Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Just Need To Get It Out
I usually lurk here, but my family is going through some really tough times and I just need to get it off my chest. We are all very close, and with everything going on, it has taken a toll on all of us.
My grandfather has been in failing health for a while now. He is 86 and has lived an amazing life. Last month my grandmother noticed a lesion on his back. The doctor did a biopsy and found colon cancer cells. Turns out his cancer started in his small intestine which is very rare. It has rapidly progressed and his PET scan this week revealed it has metastasized to his lungs and throat. Not to mention more spots have popped up on his back. Because he is 86 and hasn't been in real great health, they aren't treating anything. We are just trying to make him as comfortable as possible, but it still breaks my heart.
Then, last Friday, we found out that my husband's father has a partial blockage. They don't know where it is yet or how severe, but the man has already had a triple bypass and has never really taken care of himself. We're trying to stay positive, but this can't be real good. My FIL gets on everyone's nerves, especially my husband's, but we all still love him. He needs to lose about 50 lbs., but is way too lazy. We've tried to talk to him and help him to start treating his body better, but it never seems to stick. Maybe this will help to change his mind.
Finally, Wednesday morning we found out a friend of ours was killed in a car wreck Tuesday night. I know his wife better than I did him, and I feel awful for their family. They have two little boys who are now without a father. I know we have a great group of friends who will be there to support her, but I cannot even imagine what she is going through right now. He went through hell to beat his cancer last year and then this happens. It makes me so angry and sad that these things happen to wonderful people. I feel so helpless, but I know all I can do is to be there to support her and her boys.
Sorry to be such a downer and that this turned out to be so long. I think my mind is kind of jumbled right now and I just needed to get all of this out.
Thanks for listening!
Re: Just Need To Get It Out
Bad things seem to cluster around themselves, don't they? It's okay to 'woe as me' for a bit, but try to remember the good and positive around you as well.
As for your FIL, my FIL has two blocked arteries (70% and 80%) that he is too high risk to have operated on. He got that news about 3 yrs ago. Yes, his energy has diminished over the last few years, but he still enjoys everyday with his family. We've been archiving a lot with him and recording his memories (video, comments in photo albums, scanning war memoribilia).
So sorry you're going through so much.
I like what another PP has said about remembering the good stuff, but it's hard, I know. There are some people who say that it's the best time to start a gratitude journal, when things are rough, 'cause it helps them remember the good, but I think there are some personalities who are better suited to the idea of a gratitude journal than others - only you can say which camp you belong to.
Thank you so much for the kind words and reminders of good things. It is hard to think about good things when there are so many bad things happening. I am very thankful for what I do have and I always try and remember that.
I appreciate all your words of support. I do feel better.
Have a great weekend everyone!