"Nope..."
Poot...
... but it's getting closer.
Things with my sister seem to change day by day. I had posted that she was hospitalized with pleurisy that was headed towards becoming pneumonia...
My Mom, whom I write about so often on here, contracted pulmonary fibrosis and died only a few months later.
My sister's greatest fear is that she would come down with it. While she was hospitalized, I was talking to her doctor... he was the one who told me about treating her for pleurisy and pneumonia. I made the passing comment to the doctor that her greatest fear was that she would be diagnosed with it, and he looked at me and said, 'she does have pulmonary fibrosis...'
I had this bit of information running through my head as I headed toward her hospital room... and when entering, my other sister told me, 'we just got the best news... Sister Shoes1 does NOT have pulmonary fibrosis!!!' Their source of information was another doctor from the same clinic, but who would not have access to the same information as her primary care physician would have. So, the first question that I thought of was, 'do I tell them what the primary care doctor just told me?' The answer to that question was, 'no.' I would just keep it to myself... I'm of the opinion that one's state of mind goes a long way towards how they handle their illness.
I will confess to knowing nothing about medicine although I have played doctor a time or two...
Anyway... I decided to share this information with another brother, and then last night we shared what we knew with the other sister... So everyone but my oldest sister is in the loop.
She is having to take prednisone in order to breathe efficiently. This isn't good. I guess the good news is that the strain she has doesn't seem to be as aggressive as the one my Mother contracted. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 5 years... Mom lived almost nine months... Anyway, we know what we have before us now...
We just don't know a time frame... and as we all know, Life goes on...
On a different note...
How do you like my newest addition to my cowboy boot collection? I'm still searching for that elusive red pair, but I think I am closer to having them... I found some outrageous boot bracelets that I really wanted, but NOT for $250 EACH?!?!?!?!?!
Yet, on another different note...
He was on The Today Show this morning... and I was blown away... I had no idea...
... anyhoo...
~shoes~
The boots are sexy, "shoes," but not as sexy as you, dear. I am sorry to hear about your sister. I lost two siblings when they were 43 and 50 very suddenly--within only a few days notice. I'm not sure if knowing longer would have helped or not. I just know that there was no doubt that they were loved and they loved me and they had influenced who I was and live on forever. I am certain your sister feels that way, sweets. We're here for you. Oh, and Friday--I promise to give it to you in about 7 hours?
ReplyDeleteThe cowboy boots are the greatest. I have some red ones but I don't think they'd fit you but they are really cool and you'd wish they would fit you.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Shoes on not telling your sister. I mean what would it accomplish except to totally freak her out, and you really never know what will be, especially the way doctors and hospitals make mistakes left and right. If it were my sister, I would totally go with everything is fine because if she can't do anything to change things, why crush her. Honesty is not a virtue in these circumstances.
Love the Boots. Sorry the news isn't better. The song rocked.
ReplyDeleteShoes, I was shocked that your sister doesn't know. It's her body, it's her life, and it's totally unfair for her siblings to be withholdidng information (unless, of course, you have her health care power of attorney and she is unable make her own decisions).
ReplyDeleteThe doctors cannot be discussing her medical condition with you unless she approves or you have the healthcare POA. Either way, she has a right to know about her health so SHE can make the decisions SHE wants. Tell her the truth and be there to help her deal with it IF she wants you to.
love the boots! so fun.
ReplyDeleteand as for everything else... no words... always thinking of ya...
Shoes...so glad to know your sister doesn't have pulmonary fibrosis (how scary). You are still in my thoughts and prayers!! Love the boots and the video ~ any type of "live" music is right up my alley. Hope you have a great Friday and a restful weekend. Much love ~ alice
ReplyDeleteRE: "I'm of the opinion that one's state of mind goes a long way towards how they handle their illness."
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you.
Glad you decided to treat yourself during this stressful time. So often when looking after a loved one we often neglect to take of ourselves on a mental and emotional level.
No worries, I'm sure there is a special pair of red boots with your name on it and when the time is right you'll find them.
