It's 3:27 and I am awake.

[Bertha Venation]

Because sleeping in our current bed causes me terrible back pain, I sleep in my recliner. My sleep is usually interrupted at least once each night by CATS. Our cats. We have too many and at least one is awake at all times.

This morning it's been Moose wanting out -- so I got up to let him out or he'd keep scratching. Then Cocoa wanted out a few minutes later; got up to let her out. Then Toby wouldn't leave Charley alone, so I locked him in the bathroom while I coaxed her back into the bedroom, where she's been spending all her time. She is much happier in there, as an "only" cat. And after I did that, I went to "lay" back down, only to find Mildred curled up on my blanket. I gave up.

I am surfing Failblog, the IRS site, Facebook, and I just brought up freedomtomarry.org, which site I've never been to. I also answered an email from my uncle, asking for an update on Mrs. V.'s condition. I feel bad that I hadn't updated him, but then, I haven't updated a lot of people. The stress has been enormous -- but I have no room to bitch; I'm not the one who has been sick.

Speaking of stress, it will be worse if I don't get some sleep. But I'm wide awake.

Harrumph.

[denbot]

1. It's 12:46 and I just finished doing the dishes

Roasted a chicken, rice, and broccoli with cheese sauce (first time I tried to make a cheese sauce). I used more pots and pans then usual. Mini-Alley helped with the dishes, so I needed to do a little late night touch-up. At 14 she should be able to thoroughly clean dishes, but at least she volunteered.

How is Miss V doing? Is she experiencing any more pain? Has she be put on a special diet? My bouts with pancreatitis seem to be triggered by my poor food choices (fatty, or eating a little more then I should). The doctors found a slight pancreatic divisum, but my recurring bouts are more likely caused by gallbladder problems. They have suggested that I have my gallbladder removed, but I am kinda attached to the little feller.

I hope you can get a little sleep.
Peace,
pb

[Bertha Venation]

2. how did the cheese sauce turn out?

MMrs. V. tells me each day, "I feel X% better than yesterday." Usually it's 10%, but yesterday it was 30! But by bedtime it was back down to 10. :(

No special diet, although she is careful about what she eats. We still don't know what caused it. She is having an ERCP on the 14th and we hope that will tell all. Meantime her recovery is slow. At least she has had no more pain.

A divisum is something I haven't heard of... I don't blame you for wanting to keep your gall bladder, and I hope that it isn't the cause for you. Mrs. V. had hers removed years ago, which is one of the things that makes her illness such a mystery.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. Give yourself some more slack, BV.

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"I feel bad that I hadn't updated him, but then, I haven't updated
a lot of people. The stress has been enormous -- but I have no room
to bitch; I'm not the one who has been sick."
.
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That kind of stress IS enormous and can cause distractions for all SORTS of
reasons from all SORTS of things -- including the cause of the stress itself.
.
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We do our best. Sometimes we see ways to be better, but I think it's harder
for many of us to admit that we actually do a pretty damn good job...
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....CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
.
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Forgive yourself for being human. It's OK, honest.
.
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Do get as much sleep as you can -- that's one of the crucial elements.
.
:hug:
.
.
.

[Bertha Venation]

4. thank you, Mom

:hug: I'll try.