To all - Hello

[gmasusie]

Thinking of you, Saint.

[SecretTiger]

I hope everything is going well, Saint. Take care.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Saint

Hey, Heyyyy, Frankie's in the house !!!!!

How the hell are you Frank!


Glad you found your way back!

Saint

Sorry to hear about your problems with your dad and girl friend saint. Can't really add to what's been said buddy. Maybe something good is right around the corner. Take care.

[jenm]

Saint, I am praying for you and your dad and all involved. Love, Jenm

[gmasusie]

Saint, I really can feel the fear and the heartache. We care.

[gmasusie]

I was so glad I was sober when Monty got sick and through his death. I have no idea how I could have done it when I was drinking.

[Tryntryagain]

Good afternoon dear Saint. Bright blessings to you.

Any news around your Dads health? How are you?

You are in my thoughts.

Loveness to you dear Saint

[Saint]

Thank you all.for your kind words and support. My Dad will be operated on 11/13 in Boston. He is expected to be in intensive care for at least two days. It's been a struggle for me the last few days. The reality of the situation is sinking in.... He told my Mom the other day "don't forget me". As if she could, ha!

They will take a cat scan of his brain in the near future to see if the cancer has spread further. The doc is reasonably optimistic, if he gets all of this tumor he told my dad he may be cancer free. Ultimately time will tell.

Thank you all so much.

Saint

[R. Lee]

Stay strong Saint. You are in my thoughts every day.

[Millie]

Thinking of you, Saint. Sounds like your dad is in good hands.

[gmasusie]

Saint, I will be thinking of you. It won't surprise you to know that I HATE cancer. It sure makes it hard to live life on life's terms.

[Alexis]

Saint, the doctors words are promising. I'm thinking of you and your family. Love you xx

[lostdog]

best wishes with your dad and your feelings, if anyone can overcome things, I know you can. You are very strong.

[Millie]

Thinking of you. Hope you're doing okay.

[Saint]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, prayers, words of support.

My Dad's surgery to remove the mass in his chest has been canceled. The recent MRI of his brain shows a 1.5 cm. lesion. He was directed to the E. R. for testing and evaluation. He was admitted to the hospital overnight. The neurosurgeons and oncologists will confer and determine a path forward this afternoon.

I have no desire or urge to drink over this. The latest news is unsettling and frankly is wearing on me. My Dad is a realist and is accepting things as they are.

I'll keep you posted.

Peace,
Saint

[gmasusie]

Dearest Saint, My heart aches for you. I understand being unsettled and yet not wanting to drink. You and your dad will continue to be in my thoughts.

[Alexis]

Saint, I am thinking of you and your dad. Your strength is admirable. We are here for you xx

[R. Lee]

You & your dad are in my thoughts Saint. Yes we have to be willing to live life on lifes terms.

Have a good one.

[Tryntryagain]

Dear Saint. Good afternoon. Bright blessings to you.

You, the great big you as i see you in my life are in my thoughts.

Hold him dear Saint. His hands, his heart.

I know the draining that will be your hands into his.

I wish i could give you back a bit of what you have given me at this time of your need.

Loveness to you and your Dad.

[nan]

Dear Saint, Sorry to hear of the difficulties facing both you and your Dad. Tough times. Fortunate that he is a realist and accepting what life offers. Imagine that is easier on you that way, hopefully anyway. So many emotions erupt during times such as the ones you are going through right now. Remain grateful for the time you have had with your Dad and just take it one day at a time. I understand the heartache. Hugs!

nan

[Tryntryagain]

Good morning dear Saint. Bright blessings to you.

How is your Dad? How are you?

Be peaceful, be healthy and be strong. Loveness to you dear Saint

[jenm]

I'm praying for you, Saint! Love, Jenm

[gmasusie]

It has been 5 days since we heard from you, Saint. I know how the world can turn upside down in 5 days. Let us know how you are when you can.

[Millie]

Thinking of you, Saint. How are you?

[Saint]

Thank you all for your concern, prayers and thoughts. Yes things have been hectic. It's hard to believe 5 days have gone by since I posted last.

Sooo. The Docs were originally going to treat the brain lesion with radiation; stereotactic radio surgery although the surgery part is a misnomer. It's an extremely high dose of radiation focused strictly on the tumor. Effective and minimal side effects. However a recent MRI has shown no new growth and the Docs are now considering the possibility this lesion has been present for some time and may not in fact be a metastasised cancer. Another MRI in 3 weeks will be more indicative. So good news we hope.

The mass in his chest will be treated with a drug designed to stop blood flow to the tumor to prevent growth. It is effective initially but at some point in time it will no longer work to prevent growth.

It is a Rollercoaster ride of emotions for all. My Dad is having a hard time staying positive....I hope he can find his way there because I believe it will help him fight the disease if he stays positive and makes the most of his time left. Yes he is in for a fight, the odds stacked against him at the moment but some glimmers of hope.

The thought of his illness slowly wears my mood down without being aware. I have to work to stay positive. I have moments where I am overcome with emotion. I find time still to excercise, having started running again, slowly building up. It helps with my emotions, keeps me level.

I apologize for not being here as often as I would like. You are an amazing family and we have all come so far together. Thank you for not giving up on yourselves.

Peace,
Saint

[gmasusie]

Oh, Saint. Your story brings back so many memories. Try to enjoy every minute with your dad. Encourage him to enjoy as much as he can. Tell stories, share memories. It won't hurt a thing if he pulls through this.

We are thinking of you both. Love, Susie

[Tryntryagain]

Good morning my dear Saint. Bright blessings to you.

How my heart is always moved by you. You explanation of what is happening around your Dad is amazing. You are so clear and so understanding of what is actually happening. Isn't it incredible?

When those we love are going through such tough and dangerous times i can remember concentrating in a way i have never done when "what was happening" was explained. Questions, questions, questions. It was so important for me to know, as best i could, what was happening, what were the treatments....what did that drug do?.....what do those meds mean to him? I have always derided myself over my years as having no ability to concentrate, "in one ear and out the other"...yet to this day, i remember....word for word....everything that was communicated to me. It is so vitally important so that i could support, care and lover the great man as he needed, along with an awareness of exactly what is going on.

Staying positive. Oh my dear Saint, i want to hold you.

For me it transpires, and i would be surprised if it was any different for anyone. I was soooo not positive in my heart about my great man. I carried that fear and negativity deep inside me. WITH the great man i was all smiles and silliness.....jokes and huggles. I would sit on his bed and make plans with him for the future...that i knew would never come to fruition. Yet in his company i was positivity its very self.

Of course the great man was ALWAYS positive................Or so i thought. He always would say to me when i left only to come back later in the evening, "Thank you Andy. I do love you, i do not know what i would do without you".....we would laugh as i would make some wisecrack....and off i went down the corridor.

1 day all the very same happened. Off i went leaving him with love and laughter, i got to the front door of the hospice....went to "sign out" and realised i had left my wallet on his bedside table.

I returned to find the great man in floods of tears.

Tears i was not meant to see.

I broke down with him and over the next couple of hours we shared that we were both really frightened. That yes, indeed there was "Kudos" in staying positive, yet in doing so we had ignored each others fear.

I know you are as humble as my dear R Lee, yet it does not prevent me from saying that i personally find you to be an extraordinary man, no my brother, not "super human".....just a super human being. Full of love, experience, wisdom, compassion and understanding. Show your Dad what you got.

My thoughts and heart are all yours.

Be peaceful, be healthy and be kind to you both. Loveness to you dear Saint.

[jenm]

Please know that you and your dad are in my prayers, Saint! Love, Jenm

[R. Lee]

Stay strong Saint. It sound like you are the glue holding things together.

[iamtrying]

Saint......you are lucky to get such a privilege to take care of your dad...do your best and rest is up to God...stay strong...best wishes to you your dad and you.

[lostdog]

No apologies at all, take care of yourself. You are strong, caring for someone is a different environment, schedule, everything. It gets you out of your comfort area and it can make you struggle with feelings. Big hug and know that we are with you all the way. luv to you both.

[Alexis]

Thinking of you Saint. and your dad. Stay strong, stay amazing. No need to apologise, we know you are here in spirit even if you cant write.

Love and peace to you, always xxx

[Tryntryagain]

Good evening dear Saint. Bright blessings to you.

Just....you and your Dad are in my thoughts.

My love to you.

[Millie]

Thinking of you, Saint.

[gmasusie]

Keep us apprised, Saint.

[jenm]

Thinking of you and praying for you Saint. Love, Jenm

[Saint]

Thank you all for your prayers and kind thoughts. The family celebrated Thanksgiving together. My Dad is feeling fine physically and will start medication that will prevent growth of the tumor. The drug is effective but only for a period of time, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, the Docs throw out percentages but what will be will be. We had a good holiday, laughed, joked but bittersweet... there is a good chance this shall be his last with the family. He remains stoic, accepts what is happening but wishes for more time. Don't we all

Life is good, hard at times, but good. I wish you all peace of mind and body during the holiday season. Think through that first drink.

I love you all.

Peace, Saint

[R. Lee]

Saint, I hope you father is not in pain. Stay strong.

[lostdog]

Peace and luv to you Saint.

[gmasusie]

I've been there, Saint. It's difficult for everyone, but it sure can bring a family together.

[Saint]

Thank you Lee, Lostdog, Gmasusie.

No pain Lee. I hope it can be managed if/when it gets to that point.

Simple words Peace and luv Lostdog but they touch me. Thank you.

Susie, Thank you. I've cried every night this week..

Peace

[gmasusie]

Saint, I am crying with you, right now.

[Millie]

Saint, I am so sorry. But so very glad you get to appreciate the time you have with him. You're in my thoughts.

[Sam Bailey]

Hey Saint!

It's such a strange thing, my life now. Not the life I have with my wife, kids and grandkids. That life is terrific. Not without its challenges, many challenges!, but great nonetheless.

I am so blessed that every single one of 'em is healthy and well and good and---I'm blessed that they are in my life.

The strange thing is that I am the sole person from my "original" family still alive on this earth. I was the youngest one, now I'm the only one.

Mom, Dad, gone. "Close" Uncles, gone. Brother gone.

And while it's been years 'n years since my brother died (he was the last to go), I still think of them, sometimes one of them, sometimes several, pretty much every day. And I miss them still.

Yet I am so thankful that I had them in my life. Despite some very dark times, when each of them were lost in their own addictions, I remember best the good times.

So Saint, IDK. As I reflect now on your situation with your own Dad, and the sad trials you are both experiencing, I am encouraged (is that the right word?) I am heartened? that you recognize the value of your Dad, and that the both of you (and other family too) are living life to its fullest. You're living it the best you can.

That Saint, is just so admirable. And in that regard, you're a lucky guy.

Best to you, Saint. And best to your Dad.

sam b

[SecretTiger]

My thoughts are with you and your family, Saint.

[Tryntryagain]

Good evening dear Saint. Bright blessings to you.

I have only love to offer and some understanding of the emotions this journey must be like. You know why i haven't caught up until now, i'm sorry for that and now look forward to making amends by being here for you, as you have always been for me.

As you always say to me, i wish you peace at this time.

Loveness to you dear Saint.

[iamtrying]

Hi Saint,

Best to you and your dad....spend as much time as possible with him...we all have only one life to live, in that some are irreplaceable - parents.

Hugs.

[Alexis]

Love you Saint, thanks for your support to me. you are special. So must be your dad, to bring a man like you into the world xx

[Alexis]

Hey Saint, how are you? How is your dad?

We miss you a lot and I hope you are ok.

Love to you and your family xxx

[lostdog]

Yes, we miss you, hope you are doing ok, blessings sent to you.