I recently sent out an email to some IRL friends with the subject line, “because I didn’t have quite enough on my plate.”
My pastor wrote back that she hoped I’d be able to feel not so much that my plate was full, but that my cup runneth over.
My Mom remains in the hospital. She is not going to get better. At least not on this planet. She is no longer eating, and her kidneys are failing. It may be hours, it may be days. I don’t think weeks are likely, but who knows?
I am attempting to help plan a funeral from 500 miles away. My crazy drug addict brother telephones regularly to curse at me and blame me for anything he can think of — the fact that my mother won’t eat, is in pain — whatever doesn’t sit well with him is somehow my fault. He routinely makes threats against me and my family. Yes, I have been in touch with law enforcement.
On Friday I took Biscuit to the vet. He’d lost a little weight, and his appetite wasn’t good, but mostly, I just had a feeling something wasn’t quite right with him. On Saturday, I learned that he was suffering from advanced diabetes, with dangerously high blood sugar levels. He was admitted to the emergency animal hospital where they would regulate his blood sugar, then send him home, after teaching us to give him twice daily insulin injections. They said he’d be there 24-48 hours.
Three days and over three thousand dollars later, Biscuit’s blood sugar is still as dangerously high. The decisions we must make regarding him are not unlike the decisions we had to make regarding my mother. What, and for how long, do we treat? With my mother, we did not consider money. Very sadly, with Biscuit, we must. The expense so far has hit us very hard. We’d put that behind us quickly, if it had helped him. But it didn’t. We are waiting to hear from his regular vet now, just what might be possible, or reasonable.
I do continue to struggle with WTF Disease/lyme. I am much improved; and still somewhat disabled by it. I remain in treatment, with monthly tests and doctor visits.
A couple of people have said that things can’t get worse. Oh, yes they can. I never think that, because I know very well there are worse things that could happen. Still, this is plenty bad. In many ways, my cup runneth over, it’s true. But it’s also true that right now, my plate is full.
I don’t see how you could possibly look past the plate to even contemplate the cup right now. Much love to you, the Biscuit, and your whole family.
Oh Susie. God, I wish we lived in the same town so I could make you dinner and sit with you. I’m so sorry that all of this is happening right now and I don’t have even one answer. I don’t know why things like this happens to people, I don’t think anyone does. I do know that there is always something good in everything and what that is may not be revealed for a long time but if you stay strong and as positive as possible, it will.
Love and support are coming to you from me. XOXO
That’s not a plate, love — that’s a big ol’ full platter you have there.
Much love and comfort to you and your family in the days, weeks ahead. I’m thinking of you all and praying.
((Hugs))
Love and Prayers.
After all this is over, we are going to Longwood Gardens for a nice lunch – and then perhaps we should hop on a plane to Cancun.
Uhh, this may just be logistics and all but your plate can be overflowing at the same time your cup runneth over.
And the floor can get pretty damn fucking messy.
Thinking of you and praying for you and your family – and, of course, Biscuit.
Take care.
Cup, plate, pfffffft! If I were you, I’d wanna know where the shot glass is.
I agree w/Kathryn. I wish I lived close enough to be of help! I’m hoping for peace for you and your family as you go through these trials.
Oh, no – not Biscuit, too! It’s hard enough dealing with your mom’s decline (and your drug addicted brother) without having your beloved dog dying, too. I’m so sorry, Susie.
{{HUGS}}
You continue to be in my prayers.
I don’t know why God allows some people to suffer so much.
Grace = getting the good that you don’t deserve
Mercy = not getting the bad that you DO deserve
I’ve been walking with a friend through a really tough month and while she has become a walking, talking testimony during this experience, it has still been traumatic and awful, with long-lasting ramifications.
I’m close enough to help. And you know I will.
Susie, On Myface, Twitter or blogging, I wish I could bundle all my heartfelt wishes and send them directly to you. Much love and prayers from me.
Oh, Susie. There are no words. Thinking of you, your mom, Jif, LG, and the VBD.
Just sending lots of love and hugs.
Just holding good thoughts and wishing you peace.
Your heart must be so hurty. Thinking of you and your entire family.
Thank you, everyone, for your kindness. I hang out with the best people. She, the next sound you hear will be me, slipping in the mess made by the overloaded plate and the running over cup, and breaking my hip! haaa
Some good news: the VBD is home tonight. To save money — and, IMO, to MAKE SOME DAMNED SENSE — Biscuit will sleep and get his nighttime injections at home, then spend the day at the vet’s, to have blood sugar monitored. Hopefully, we can determine a therapeutic insulin dosage this way. So far, he’s still off the charts. This plan should work unless/until we have to leave for NC again, to either stay with or attend services for, my Mom. We’ll cross that bridge in the next few days.
Thanks again, everyone. Your kindness means more than you know.
Oh gosh I am so sorry to hear that Biscuit is not doing well and that your mom is not responding well. Hard times are hard. I am just sending all of my positive thoughts your way.
Oh, Susie, I am sorry – I don’t know which to commiserate with you about first/more: Mom or Biscuit. It should be Mom, but sometimes with humans, it goes a touch easier than with animals, especially if they can understand what’s happening (which I probably shouldn’t assume your Mom can), so I’m going to go with Biscuit…… Poor Biscuit! And I am sorry about your Mom, too.
Prayers for you and your family in all your full plate situations.
Hey Sister Susie,
I am so sorry to hear that things are in such a mess for you. You are a very strong woman to be coping with all of this. You will be an even stronger one when days seem brighter.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as is your whole gang.
Hugs
I wish there was someway I could help. I’d gladly take Biscuit and give him his injections (by that I mean, I’d have my husband give him injections while I loved on Biscuit because I’m afraid of needles and I couldn’t even do the subcu fluids for my dying cat by myself) should you have to go to NC.
You’re such an incredibly strong woman, but I hope your load gets lighter instead of heavier very soon.
Your brother sounds like a tool.
Ugh, Susie. I’m so sorry. I wish there was something tangible I could do to help you. Alas, I am too far away.
Give Biscuit lots of pats and tummy rubs and ear scratches for me.
I will be thinking of and praying for you.
How is Very Good Dog Biscuit doing?
my cats go for their 14 year birthday check-up this week
There was a visitor in our house yesterday, and all cats and child behaved very well with each other.