Headed back to Oregon

[Valerie]

As some of you know 2011 was a rough year for my family, lost some beloved pets, had a brother in law committ suicide, and also have been dealing with my Dads end of life care due to liver disease.

I have been down in Salem since early November helping with Dads care, working 1/2 days and staying with Dad so he is able to stay at home until he passes. Hospice has been so great in their help, I know we could not do all of this without their guidance. For anyone that works for Hospice, you have my greatest appreciation, any nursing job is hard and you are all angels in my book. I just took a week off and came home to Olympia to get some more lab tests done for me, I finally got to see a Kidney specialist in early December and he thinks I have an autoimmune disease that is attacking my kidneys, so once my Dad passes, and I get back to Olympia permanently I have a kidney biopsy to look forward to.

I know that God does not give us more than we can handle, but this is a lot to deal with, so any extra thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated. I don't mean to sound like I am having a pity party, because I know everyone has problems in life, but I was so hoping for a much better 2012.

I am thankful for my work letting me work from another office location so I can continue to help with work projects and also help with my Dad's care. Tommorrow is my Dad's 77 birthday, but I know deep down he wishes this was all over, he misses my Mom terribly and it is just so hard to watch him wither away from liver disease. To anyone who has lost someone from liver disease, I am sorry, watching it first hand is devastating, but the family that is around in Salem are doing our best to support each other. Unfortunately one of my out of state brothers is feeling the need to cause a lot of heartache and grief, believing he is not going to get his fair share when my Dad passes....which sickens me, because my parents have a will already and it is like my brother just cannot agree to what my Dads last wishes are.

Anyway, enough of that, I don't mean to be sucha downer.....trying to summon up the courage I know is deep down so I can prepare myself for seeing Dad after me being gone a week.

Thank you all for letting me vent and I hope everyone has a happy, healthy 2012. Can I just say how much I miss my minis right now?......no minis, no dog, ......oyyyyy.....but again, I will get through this and be stronger on the other side.

My brightest spot was having Kim do a painting of one of my sisters dogs........it was awesome!

Valerie

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

Oh Valerie the last few years have been so hard on your family. I am so sorry. I know that you love them all. Wish I could help.

 

[susanne]

Valerie, you will most definitely be in my thoughts! Please keep us up-to-date on your biopsy.

I'll second your shout out to all hospice workers. My mom died last spring, and because of home hospice care, she was able to spend her last days surrounded by her children, grandchildren, pets and grandpets, able to view the colors as spring unfolded itself outside her window.

I'm so glad you're able to spend this time with your dad.

 

[Lizzie]

Sending good thoughts, prayers and gentle hugs, to you and the family.

Lizzie

 

[REO]

Oh Valerie, I can't even imagine all the sorrows and great stress you've been through and all the ones yet to come. You are in my thoughts and prayers too.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

 

[Minxiesmom]

I am so sorry for what you are going through. If you need a little mini fix, might I suggest you go over to Scott Creek Miniatures in Salem. Plenty of horses and babies to hug on there! Joanne has a big shoulder and an even bigger heart that I think you might find comforting at this time. The farm is just minutes south of town and very easy to find.

 

[Genie]

It is good that you can spend this time with your Dad and keep him at home.

You sure have a lot on your plate and sometimes it just seems like some famlies just get TOO much, maybe more than their share.

I hope that things unfold in the best way possible for everyone in your family in 2012.

 

[Tammy Breckenridge]

Im so sorry all of this is happening to you. But as a person who also has an autoimmune disease that distroyed my kidneys I beg you to get the biopsy done asap! I ignored my doctors warnings and Im now on dialysis.

Praying for you!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

O my, you certainly have a lot to bear right now and worry you. Take care of yourself.