Today it's been six months since my brother died. His cat has warmed up to me considerably, and is now flopped against me, purring. I have accomplished some important stuff in that time, mostly taking care of MU's estate. I have been coming back to Andover to stay with mom for a couple of days almost every week. This has started taking a toll ( Read more... )

In the beginning of May of this year, my brother was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in his stomach.  Scans showed a tumor near his small intestine, small enough that it still be in early in its development.  I spent almost all of that month at home in Andover with him and my mom, taking him to the hospital, setting up radiation and chemo therapy, ( Read more... )

I have taken this week off from work, in the hopes of clearing my head and getting a better handle on managing my life in light of the problems with my parents' health.  I seem to need some help, too ( Read more... )

gigi_tastic, a very sweet young woman I have come to know over the internet, has just this day lost her mother for ever.  As all of us can imagine, and some us know first hand, she's devastated.  To make it even worse, she doesn't have a lot of local support from family or friends in this tragic time.  Any of you who have space in your life for a charming ( Read more... )