P.S. Hugh Laurie recently won musician of the year of the GQ Awards in the UK!
RE: "I'm of the opinion that one's state of mind goes a long way towards how they handle their illness."
ReplyDeleteYep - I'm in agreement with that too. However, it may not be long before she realises for herself and asks the question.
I like the new boots. I wish I could see them for real (and the wearer) ;-)
RE: "I'm of the opinion that one's state of mind goes a long way towards how they handle their illness."
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
I do worry about you... shouldering the emotional turmoil can wear one out.
And I love how you and your siblings are taking care of one another.
The boots? You know what I wanna see...
I agree if your sister knew the illness she would probably not handle it as well. Hugh Laurie is always showing peaks of his talent on House.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your sister's illness and the fate of your mother. I agree with you, as well. There's something to be said about letting the patient believe what she wants and/or accept diagnostic impressions from the doctor of her choosing. At least for now while she's trying to recover from her current episode. How difficult this must be for her.
ReplyDeleteLike those snazzy boots. Mine have green uppers with embroidered designs, too. I can keep my eyes open for red - what size?
@ Catch Her... Like you, I am shocked. I just got off the phone with my brother, who in turn just finished speaking with her doctor. He informed us that she has known about having pulmonary fibrosis since the initial diagnosis. Therefore, she knew.
ReplyDeleteHe also shared this with us. After not going into the hospital this last time, after he made arrangements to have her admitted, he said he was very concerned about her acting 'Against Medical Advice' (AMA)... He said he told her that he wanted her permission to discuss her future issues with her family (i.e., brothers and sisters) and that she consented.
Is she in denial about her illness? I can't answer that... I'm a teacher, not a medical professional. As for POA or Guardianship, we are aware of that. We are aware of it being her Life and that she can make whatever decisions she wants to make.
What screws us over is that we can't trust her... hmmm... that's harsh... we can't rely on her to tell us the truth. This seems to be a Life Long issue with her.
My brother, my sister, and I do not involve ourselves in her immediate medical care. She gets to have the conversations she wants to have with her physicians, and gets to make her own decisions.
Our concern arises when she says she wants to get better and get back to work, but then refuses to be admitted to this hospital, stops taking medication that the physicians have ordered, or starts re-taking old medication (that her physicians have told her to stop taking) because she thinks it will help her.
Don't think... or don't imply... that we are acting against her best interests... her best wishes.
The brother I mentioned above is on the verge of walking away from this chaos. The other sister has returned home to Kansas City...
This woman has no family, other than three of us... we are her support system.
I would love for someone else to come in and manage this... I am spent... I am exhausted.
But I do so because she is my sister and she needs me...
~shoes~
Sorry, Shoes, I didn't mean to offend you, but your sister is an adult. You're not going to be able to change her at this point in her life and if bad decisions are what she wants, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteHaving been near many people who have faced serious medical decisions, I've seen first hand when the family gets too involved. It becomes more and more confusing to the patient as he/she tries to weigh the doctor's advice, the family's wishes, and what he/she really wants. You may want her to live and do everything possible to do so; she may be tired of fighting things.
The best thing you and your siblings can do is just be there and not be making her decisions or giving her advice unless she asks for it. Don't be angry if she doesn't follow it or if you don't think it's the right decision. It's not your choice to make. Just simply hold her hand.
Nice boots Pardner! Boot bracelets? Dunno what those are but I'll look them up. Maybe I can make one :)...with turquoise on it :0
ReplyDeleteHugh Laurie...multi talent. I knew he could sing...did so in an episode once, but I had no idea he played the guitar or sang blues! NICE!
@ Catch Her... I know I came across bitchy... Im so sorry... I can't explain how overwhelmed I am by all of this. Unlike what she did, I am trying SO hard to be and do the right thing...
ReplyDeleteI know all too well that you experienced all of this kind of stuff recently.
I wish I got better support from the brother and sister... Ann lives in KCMO... John is married... and by being divorced, it just seems to fall on me...
I wish she would just be honest with me... with us... all we can do is what she asks of us.
And I so want to do the right thing...
