Ominous -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Ominous •adjective

Definition: being or exhibiting an omen: portentous; especially: foreboding or foreshadowing evil: inauspicious

Did you know?
"Ominous" didn't always mean "foreshadowing evil." If you look closely, you can see the "omen" in "ominous," which gave it the original meaning of "presaging events to come" -- whether good or bad. It is ultimately derived from the Latin word "omen," which is both an ancestor and a synonym of our "omen." Today, however, "ominous" tends to suggest a menacing or threatening aspect. Its synonyms "portentous" and "fateful" are used similarly, but "ominous" is the most menacing of the three. It implies an alarming character that foreshadows evil or disaster. "Portentous" suggests being frighteningly big or impressive, but seldom gives a definite forewarning of calamity. "Fateful" implies that something is of momentous or decisive importance.

It is close. The end of the year that presented so many ominous things to us. Death is not evil. I believe death of a loving member of your family can reveal peace. Peace from suffering, loneliness, unhappiness and pain. My mother's death, although was basically from surgery resulting from an injury, was a release from her suffering, loneliness and unhappiness. I miss her terribly, but I do not miss the sadness in her eyes.

Saturday was a busy day for ChemoSabe. He was up and out of the house at 4:30 a.m. He made it to the 6:00 a.m. opening of Penneys for their sales. Then to labs, in the office and back for his Velcade. Labs are just soaring. Everything looks extraordinary. Nothing ominous.

We are still having a problem with the weight gain. So much so, it is effecting his sleep and problems with acid reflux in the middle of the night. I think the bowl of cereal at bed time in the bed will need to cease.

Sunday started a gradual down slide from the steroids. The tiredness is evident. Yesterday I noticed a little of the snappishness. I tend to 'turn the other cheek', so to say. He realizes it when he says or does something that is unkind, rude, etc., so I don't respond as I realize it, too. You know me; sometimes it is the hardest thing for me not to come back with something.

We do not have any plans for New Years' Eve and really don't want to make any. I believe the appropriate and most laid back for us would be to rent a few movies. We have a good credit going as we rented four last weekend and turned them back in time to get a $2.00/each credit.

Medication advice -- If you have any inkling of the flu, sinus infection or any other respiratory ailments, tell you doctor you want Levaquin. This was the drug I borrowed from ChemoSabe's stash. It was left over from his bout with pneumonia the first of the year. I started it last Wednesday and Thursday I felt 50% better. I took another on Thursday and Friday, but not on Saturday. So, Sunday I was down in the mouth again. I took the last one last night and I really feel a lot better. My cough is just about gone...

I pray you all have a safe holiday. If you are partying, I pray you do it sensibly. It is better to go the expense and spend the night than to go the expense by the end result of a DWI. The cost may be greater than monetary. It could be some one's life.

I pray the new year will bring you happiness and good fortune along with a multitude of good health. If an illness strikes you, I hope in some way we have helped you with our journey. It will soon be two years. Without the help, support and encouragement from you and from ChemoSabe, I could not have withstood the pressure. I would have given in to my own selfish pity parties.

So remember, those ominous clouds may not be that bad after all. God always has a purpose.

Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper