So, gonna be a good, sometimes great, week this week!
Why, juvat?
Well, Beans, quite a few reasons actually.
First, Little J has a meeting he has to be physically present for late next week in Sodom/Gomorrah on the Potomac. He managed to preload 5 days in Texas on the leading edge. We pick him up in Austin on Friday. That's going to make a lot of folks happy. We haven't seen him since late July.
We're going to turn that into a bit of a family reunion. The three factions will meet up in College Station the following week. Grandson #1 is due to make his appearance that next Friday, so Little J will probably not be around, but we can still have fun.
And...
If there's some work to be done around MBD and The Rev's domicile, well...It'll be nice to have another strong back to share the load.
So...We've got that going for us.
Anything else happening in your section of the Lone Star State, juvat?
Well, Beans, probably while you're reading this, I'll be standing in front of a Judge.
Oh, NO! What'd did you do now?
I dint do Nuttin!
Isn't that what you're supposed to say?
Nah, Beans, my sister's Intestate hearing is scheduled at 1100 TxDT. I have no real idea what going to happen. IMHO, and with a non-judicially trained brain, this should be about a 30 second deal. Sign some papers to give me access to her assets, if any (big IF), so I can pay bills and distribute any remainder to her siblings.
 |
| Her living room/dining room exactly as it was 4 months ago. |
It's taken nearly 4 months to get to this point. And I think the thing that actually got things rolling was me asking our lawyer what would happen if I said I didn't want to take on the responsibility. All of a sudden documents appeared for signing and this hearing got put on the schedule.
It better be a quick meeting. As an hour after that meeting, Mrs J and I have an appointment with her oncologist to discuss and start her chemo treatments.
Yeah, that prognosis came from outside of Pluto and rocked my world pretty damn hard. It's a colo/rectal squamous cell cancer in her colon. According to the surgeon who discovered it during her colonoscopy last Tuesday the probability of a successful outcome is fairly high especially if treated early. We had told him we were VERY flexible time-wise. He said it could take a couple of weeks
Here's why it's "good" news (ok maybe "less bad"), that meeting with her surgeon was Thursday, the procedure appointment was made Friday and will occur mid-day today. Fastest "couple weeks" I've lived through.
And...No Lord, I'm not complaining. Thank you!
She's handling it (outwardly anyway), pretty well. I've spent a bit more time out in the Horse Barn talking to them than usual lately. I think the Big Guy can hear me better from there since he's included in the conversation.
We'll see what we'll see. But...That's Life!
Peace out, y'all!
Best wishes for your wife, hoping for a speedy and complete recovery, and for the legal issues to end now.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteThanks, Me too!
juvat
I will repeat what Anonymous said.
ReplyDeleteJiP
DeleteThanks.
juvat
Wishing you good luck with all of this!
ReplyDeleteRob,
DeleteLuck would be great. Divine intervention...even better.
Thanks.
juvat
Good news, bad news, dang. Happy for the good news, prayers up for the bad.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Mrs. J, prayers for a happy result.
Sarge,
DeleteThanks. We appreciate that.
juvat
Prayers up for Mrs. Juvat.
ReplyDeleteHoping your court case goes smoothly as you have projected. I do think the specter of having the one person that actually cares suddenly decide to "peace out" may put action into people due to fear of then just having it languish (and be even more paperwork).
THBB,
DeleteThanks for the reminder about paperwork. I had a briefcase (satchel) in my closet. When I opened it up there were a bunch of neatly filed documents and notebooks. All from my Dad. Aside from the sadness of his passing, the handling "Things" was a piece of cake. Way simpler than this debacle has been. As I've said before, if you hate your family or just want to cause them anquish, don't write a will or any other final instructions. They'll remember you forever for that.
Not in a good way.
juvat
Late start this morn, sleepless night and now the news about Mrs. J, she and your family are in the Prayer rotation juvat. Good catch by the medicos.
ReplyDeleteNylon,
DeleteThanks, Yep, we shall see.
juvat
We did the "peace out" on Dad's passing. The lawyer told us that was the best route as he left no instructions. Lost a lot of old stuff and the homestead, but we did get the pictures and other mementos. I got my loaner tools back, and a healthy understanding of what needs to happen pre-need.
