As many of my dear readers of this blog know, my dad has been very ill over the past few months. Recently he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, a lethal bone marrow disease.
I've decided to take a leave of absence from my job at the newspaper to help with my father's care.
I want you to know that I will continue posting on this blog. The English Muse -- which I started in January as a form of creative expression -- has become my respite. Your kind comments have kept me going...
Thank you.
My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer but is all better now therefore I can somewhat understand how you must be feeling....
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you. You are very brave....
I think taking your leave of absence is brave and the correct choice for you to make. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your father, and your family.
ReplyDeleteDificult times. Been thinking about you a lot. My dad died when I was ten. Still thinking about him. Wish I had a chance to get to know him better. I wish and I wish you get much more time with your dad. In situations like this, time kind of doesn't exist. A moment spent with your dad can mean to him and you so much more than just a moment. Work... lesser importance. Though, hope you will keep coming back to us. 'Cause we can help, a little? Be well, and big extra strong hug to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything is going to be fine quickly. I wish that. I'm looking forward to read you!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sweet photo of you two, thank you for sharing it with us. I have been thinking about you a lot as you've posted about your Dad, and I can only imagine how tough a time this must be for you all. I am so pleased for you that you're able to take the time off from work to spend more time with him, it must be so precious.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you!
I feel with you! My father died 9 years ago because of cancer...I wish I would have the chance to spend more time with him,also to tell him how much I miss him...Wish you, your father and family ALL THE BEST and a lot of strength!Sending you a big hug,geisslein!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you for caring for your dad, and also to him and the rest of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteI recently lost my dad, although he wasn't sick, I think I can relate a bit. Best of luck to you!
my thoughts are with you, my darling
ReplyDeletexxxxx
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Good for you for taking the time to take care of him and be with him now.
ReplyDeleteHey there, good luck with taking care of your dad and hope that he feels better soon. Best of luck with everything. all our prayers are with you. hugs.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,!
ReplyDeleteyou two are so lucky to have one another! you've made such a wonderful commitment to your father. i admire that very much. i have no contact with my father.
ReplyDeletei wish you and your family well, and hope that being here, in this space, continues to help you get through this - there's clearly a lot of love for you here.
nath x
Your father must be quite a man if your work and your devotion to him are any proof.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had something wise to say, but having been through illness with loved ones I know for sure is that it's personal and different and everyone cries at different times and is strong at different times. Good luck.
I'm so sorry for your dad....all my prayers are for him.
ReplyDeleteReally hope that your father's condition improves soon. I'm sure your decision means so very much to him. It was a brave thing to do. All the love in the universe to you and your family at this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear this...Be strong Tina...I'm sure he appreciates this very much...thinking of you & your dear dad. ~Big Hugs*
ReplyDeleteoh my god, i had haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and i had a bone marrow transplant and now i'm all good! wow, you must be going through a very hard time, as my parents did :(
ReplyDeletei wish him well.
You are so brave listening to your heart and taking a leave of absence from work. My thoughts are with you, your dad and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Tina....'courage', xv.
ReplyDeleteTina!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how difficult this must be. :(
I wish you all the best!
My dad died 2 years ago. I know exactly what you are going through. It is a heart wrenching time. I hope your dad recovers from his illness. Spend every moment you can with him and taking time off work is the best thing :)
ReplyDeleteTina, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. It is so lovely that you will be with him and caring for him. I have been in similiar situtations and those times, although so difficult, will touch your heart forever!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Bunny
Oh Tina...what a brave and courageous thing to do. I have nothing but respect and admiration in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI am sending you hugs filled with healing and peace.
We are here for you...
-Jessica
My mother has myelodysplastic syndrome. She was diagnosed in 2001. I'm here if you'd like to talk - my email address is on my blog.
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Parkwood Cottage
You've made the choice that's brave and correct. Nobody ever goes to their own deathbed wishing they'd spent more time at the office.
ReplyDeleteyou are in my thoughts. don't forget to take care of yourself in this process.
ReplyDeletebig hug to you.
warm wishes of healing for your dad. i know it is tough on you, so make sure while you are tending to him you take time to tend to yourself. peace.
ReplyDeletemy heart goes out to you. my father was diagnosed with cancer at the end of last year and I have been traveling up and down to help with his care. I know how hard it can be , but how very special the time is .
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK!!! and bright blessings
What a sweet photograph Tina. Thank you for sharing it with us. I feel for you so much. I lost my Dad to cancer 10 years ago. I know nothing I can say will ease the pain, but please know I am thinking of you and your Dad and your family soooooooo very much. I'm sending gigantic hugs your way my dear. With love, from Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteoh honey, I hope you are doing ok. I know it's a hard time but keep on trucking and know that you've got a huge collection of readers that love you to pieces :)
ReplyDeleteWell, my heart just went thud. Don't know which symptoms of syndrome are manifest, of course. & certainly don't expect that information.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be the one graceless person to say 'bleep.' I mean bleeping illness, etc. Because whether it comes sooner or later, the only thing I know is that at some point, one thinks bleepbleepbleep a lot. In case you were thinking of not thinking it...I advise certain private 'bleep' times. Seriously.
Naturally I'm thinking of you, the family, & especially your father.
Very glad that you're taking leave. Otherwise, you will become pulled in 1,000 different directions & fall ill, too. (I know whereof I speak.) The leave, can benefit you in other ways, too. Clarification/what you want/rethinking 'stuff.' Etc. But you already know that...
xoxo/susan
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your dear dad. hope you're both doing ok. so many people love you! sending positive energy your way!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you and your family all love and luck. I know what it is like to care for family members who are very ill. While it is stressful, and emotionally draining, it's wonderful that you are able to do it, to be with them, and to care for them in a way that no one else could <3
ReplyDeleteTina, I'm so sorry to hear your news.
ReplyDeleteHe's lucky to have you around - I'm glad your work is understanding.
I'm sandwiched right now between taking care of my own family and caring and worrying about my mother who has just been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. I come home, do laundry, iron shirts, make meals and take off again for days.
My heart is with you every step of the way.
love Hazel
My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteTina, I am thinking of you and have been wanting to ask about his status. I am so sorry to hear about his condition. All my
ReplyDeletelove, Charlie
my heart is with you, as are my prayers & hugs.
ReplyDeleteyour father is incredibly lucky to be in your care/love.
xo
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. You are fortunate to be a position where you can take a leave to care for him. I'm sure it means the world and beyond to him.
ReplyDeletePlease remember to take some time for yourself while caring for him. I have been in the situation of caring for an ill relative and it's draining. You have to find your small joys to keep you going everyday. I think your blog will help with this...
You and your father are in my thoughts...
Difficult days. I am so very sorry and will have you in my thougths.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your father - you will be so thankful that you have spent this time together. I will keep him (and you) in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteKeep being brave, Tina! Spend as much time as possible with your father. I'm sure you'll be missed at the newspaper. I'm glad you've decided to keep posting on this. Take care.
ReplyDeletexx
Suzette
I don't think you'll ever regret this decision... this time is priceless! Sending warm thoughts and wishes.
ReplyDeleteYour dear papa will find great comfort in having his little girl close by...you are so selfless! My thoughts are with you and your Dad.
ReplyDeletebreath by breath, moment by moment, love and well wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteTina..
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your dad illness.I hope he will get well soon and you must takecare of yourself.
love
Mag
Sending you courage during these difficult times. I'm sure it was a tough decision to take time away from work, but you're so brave.
ReplyDeleteYou and your dad are in my thoughts.
Work can be put on hold, family cannot. You're doing the right thing. Hang in there. I love your beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts for healing and peace and glimpses of grace in such a difficult time. I love your blog too, thanks for sharing the personal side of life with all of us.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Tina, so sorry to hear about your father. Doubtless the Times' loss will be his gain.
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, dear heart. Let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you.
Much love,
Monica
I'm sending warm and positive thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers are with you Tina!
ReplyDeletei am so sorry....i am thinking of you and sending you my prayers. xo nina
ReplyDeleteWishing only the best for you and your dad (as well as the rest of your family).
ReplyDeletePlease know that you make each day of my life better.
I dearly love your blog and your creative spirit. Just know that loved ones are always with you and that your gifts came from them. Use those gifts in trying times to give you comfort, it's like a hug from someone dear.
ReplyDeleteI was in your shoes a year ago. Caring for an ailing parent is a difficult task, both physically and emotionally, and my heart goes out to you. Cherish the time you have left with him.
ReplyDeleteoh, tina, i'm so sorry to hear that. he must love having you close to him. please let us know if there's anything we can do. we are all thinking of you and your sweet family. lots of love, joanna
ReplyDeleteThank you for your amazing comments...i love you guys...so much, so much...
ReplyDeleteTina this blog and your creativity inspire me constantly. Keep breathing, we're sending you lots of good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is simply beautiful. My heart, soul and prayers are with you and your father <3
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Tina. Please let us know if you guys need any help - Alan and Laura and kids
ReplyDeleteTina, I'll be thinking about you and hoping for your dad's health problem to resolve. Best, Thierry
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your father. Thinking of you both.
ReplyDeleteI think family is very important and I believe you're decision to spend more time with your dad is very wise, kind and caring. I hope your days together are very happy and I wish your dad (and your family) all the best.
ReplyDeleteas always, thinking about you and your dad. he will love you being near him. thinking positive/warm thoughts for you both!
ReplyDeleteDear Tina,
ReplyDeleteI think it wise to take your time with your Father. Remember, you are loved, and are thoughts of support are with you everyday. xxoo Laurie
So sorry you're going through this, Tina, but glad you've made the decision to take time off while you do. Stay strong, look after yourself as well as your dad, and continue to find beauty in the everyday — it refreshes the spirit.
ReplyDeleteLori
He's fortunate to have such a great daughter (and from what you have written, it goes both ways).
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. Your dad is lucky to have you. I'm pretty sure my friend's father was diagnosed with this same disease some time ago, and the good news is he is doing very well. My thoughts are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this about your dad. This blog community thing is a wonderful, comforting thing. We're all praying for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThinking positive thoughts for you and your dad.
ReplyDeletei am so sorry about your father. i will keep both of you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry to hear about your dad...I am thinking of you all and hope he is as comfortable as possible. You're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to read this. I hope that you can have some quality time with him. What a brave thing for you to do! You're in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear about this. my thoughts and prayers are with you, take care.
ReplyDeletethinking of you and your family! sending you lots of love and warmth
ReplyDelete