Freebie chat part 3

[TFW46]

Originally Posted by Ketabcha

We're waterlogged in these parts but it is nothing like what Houston is getting. My backyard is underwater but none of it has gotten into the sunken den (ala late 70's). Today is beautiful with a blue sky and sunshine. More rain coming in tomorrow. The trees, shrubs and grass are all so green and I swear they are giggling.

Good to hear from you, Ketabcha! I always worry about you because your area seems to get the most storms and the worst ones, as well. Most of my back yard is still under water. There are hedges lining the fences and the ground there is so very muddy. The rain has stopped for a couple of days and Lulu has wanted to go out -- she has no place to lie down out there except in the hedges area so she comes back into the house with mud everywhere.

This photo is not Lulu (thank goodness) but it's close to what she looks like after taking a nap in the hedges:

[TFW46]

Prayers and good thoughts appreciated. My sister, who is 10 months younger than I am and who lives about a mile from me, is in hospice. She started showing signs of illness less than one year ago and was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis (both are sort of cancers of the blood). She's always been the healthiest and most active person I've ever known. I'm still trying to come to terms with it.

[Flamingo13]

I'm sorry to hear - Thoughts w/you and your family TFW. HUGS!!

[Ketabcha]

So sorry to hear about your sis, TFW.


"Multiple Myeloma" in my mind equates to "Nuclear Attack." Both are devastating. Again, I am so sorry. At least you live nearby and not across the country. You can visit with her as often as you like.

[TFW46]

Thanks so much, Flamingo and Ketabcha. My sister went a little crazy (actually, very crazy) after my mother died, at the age of 98, in 2012. We became estranged because of her behavior at that time and didnt speak again until she got sick recently. Having been estranged all those years makes it harder now to deal with her pending death.

My sister was an avid gardener all her life. She had incredible gardens that the whole neighborhood would visit and photograph. As birthday gifts she'd design a garden for someone's yard, then buy all the plants and plant it all herelf, as well as tend to it regularly. I've wondered if perhaps her constant use of insecticides was the cause of, or contributed to, her illness. I know it probably doesnt matter now but I was an analyst in my career and I always try to make sense of the un-sensible.

Below are two photos of just part of her front yard.

[Camper1]

Originally Posted by TFW46

Prayers and good thoughts appreciated. My sister, who is 10 months younger than I am and who lives about a mile from me, is in hospice. She started showing signs of illness less than one year ago and was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis (both are sort of cancers of the blood). She's always been the healthiest and most active person I've ever known. I'm still trying to come to terms with it.

Oh TFW, I'm so sorry about your sister. No matter how estranged we think we are from family, it still hurt when you loose them. If you ever just want to talk you know how to reach me.

[TFW46]

Thanks, Camper. My sister just died. It was very peaceful and quiet.

She had made plans to donate her body to research for amyloidosis since so little is known about it. Hospice is making arrangements with that research group to go over to her house now to pick up her body.

I may not be on the internet for a while.

[Flamingo13]

I am so sorry to hear - please know that thoughts are with you and family. No matter how estranged we might have been recently from someone, it still hurts when it's someone we love/loved. Sending you a long distance hug.

[TFW46]

Thanks so much, Flamingo.

[Ketabcha]

I'm sending positive vibes your way, TFW.