ReplyDeletePraying for your family extra this week. That quick diag and start of remediation is worth more than gold. Good folks are hard to find, much less keep around.
STxAR
DeleteThanks,
Loaner tools, Got mine back last week. I feel so much better when I'm in my shop and don't have to figure out a work around for a missing tool.
juvat
Prayers for Mrs J and you.
ReplyDelete-Barry
Barry,
DeleteThanks.
juvat
Not the typically cheerful Monday post, but it will kick-start the prayer cycle. Glad it's treatable. I heard from a Nurse that in the past 20 years since my mother passed due to the big C (not the same as Mrs. J), treatments have grown leaps and bounds and what was once the worst news, is now no big deal at all. Enjoy the visit with LJ. Happy for an LJ/LJD reunion.
ReplyDeleteTuna,
DeleteYeah, I know. but...Fortunately both meetings today went well. I'm now the executor of my sisters estate and Mrs. J and the oncologist have a plan in place that actually makes sense to me. The doc did a great job of explaining the what and why of each aspect of the procedure, the symptoms as well as the downsides/risks. So, while not optimum we have a plan of attack which will be implemented shortly. She even gave us a handwritten to do list of tests/drugs/scans and other things they'll be doing. I feel quite a bit more positive about the situation than I have since the phone call letting us know about the cancer.
So, barnyard talks seem to be working. Think I'll keep them up for a time.
Prayers to the One above for you and Mrs. J first. May her treatments go well, and your lives strengthened through this time. Also, a prayer that all goes well in court today. Glad that LJ is there, or will be there, as family is really needed in times like these.
ReplyDeleteOne of my stress relievers is to go out to my shop, get the smoothing hand plane, put some wood on the bench and make shavings that can be used for fire starter. No real purpose other than the focus of doing it.
BillB,
DeleteSorry for the late reply, I had written it and think I got wrapped up going to "events" today and forgot to publish it.
Anyhow, Thanks, as I've said elsewhere, Prayers are always appreciated. Things went pretty well today all told. Both events are just getting started, but that process went well.
I think it was last week's post, that I talked about using a block plane. I didn't find it relaxing as I was somewhat concerned with screwing something up, it being my first time I've ever used one. I may have to look in to the fire starter school of relaxation generation though.
Thanks for the suggestion.
juvat
A block plane on the edge of a 1 by makes nice shavings. I like my No. 4 smoothing plane with the knob in front and a pistol grip (tote) in the back.
DeleteBillB,
DeleteSounds like the plane I bought to ease the door fitting. And I do have some 1 by scraps that might do just fine.
Thanks
juvat
Juvat, prayers up for Mrs. J., the individuals doing the chemo work, yourself and the family! Good news on little J being available to assist in the manual labor dept. plus he'll be some good support during this time. Hope his meeting in the "Swamp" is fruitful and that he'll be able to decontaminate as soon as possible after exiting.
ReplyDeleteCommunicating from a horse barn with SOMEONE who was born in a stable should result in a very clear communication channel with no interference.
Cletus
Cletus,
DeleteThanks.
Yep, while we were in the oncologist's waiting room. I got a text from MBD asking if we can install Chair Rail in MG's bedroom. Feel better already.
That last sentence...Well done Sir! Hadn't even thought of that!
juvat
Prayers up.
ReplyDeleteChemo sucks, but is a small price for the miraculous results. It is truly amazing what the docs can do these days, especially when they can start early.
While finding bad stuff is a real downer, those rare discoveries make those yucky colonoscopies well worth the effort. What they told you then still applies, "This too, shall pass."
Good luck with the estate nonsense.
JB
JB,
DeleteThe Oncologist was very upbeat described what was gonna happen, why, what the risks are,what can be done to mitigate them. Bout a 1.5 hour visit. She seemed very confident and competent, so feel better about it. Not great, but better.
"This too shall pass" Groan!!!!
juvat
First of all: BIG hugs for both you and Mrs. J!! The good news is y'all do the things to catch stuff that isn't good, especially if not caught early. I have a bunch of folks who had similar diagnoses, and those that caught it early generally do well, those who put checks off, not so much. The most important thing to remember when doing chemo is to hydrate!! Take the anti-nausia meds and push the fluids! It helps to decrease a lot of the potential side effects.
