thank you to everyone who has sent me e mails or made comments regarding my seeming absence from TQS and the forum and special thanks to all of you who pray for me. I know that prayers can do wonders (And Brink- your good thoughts help too).

I just had an iron infusion yesterday (so don't walk near me with a magnet or I will be stuck to you permanently LOL) and am feeling much better already. I had gotten so tired before the iron infusion that I am still sleeping a lot but finally today feel half way human again and can face my sewing room with joy. The last iron infusions lasted seven months and probably would have lasted longer if I hadn't had a bleeding episode three weeks ago. So here is hoping that this infusion will hold as long as the other ones did and I will have an event free summer.

Hugs and love to all of you, Ann

Ann, it is good to hear from you. Like you, I have been busy, and Jeremy is home this week from Indiana. I have been trying to "be still" and pray and asking for guidance to understand and know His will concerning my mom and my 'reason for being' This move east and the empty nest has been difficult for me. So you all are in my prayers and I thank you for yours for me.
Joan

I haven't posted for a while (how can someone who is retired get so darned busy?) But have been reading and praying all along.

Patti, I know right now your load is heavy but just remember you can only carry what you can control. Give the rest up to that Higher Power and stop trying to be the queen and controller of the universe. Just a loving note from your friend. Care and grieve but do not try to control.

To Ritzy, have fun with your quilt for your Isabelle, Our Isabelle will be twelve next week and is more dear every day The time goes past so fast. Just "yesterday" she was a babe in arms. Grandma's lose track of time. LOL

To the rest of you, I read your prayer requests and remember them each day and know that many of you pray for me. I feel your love and concern daily even when life does not let me reply as often as I would like. Just remember I care.

Ann who is healthy, happy and busy at the moment.

Sharon that is sad I hope he can find a way to tell with it. My dad passed away 17 years ago on St. Patricks day and this was the frist St Patricks day that I were the green I still miss my dad and in time they will be able to go on just be there for them and hug them a lot because they will need it Happy

praying!

Hi All -- Our daughter just called her boyfriend's father had a heart attack at 3 a.m. this morning and passed away. 58 years old - and very sudden. Her boyfriend is an only child and his dad is his best friend. They are both young to have to deal with this.

Sharon

Julie and Karen - Sending prayers to each of you and your families! Mary Kay

Patti - Sending hugs and prayers! I don't know the answer,but I do believe you can find it in the Lord! God Bless you as you work through the difficulties with your sister! Mary Kay

Patti your DS and DM are fortunate to have you there with them. It is a difficult time for all of you right now. I pray that you don't have to go through finding your DS like my BIL also. One can only hope and pray that the light goes on for her before the worst can happen. Try to take time to care for yourself during all this. The stress can do such horrible things to the caregivers. I'm also praying that you are given the strength to get through this and for the doctors to give the correct care they each need. Karen

Oh Karen I'm so sorry for you and your sister especially, to have lived thru that. This is so hard for me as a sister and I'm taking it especially personal just now for some reason. But I can't even imagine how hard it is on a spouse. What you described I've been thru with my sister and am feeling like I need to force myself to let go. But what you described as your BIL's end is my worst nightmare too. Give your sister a hug from me (since she knows we here at TQS have been praying for her anyway) and tell her I have only an idea but an idea of her pain and congratulate her for moving on.

More bad news on my front I'm afraid. My mom is going downhill fast and is in a bad way today with an upper respiratory infection. She won't eat or drink so may be transported to the hospital today if they can't get hydration at least going. Thank you for your prayers.

There are a lot of things to be said about and to an alcoholic by the people who love and care for them. However if the alcoholic doesn't acknowledge they have a problem that has messed up their life and alienated everyone around them, they will never change the behavior. Today I took a phone call from my DS's step daughter. She informed me that her father had passed away 3 days ago (about the same time my DS was undergoing her surgery). My ex-brother-in-law was found in the middle of his livingroom this morning-dead from bleeding out. His liver had been under the constant barrage of alcohol for 30-40 years and must have finally given out. He died alone and wasted away from his booze abuse. He and my DS could have had a wonderful retirement together if he had only gotten into a program to stop his drinking. But he thought that was a stupid thing and he was in complete control. How sad that humans make such terrible mistakes when they are not in control of their actions.
We are very sad that Bob ended his life alone and suffering and pray that he finally is at peace. DS and Bob have been divorced for 5 years, his 2 daughters disowned him 15 years ago because they couldn't stand how he was behaving, his only friend was a woman who lived near him and spent a lot of time sponging off him when he was in his cups and using him as a source of money...with or without his permission. All in all the past 18 years of his life have been all downhill and today the trip ended. He was a smart man, and a kind man and a loving father until the alcohol pushed it all out of his life. Our prayers are for his eternal peace.

Don't ever be sorry that is way we are here for you and to help love ya Happy

I was telling a friend that bad things shouldn't happen on a Saturday. I really wanted to talk to my close friends for comfort and talk things out and everyone was busy. But after thinking alot over the 24 hrs, I know what you all are saying is right. There's nothing I can do. I was thinking Rehab too because she got sentenced one year to a rehab center a few years ago and had been sober since then until we put mom in a nursing home, which set her off again. This time I think she can't avoid Alabama's mandatory 10yr sentence in prison for multiple offenses. Backing off IS what I have to do and I just have to get over the guilt feelings from that. It's the right and best thing for both of us. Even tho I'm so sorry and embarrassed for dumping on you all, I'm grateful that you let me think outloud some.

Patti I am praying for your sister that she will get the strength to do what she needs to do for herself. Even though it must hurt you to have her in jail at least you know she and others on the road are safer until she can help herself. I hope this time is the one that makes her realize she can turn around and change what she is doing.

Karen