Stress -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Stress

The deformation caused in a body by such a force. A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. A state resulting from a stress; especially one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.

I use this word today because that is all I have seen on Facebook from family and friends the last few weeks. The individuals are not of an older generation, but from the college inductee category. With these stress related issues, they would tend to let you believe they are in dire need of someone from the older generation to listen. When one calls their hand, they then lash out with unhealthy language and an attitude of disrespect.

What has the 'college' and 'high school' generation come to that the adults that would like to follow along with family and friend's updates cannot do so in a manner of enjoyment? I find myself getting entwined in their game and as much as I resist the desire to participate, I found myself today doing just that... It sickened me of myself, but especially of the one that pulled me into the trap.

Now that I have that off my chest!

Memorial services for Sharon were very nice on Saturday. My little brother did very well. It is now time for him to begin the mending phase. Please pray for him as he goes through this process as he has been unable to eat and has turned to a 12 pack a day. Guess he forgot the phrase of "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."... Somehow down the line he got confused at the grocery store.

I am at my wit's end with him. If I am nice, he drinks more. If I am angry, he drinks more.

I found myself recruiting ChemoSabe last night after my last couple of nights with stress worrying about my brother. We jumped on the spa and emptied it, polished and began the filling process. I had emptied it about a month ago and propped the ends open so it would not mildew... I did a wonderful job at that, if I must say so myself. ha... It cleaned up nicely and we began filling it around 8:00 p.m. At 10:30 I turned the water off. It was only half fill.. Or, was it half empty?

This morning I sat an alarm and turned the water back on. Got it filled and turned the pump and heater on. I can't wait until tonight. All that twisting and turning pulled my back again. I slept on the heating pad and took muscle relaxers. If you know me at all, you know I HATE pills.

Have to tell you this... This will remind you of the "Stupider" post from a few weeks ago. The last time I emptied the spa and cleaned it, I thought I had the water hose on a timer. I use to have all the hoses on one. Well, someone in the household (there are only two of us and it were not I) (red neck talk), disconnected the timer. I turned the water on; we went to Wal-Mart (about two hours) and then went else where (about four hours) and when we came back in the night I went to check the spa... OH MY GOODNESS... Four flooded decks...

ChemoSabe is traveling today after having a tooth filled this morning. He called me to ask if he was speaking strangely. ha

Our friend, Roger from OKC got a very good report on Friday. He heard the word "REMISSION". BUT, he is doing another round of chemo that began on Saturday. He did a second stem cell transplant. You will remember when we started the stem cell collection we thought he would be the first one out of the gate. It took him almost a week to collect the 21,000.

We met Ruthie and him, along with my boss and wife for dinner last week. We had such a pleasant visit and good food. Can't wait till we meet again. It was a stress reliever.

We are looking to try a motorcycle trip in the next few weeks to St. Louis before ChemoSabe begins his Velcade injections. We are told he will be quite tired after those. I haven't seen it, yet, in all his treatments. Knowing him it will affect him like a dose of chemo! ha..

Well, Kids.. I really need to get back to work since it is a short week. Again, please continue to pray for my brother. He is such a loving and caring person to others. He would give a stranger his last dollar if they asked for it. He just can't take care of himself.

Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper