Things are not real smooth sailing in the Howe household these days. Tough issues to talk about.
The pulmonology appointment went as badly as I expected. Michael's lungs are worse and we're headed toward complete pulmonary failure - when is anybody's guess. The echocardiogram showed up as normal - but the doctor wants to run a heart cath since the predictive value on that test is far superior to any other tool they have. He was so sure the echo was going to show pulmonary hypertension since Michael has all the symptoms of that problem. The echo is less invasive and doesn't require anesthesiology - a big factor when dealing with somebody with dicey lungs. There is medicine they can give him for the pulmonary hypertension that will aid in breathing. So, I'm in favor of getting the test done. Then Dr. Dortin wants Michael to see a specialist at the University who is doing research on IPF. Michael wants no part of that I did get him to agree to the heart cath.
ME: I don't want to be sitting here alone one or two years from now and find out that this test could have given me more time with you. I couldn't live with myself.
MICHAEL: OK, I'll get it done.
Cathy won this battle folks!
Round Two: Cathy won this one too! Michael agreed we need to get wills drafted.
I went to the Christian-based counselor tonight - the timing was good on this. He suggested two books to read over the next two weeks since he's going on vacation, but wants to see me once a week for while. I have grief issues. (no,duh!)
My cell phone rang when we left the doctor's this afternoon. It was my friend Diane from work. After I left the office at 2:30 this afternoon, the company laid off three underwriters - one from my area! The underwriter who was terminated is the same lady who lost her fiance three weeks ago and the day after his funeral, she had to hospitalize both her parents. How much can a person stand? I made Diane swear to me on the phone that I wasn't going to be laid off tomorrow the minute I set foot in the office. She said she was told this was all the layoffs for now. We're supposed to have a meeting with the VP who did the hatchet job tomorrow at 8:30. I'd get banned from the blogging world if I wrote the names I have for this idiot. Our department was five percent ahead of last year at this time in production and we lose a key staff member? Makes no sense. But this is coming from the man who never sets foot in our department and probably doesn't even know how to spell disability.
Big praise - Mom's body scan was normal! Thank you, God!
I'll write more tomorrow. But for now, keep us in your prayers.
Love,
Cathy
4 comments:
Oh sweetie that is all just awful! I'm so glad that you won the battles with Michael!! And I can't believe that they laid off the woman who lost her fiance. How heartless! What a toad!!!
We will chat tomorrow!
You're in my heart and in my prayers. You won the first battles so that's a good sign. The counselor sounds like a wonderful idea and always remember we are all here for you.
I'm very sorry you've got so much on your plate. I'll be praying for you and yours. Hang in there and keep the faith!
You know how much I love you. I'm glad we've been able to touch base this week. As Mother Teresa said, "I know the Lord won't give me more than I can handle; I just wish He didn't trust me so much."
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