I will be jobless as of next Wednesday.

(and no, the search is not going well)

I've gained 30 pounds.
I've started smoking again.
*sigh*

So long Artie. We hardly new 'ye



http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-clarke19mar19,0,393161.story

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Over the past week or so I've gotten some email from friends wanting me to update them on the status of my life. Why haven't I written them or updated my blog or simply given them a call? I've struggled to sum up the last 7 or so months of my life into a simple concise statement, and I think I've done it.

IT"S FUCKED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION!!!

Sorry to be all stressed and confrontational, but fuck it. Here's the long version.

About 7 mos. ago Mom was diagnosed with Grade 4 Aggressive Lymphoma in 5 areas (Neck, Chest, Groin and both armpits). She was non-ambulatory and not doing well at all. After going crazy trying to get her into some of the most prestigious cancer facilities without success, my older sister managed to get the Head of Oncology at Hospital University of Pennsylvania (where she is an RN).

Due to her non ambulatory nature he was not giving her a much of a prognosis. We later learned that her being non-ambulatory was more of an emotional response than physical and some severely draining tough love on my sister and my part put an end to that. After which her doctor upgraded her prognosis.

We rented her and my Dad a house in Atlantic City where she could be relatively close to the hospital and to my sister (luckily it was off season so the rent was not as high as it could have been). Thus began her 6 mos. ordeal of aggressive chemotherapy. During this time it was up to me and my sisters to share the responsibility of caring for my Mom and by proxy, Dad. I won't go into the the game of who did what, but suffice to say that my nearly weekly trips to and from Atlantic City were not for the gambling or the beaches. We are all tired and stressed beyond the breaking point and I myself am quite surprised that we all made it through that with no knife or gunshot wounds.

About 3 weeks ago Mom had final chemo session and subsequent consultation and was pronounced to be in remission. We all breathed a sigh of relief. We all know remission is not a cure and that now the really hard work has to begin. 77 years of bad eating and not exercising must be reversed if this is to take hold. Believe me it is not easy to this with someone who thinks they're always right and simply cannot break bad habits easily. So they came to stay with me in NY to give my sister a break and go home to Fla. to start over again.

Now, you would think that for the most part the worst was over... BUT YOU"D BE DEAD FUCKING WRONG!!!

On April 11, my Dad had a heart attack. He was taken to North Shore LIJ where he was immediately put into surgery to have a balloon to clear the 100% blockage of his main artery and a stent put in to maintain the clearing. His cardiologist informed him that his main aortic artery was clogged 100% and 2 of his lesser arteries were clogged 60 and 70% respectively. He spent 4 days in the Cardiac Care Unit after which he came back to my place. His doctor gave very strict instructions on what he was to not be doing before he came back for his follow up. No lifting, bending, opening jars, stress, excessive walking, driving, riding in cars for extended periods, his diet was restricted, he could not be left alone for very long and he was taking a drug cocktail.

Let me say now that this may seem normal to some people. Not my Dad. He was, quite literally, never been really sick in his entire 77 year life. I think I remember him having the flu once when I was a kid but that's it. (BTW- his cardiologist thinks he may slept through the actual heart attack and only had "symptoms" of it when he woke up!) Consequently he has never really been a patient and through every step he has been resistant to all care from the moment of the attack, through the hospital stay and now while he is home with me.

So that's my life for the past 7 mos. taking care of parents has evolved into a full time second job. Which really sucks since I hate my first one so fucking much, that I'm now sending out resumes to just about anyone to get the fuck out of it. Another bit of stress that I really fucking don't need.

So I've got a few requests of the people I love that requires little to no action on their part:

Please don't be offended if I don't write it just takes too much fucking time (while writing this I've answered 3 shouts of my name to perform some menial task).

If I don't show up to an event or RSVP to the same, again I'm not being an asshole, I just don't remember to RSVP and I don't and can't lock myself into schedules when I need to be chief cook, housekeeper, gopher and chauffeur while my parents are recuperating. If something is really important just please keep reminding me.

The best and easiest way to get me is by phone. My cell is now on practically 24/7 only during weekdays my office phone is probably easier.

Finally, if there is someone who both of us know who doesn't subscribe to LJ and who is wondering why I haven't gotten back to them, please direct them here or tell them to give me a call.

Thanks and I love you all.

Meet the newest member of my remote control robotic horde! This is Hoover. isn't he cute? ...and deadly!

<table width='90%' border=1 cellpadding=8 align='center'><tr><td width='1%'><img src='http://paulkienitz.net/quizpix/skiffy_isaac.jpg' width=200 height=200></td><td>I am:<blockquote><big><big><b>Isaac Asimov</b></big></big></blockquote>One of the most prolific writers in history, on any imaginable subject. Cared little for art but created lasting and memorable tales.</td></tr></table>
<center><p><br><b><a href='http://paulkienitz.net/skiffy.html'>Which science fiction writer are you?</a></b></p></center>