Zane's dad fell and broke his hip yesterday (because finding out you have cancer again means you absolutely have to climb a ladder to hang chains for your boat in the garage even though you can't even walk without a walker, but I digress). They looked at it today to see if they can do surgery tomorrow and found that the cancer has spread to his lungs. They are doing hip surgery tomorrow because otherwise he will be bedridden, but they said with his current physical state (he's under 100 lbs) and age and other factors there is a chance he won't even wake up from the surgery.
Obviously, Zane has to go up there. I want to go with him, but my class is supposed to start tomorrow night. The offices are closed today, so I can't get in touch with anyone. I only have one staff person cell, and he's not answering.
Would you go and just call tomorrow and say "Hey, my class is going to have to be cancelled this week" or would you stay? I want to be there for Zane, and I know it will mean a lot to both his parents to have Ethan there, but I don't know what the university will say about cancelling the first two classes.
BTW, found out yesterday my grandmother has breast cancer. It's a fun time to be us. I know you're all jealous.

Re: WWRED?
I'd go. Can you schedule make-up classes so the students don't completely miss two days?
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I'm so sorry. I'd cancel classes. If it were just surgery, I'd try to wait until the weekend, but this is worse than that. If there's anyone who could go in and hand out the syllabi and explain that you'll be making changes later in the semester to cover the missed material (or however you will handle the missed classes), that would be ideal. Otherwise, I just think you start fresh next week.
T&P to your whole family.
I'm so sorry Buddha.
I would go and deal with the class later. But, would it be possible for you to leave a little after Zane? Go to your first class and get them all set up for your absence later in the week?
Husbands should be like Kleenex: Soft, strong, and disposable.
For less then ten cents a day, you can feed a hungry child.
Oh honey. I'm so sorry.
I would definitely cancel classes. They will understand.
we all fall down sometimes
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How far away is the surgery from the university? Is there some way to teach and then drive over to the hospital? Do you have some sort of ability to email all students to inform them of the cancellation / reading assignment?
You mentioned that having Ethan there would be meaningful. There's no way I'd bring a toddler into that situation. At best, everyone is going to be worried and sad. At worst, everyone will be grieving and...sad. What happens if you get sad news, are trying to process, and Ethan is screaming for vanilla wafers?
University is here. Surgery is six hours away. I have no intention of taking
Ethan to the hospital for the surgery (I'm not an idiot). I'm talking about taking him there to potentially say goodbye to a grandfather and then waiting with him at the house during the surgery so that whatever happens I can be there to support my husband after and not be six hours away from him if he needs me.
The first thing I would do is call the HBIC (head biitch in charge) and ask for a do over.
Assuming you have contact information for your students, I would email them and explain you have a family emergency and will have to cancel class, and give them an assignment.
If you don't have contact info, I would do as others have suggested and send someone over with the syllabus and an assignment.
Either way, cancel class and do what you need to do. It's probably the easiest time of the semester to cancel classes, so I wouldn't even worry about it.
11/11/11 = 5 years. Woah!
I managed to get in touch with the other web professor, so he's going to hand out my syllabus for me, and I emailed the Chair. I guess that's all I can do.
Thanks for talking me off a ledge, guys. Sorry I'm so fun lately.
Perfect.
Keep us updated.
Yeah, and I hardly think Buddha's going to have Ethan, like, running around the recovery room or up in the surgical observation room. I trust she'll do what's appropriate.
Good luck, Buddha.
Husbands should be like Kleenex: Soft, strong, and disposable.
Good call buddha. This is dumb. My child was hauled daily to the hospital while we were losing my dad. She was a huge light in a very dark time and a good distraction. When I needed to leave I could say "ok gotta change a diaper" when everyone needed a laugh she was good.
Grief needs toddlers.
When my uncle died suddenly, his grandson was only about 6 months old and was such a joy at the funeral. No, not all toddlers/babies are great to have in sad situations, but when it's immediate family, I don't think it's ever a bad call. Like Lanie said, it's also a great escape hatch, whether it's the parent taking the baby to change a diaper when they need a break, or someone else having a "reason" to step away (take the baby for a walk down the hall, etc).
Husbands should be like Kleenex: Soft, strong, and disposable.
First of all, I'm so sorry Buddah. I think you made the best choice.
When I am in hard situations, toddlers/babies and children are helpful. They remind you of what is important and distract when you need it. They also care.
I bet her FUPA's name is Shane, like the gunslinger/drifter of literature.--HappyTummy