The big "C" and other Life Events

Wowzers, it has been ages since I've posted anything. Well let me start with the most recent news and work my way backwards.

Last Friday, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 3 prostate cancer. Six months ago he had precancerous cells and they told him to check back in 6 months. So, in 6 months time, he went from precancer to stage 3. Prostate cancer is supposed to be the slowest moving, not so in his case. He has 2 treatment options: 1st is a robotic surgery at St. John's. Second is a procedure that has not been approved in the US yet, so he'd have to travel to Cancun (or maybe it was the Bahamas) to have it done, and would have to pay $25,000 cash. It sounds like he's leaning towards that option. The thing that scares me is that it wouldn't be done until June. That's three months away. With the rapid progression he's had in 6 months, it scares me about how much it could progress in another three months.

On a lighter note, I joined a running club! ME!! Can you believe it? It meets every Saturday morning at 8am in Forest Lake (starting at the end of April). Over the course of 18 weeks, they'll be training the non-runners to run a 5k at the end of the summer. I can NOT picture myself running 3 miles nonstop at this point, but I'm determined to do it! I must admit, a lot of my motivation comes from just wanting to prove Kendall wrong. He laughed at me when I told him about it and told me I'd basically never be able to do it. Gotta love supportive husbands. I went out for my first 'jog' the other day around my neighborhood. I walked most of the way and jogged here and there for very short spurts. The total walk/run was a mile. I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Keep in mind, this was very little running. Yikes, I have my work cut out for me!!!! :)

The pets. UGH. Bosco, our 10 year old dog, was diagnosed with diabetes. He has to have insulin shots twice a day and eat prescription dog food. Kendall has refused to help with this at all so it's all on my shoulders. Bosco's levels are still not under control and he is constantly eating and drinking. He's peed in the house several times. We're supposed to check his levels at home but i have been unable to draw enough blood to do so. That means, we need to take him into the vet to have that done and we just can't afford frequent vet visits. I hate to say it, but I'm just exhausted and considering having him put down. That sounds horrible, I know and I feel guilty even thinking it. It seems so selfish of me....but I just can't do it anymore. Kendall also now keeps him penned up in the dining room 24/7 in case he does pee in the house, it's not on the carpet. That's just not fair to him.

More pet news. We got three guinea pigs several months ago, before Bosco was diagnosed. Their names are Rhubard, Sassafras, and Basil. They're super cute and I love them, and the kids love them. Kendall hates them. They are also a lot of work.....twice a day cage cleaning (they poop a lot), making sure they have a constant supply of hay, twice a day giving them a variety of fresh veggies, and their daily pellets. The first couple of months I didn't think they stunk at all. Lately, though....they seem to be kinda stinky. Again, I'm just exhausted. Between taking care of all the animals by myself, taking care of the kids (keep in mind that kendall doesn't get home during the week until midnight), I just feel overworked, overwhelmed, and tired.

I'm kinda in a funk, I think. Winters are typically hard for me, maybe I have a case of S.A.D. I'm hoping the sprintime will bring a new attitude :)