ReplyDeleteSecondly: Fingers crossed the LJ's meeting goes well. Enjoy all the family reunion time!!
Thirdly: Fingers crossed the lawyers can get the lead out so you can get this resolved.
Fourth: Joining in the prayers going on in the stable.
Suz
Suz,
DeleteThanks for confirming many of the things the Doc said. She didn't mention hydration, but I can take care of that.
The judge came through, the whole process was about 15 minutes long, with another 10 getting the required letters printed. I'll be hitting the phones tomorrow to see if we can get the estate settled and what it will take. (AKA who's got what and where).
Thanks
juvat
The good news is as soon as there is a diagnosis, there is a plan. But they give ya a couple of days to a couple of weeks to catch your breath and digest the news since being told ya have cancer tends to leave you feeling like the floor has fallen out from underfoot, or that the jet is in a flat spin before they share the plan with you. It gives the docs a chance to talk amongst themselves and fine tune the plan. Depending on what stage she has she might not even need chemo, surgery might be enough if it is well contained. However, if given a choice, doing the chemo is a good thing as if there is a recurrence down the road, ya don't have the regret of not having done the chemo later. And most chemo, especially for colon cancer, has far fewer side effects than chemo that was used 20, 30, 40 years ago.
DeleteAnd yes, everyone, even guys, as was mentioned, are a bit vain about their looks, and hair, or lack thereof is a huge part of that. But there are very nice warm (and silly) hats and scarves as well as wigs out there. The thing to keep first in mind is it can be treated, and it WILL NOT last forever!! Positive attitude is VERY important!
Plus, Mrs J has all of us pulling for her. After all, we helped y'all get Miss B squared up...now we can help with Mrs J.
Suz
Suz,
DeleteSeems like things are progressing. Mrs. J just got a call asking if she could make an appointment tomorrow to get the port put in. So, like you said the plan is afoot.
As to hair...My usual reply to baldness jokes is "The Lord only created a finite amount of perfect heads, the rest he covered with hair!"
She doesn't seem to concerned about it. But she must have read your comment as she was talking hats this morning.
We're hanging in and things are happening, which, as I mentioned earlier eases our tensions a bit.
Thanks
juvat
Okay, lots of prayers for all y'all juvat-peoples. Dang. Mrs. A has had three biggie C's cut out of her, as she's not a candidate for chemo or rad. Hackitoutofmes and Lopitoffofmes. So... well....
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing. Your wife's taste buds and sense of smell will be totally screwed. I mean Hosed with a capital 'H.' Prepare for fixing bland meals for a while, and keep a bucket handy.
Other than that, just take care of... YOURSELF! Seriously, she needs YOU and YOU have to hold it together. So if that means blowing up stumps or shooting cans or beating the stuffing out of innocent cacti or weeds, then do so, out of ear and eyeBshot. Rage to the sky, cry, scream, but don't be stupid and hurt yourself. And don't be stubborn and accept help willingly. If the female members of your extended family want to come down and clean the house while your wife's sick, let them.
Just take care of her and yourself, okay?
Dammit.
And have you had a colon check lately?
Beans,
DeleteLast first. Yes, my last quarterly visit with my GP was my physical. I was in getting my innards hose out the next week. No problemas and the stuff that had looked bad on the last one weren't there on this one. So...good to go I think
I don't have much sense of smell now either, something happened in a rhinoplasty a year or two ago. So, if that happens with Mrs. J well, I can add Tabasco to French Toast to give it flavor and she won't mind.
Seriously, good advice all round, so thanks
I'll add Mrs. A to my prayer list also.
juvat
I'll say a prayer for Mrs. Juvat: daily.
ReplyDeleteChemo can suck; ask my wife - she hated losing her hair, but at least she had a fine time shopping for wigs.
Uh, this was 30+ years ago and she finally gave them all to S.A. last year - her hair grew back out just fine: it took a year - didn't think she'd need them again.
Boron,
DeleteWhen they first mentioned chemo, Mrs J looked at me and said "Well, I'll be just like you, never need a haircut." She's got spunk. Think I'll keep her.
