even when I know I should say something but just can't bring myself to, because sometimes reading about the imminent or recent death or dire illness of someone else's loved one often brings thoughts of our own mortality and that of those we love and care for, too close to the surface for our own comfort...that's ok...I understand that all too well.  We all must deal with illness and death at various times during our lifetimes, and on top of that, more often than not, we are juggling all of the neccessary things and events of daily living at the same time.

What a great attitude! :-)

In a previous post, I said that I would share this note from my Dad with you.
Here it is...


Note from Dad - June 16, 2011:

I'm back from Dr. Worden's, and the news is not too good. The cancer has spread to a number of areas including both of my lungs and to my liver -- but I am feeling no pain except what I had already been experiencing in my right arm and in my two legs. I am coping with those pains by using Morphine and Norco, and I am enjoying life on a daily basis.

The blood work shows that my liver and other organs are working as normal, and the cancer that shows up in my lungs and in my liver is quite small. There is a lot more good liver than bad, and the portion of lungs that is affected is still small.

This news just makes me want to do more fun things faster -- like go to the casino more frequently, take an ocean cruise, get the book selling faster, and finish writing my sentence-diagramming book. I want to have everything set right for Lorraine so that she won't be left with a lot of unfinished projects. I am still very positive about everything, and I want to enjoy life with even more zest.

Instead of 115 years, I might have to back down to 113.

I'm tired and am going to take a nap right now.

Love Ya,

DAD

Dad in hospital, gathering at Mom's house, Theresa's arrival...

Hi everbody, this is just sort of an update, things have been kind of crazy. My sister Theresa's trip here from Ireland (where she lives) was delayed by the volcano, Mom's surgery went well, then Dad suffered an unexpected disaster. I'll throw some pics up in a few blogs to sort of "catch up", then I'll try to get busy posting more photos from our first RV trip to and from Texas. Still poking my head in your "doors" whenever I can to read your blogs, but, I'll try to get back to commenting soon. Thanks for your patience.
- Mary Ann :-)

Lorraine (Dad's wonderful girlfriend who also has cancer)
feeding Dad 2 days before his thigh surgery:


From my Facebook updates (newsfeed):
April 24 at 8:00am
Hanging out with all my siblings tonight :-)

April 24 at 9:09am
Just found out Dad rushed to the hospital. Update later...



Sun at 8:51am
It doesn't look good. Spiral fracture of Dad's right femur, while he was simply sitting on his bed after taking his shoes off...he heard *POP*POP*POP*!, then EXTREME PAIN. His bones are about as strong as a cigarette ash. Doing "embollism" today to keep him from bleeding to death, then surgery tomorrow. We're hoping he... doesn't have to lose his leg (at top of thigh). I HATE CANCER!!!

Mon at 11:19am
Worried about Dad, waiting for word. He is still in the 1st of 2 complicated surgeries. Hoping he won't have to lose his leg (or worse). It started at 8 am and he is still in the 1st surgery. Dad, Mom's sugery, & niece Elizabeth all in a week and a half. Sheesh!

Mon at 12:47pm
Dad now in 2nd surgery, they took him in right after embolisation procedure. Expected to finish sometime after 4pm. Using computer here in waiting room, no signal for cell phones. (UPDATE sent by Theresa.)

Tuesday at 8:17am
WHEW! Dad's surgery went well, they put his leg back together with a rod, pins, etc. (Thank God they didn't have to "take" it.) He will be on heavy pain killers for a couple of days, so we'll see how things go.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Marvels of modern medicine! Dad has already been up sitting in a chair, he's eating and is in good spirits. He doesn't like the Morphine, so switched to Norco. Looks like he may have developed pneumonia though. They're running tests, then maybe antibiotics. Mom is doing much better too, was out shopping with Theresa today already! :-)

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Dad has been moved to what is supposed to be a physical therapy-rehab center for a few weeks, but it seems more like a convalescent home (old folks home) than a rehab center (MEDICARE SUCKS!), and he developed pneumonia (while in the hospital), so we're worried and praying that he can overcome it, and get on with his physical therapy. He can't walk yet, his house is full of stairs, and his bathroom is upstairs (across from bedroom), so he HAS to learn to at least walk with a "walker" first, or else he'll be "stuck" in his bedroom. He really wants to go home NOW.

Theresa had to go back to Ireland on Friday :-( , but she'll try to come back again in October.

More updates to come...