Please accept my apologies for sounding jerky...
That's not who I am...
~shoes~
@ Autumn... Thank you... I just hate that it's all starting to get to me. It's like I said to 'Catch Her...,' I'm just trying so hard to do the right thing...
ReplyDeleteMe? Sexy?? Thank you... you are kind... I'm feeling very old and worn out right about now...
@ Linda... that was my intent... just to let her think whatever it was she was thinking, and of course, to not interfere in the medical care/attention... As per a response I left earlier, the doctor says he has told her. Maybe she is in denial, and I am not going to rattle her cage... you know?
I've become very fond of cowboy boots...
Giddyup...
@ Robin... the news is what it is... as much as I don't like that saying...
@ Magnolia... yes they are... wait until I start buying and posting the hats... :oD
@ Alice... thank you for your kind words. And the truth is that she does have pulmonary fibrosis... I'm just out of the loop on how aggressive it is... I do enjoy live music. I hope you have a great weekend as well!!
@ Cocaine Princess...I am not taking care of myself emotionally... But RED boots would be the bees knees, I'm thinking!!
I had heard that he had won some award there in the UK... He is really talented!!!
Thank you for your kind words... :o)
@ Gobbles... M'kay... Right now, the sibling tending seems to be one-sided... CALGON!!!
@ Bathwater... Yes, he is SO good... so talented!!!
@ Yogurt... thank you. Again, the intent of my statement was meant to not stress or burden her. Catch Her did raise some very pertinent and relevant points... issues that maybe I hadn't thought out or about.
I'm thinking a size 12, if you are ever shopping... I would love to know what you find. :o)
@ Annie, I found some COOL Indian Bead-like boot bracelets on this one web site... and was all geared up to order a set until I saw the price... YIKES!!!!! Do you guys have a big weekend planned???
~shoes~
I don't know what to say. I'm sorry that you're having to deal with all this. I know it can't be easy and that your heart must be hurting all the time.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't ever the right words, I know that.
So I won't even try.
Sending good thoughts.
I think you made the right decision by not telling your sister !
ReplyDeleteCool boots by the way !
So sorry about what you are going through with your sister! I wish I had a magic wand to hand over to you :0)
ReplyDeleteOn another note...nice boots! Woot woot!
Take care xo
I am not anoymous, but Sasscat, Cyndi, or whatever I am called, but I cannot figure out why it would not post me as a google member blogger, but oh well. And So And , I am. hahahaha! I really wanted to be So And So, HEEHEE!
ReplyDeleteProfessor Red Shoes--
ReplyDeleteIt is a good feeling when someone forgives u and also, when we are humbled to ask for forgiveness. So I am joyful that u and ur sister were able to do that. Certainly, I will read updates on ur sister's health from ur blog and whatever happens that both u and she ate comforted.
The boots are really nice. I hope u find that red pair on ur visit to ur Spiritual Place in October. And October is not too far off. Definitely worth looking forward too.
Well, on this day especially in remembrance of those who lost their lives, my hope is that we luv each other and are forgiving of any who wronged us or we wronged. Time is short and we do not know when God will call us home.
StormyDawn
PS anonymous if u uncheck the box when u sign into Google then I think that will allow ur name to show. Bamatrav was thoughtful enough to help me with that suggestion and it worked for me.
amazing. Hugh has really flourished and now this! Love the boots.
ReplyDeleteHey Mister... You WILL do the right thing, because that is what people like us do. Even if it does make you feel screwed without as much as a "Thank you" in the end. Ok... Thinking this may not be the best analogy! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your Sis. I just found out recently that my mom DID know about her illness maybe 2 years before she let us in on it. I cannot look back and recall all the decisions she made, if they were helpful or not helpful. Since she died from Cirrhosis, rather than cancer (which was her initial illness), I'm guessing she was privately medicating in ways we weren't really understanding.
The boots, however, ROCK! I have been on a search for the perfect red shoes for about a year. Every girl needs a pair wildly inappropriate red shoes, right? I hope you find your red boots soon!
Kimber