Thanks
juvat
Apparently the hair deal is a major issue for the ladies. Depending on type and dose of chemo it may not cause loss, but if it does, be prepared to cope. If it starts, go for the buzz cut instead of shedding like your favorite canine friends. Wig or not to wig, you have an excuse and most of your friends will know what is going on, and are firmly on your side, so why pretend nothing is happening? Cancer places have lots of cute hats (and winter is coming) for physical and emotional comfort, and a bit of fashionable support. When it grows back (and it will) many decide that short hair with little care required is a really good idea, although one they would not have considered when enjoying the Rapunzel style.
DeleteAnd, yeah, the careGIVER needs to take care of themself too. It's a team effort, kinda like in the old F4 days, things go best when both front and backseater are working as a team and fully informed.
Anon,
DeleteAll good ideas and I'll keep them in mind. I've always been the type of person that gets tensed up when there's no plan. Now there is one, we can start execution thereof and pray for the best outcome. That's where we are now and I can feel the tension lessening a bit.
Thanks
juvat
Sending prayers for you and Mrs. J.
ReplyDelete🙏❤️🙏
Anon,
DeletePrayers are always appreciated.
Thanks
juvat
Well ****! Pray catching it early will lead to a positive outcome.
ReplyDeleteWSF,
DeleteThanks, much appreciated.
juvat
Sorry for all the medical stuff going on. Praying? - of course. The Good Lord answers the prayers of those who offer them up here. We know.
ReplyDeleteMiss Jeanie went through similar stuff a few years ago. Some of the treatment was rough. The hair was hard to lose, but it came back and there were a lot of discussions about having the new “look” as it came back in different stages. All’s good now and back to being the high speed heater I married (well at 78, a little slower).
Good luck on the legal side.
D4,
DeleteGlad Miss Jeanie made it. Mrs J is busy scheduling all the prep things now, The next couple of weeks are getting pretty full, So far, the family reunion is intact, so that'll take our minds off "Things".
With the legal letter in hand, talking to the folks in charge is quite easy. Once I get the estate, whatever the size, that's when I expect the arrows to start flying. Fortunately, it's just a 1 v 2 and one of them is pretty much on my side. The other? Well....
Prayers are appreciated, always!
Cheers,
juvat
Mrs J here. Thanks for all the positivity and prayers. I know they work. We saw it with Miss B and how far she's come. I really felt I should comment here and set the record straight. First, let me say that you are your own best health advocate. You alone know the workings of your body better than anyone else. Heck, you're in it 24/7! That being said, this "adventure" has really been a near fail on the part of most of the medicos. I originally brought my GI issues up to my GP back in May. He referred my to a local GI Doc. To see the GI Doc you must first make it past the "Gatekeeper", his NP. At my meeting with her I described my symptoms. She never did a physical exam, of any kind, just ordered an upper GI ultrasound (my problems are all lower GI), told me to start taking a probiotic (I already was) and to start taking Metamucil. Needless to say, the ultrasound was unremarkable. Shortly after this. I started seeing blood in my stool. I called her office and reported it. Her nurse called back "NP says it must be hemorrhoids and prescribed a suppository. Follow up in 6 wees." It's now August, I'm frustrated, symptoms are getting worse, so I got an appointment with my GP and went into great depth with my frustration and increasingly alarming lower GI symptoms. He immediately ordered a CT scan (which came back negative) and a colonoscopy (which finally happened Oct 10). Colonoscopy showed suspect mass, biopsies were taken and pathology report of colorectal squamous cell cancer in 2 locations reported. Who knows how long this cancer would have gone unnoticed if I didn't keep trying to have someone listen. Normal colonoscopy schedule is every 3 years. So, never, ever forget that you are your own best health advocate. Speak up if something isn't right. Fight for yourself and your health. You're worth it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, this Cancer warrior is going to put up one HELLUVA fight armed with your prayers, positive vibes and strong faith in "The Big Guy". Thank you all for your support!
Bottom line: You're family, Mrs. J.
DeletePrayers up for y'all.
ReplyDeleteThanks OldNFO!
Deletejuvat