Thursday, August 20, 2015

A New Orchid - Show and Tell Friday

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 Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!  Thank you all for the warm comments you left two weeks ago and sorry for not posting last week!  My ex-husband was released from the hospital last Friday so we were still going to the hospital every night after work last week and I didn't have time to write a post.

  Joe is staying with us for now and he seems to be doing okay although he's not eating much and he's very tired. We don't know how much time we have left with him. He has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  There is no cure.  I'm happy that he is here and that Lauren has this precious time with her dad.  The first week after the diagnosis was really hard but now we are settling into it and making the best of the time we have left with him. He's staying in Lauren's room and she's sleeping with me but she got really sick this week with 101 degree fever so I've been sleeping on the sofa the last 3 nights so I don't catch it! I sure hope I can stay healthy but I feel a twinge of a sore throat tonight so I'm getting a little worried.

Sorry I try to keep my blog positive and happy but there are some things that are important to share.  If you or anyone you know is losing weight for no apparent reason please see a doctor right away. Joe had lost his appetite and had been losing weight for months before he was diagnosed. He also started having a pain in his upper right abdomen. He then got to the point where he couldn't keep any food down but he thought he had the stomach flu (almost two weeks of this).  It was actually the tumor blocking the bottom of his stomach so he couldn't digest any food.  These are all signs of pancreatic cancer but we didn't know that until he got jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) and we took him to the doctor.  I'm not sure it would have made a lot of difference but I wish he would have gone to the doctor months ago. I'm sharing this so you all know the symptoms.

Okay...now on to Show and Tell Friday...

This week I'm sharing this beautiful orchid that someone brought him.  It's huge! It has another branch of buds above the one that you can see.

I'll do my best to find something to post about every week but I know you will understand if I miss a week here and there.  


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Thanks to all of you that join in on Show and Tell Friday every week and thanks to all of you who leave such nice comments! 
 If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. If you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common courtesy link back to my blog.

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37 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry you and Lauren are going through this - I lost a close friend to this - it's hard - very very hard.
Much love from Montreal.
( and thanks for hosting Cindy )

Moggie said...

Cindy
I was so sorry to hear about your ex-husband, and I know what a hard time it must be for all of you right now. It’s not my place to say, but I’ll say it anyway: this is your blog and you’re free to write about whatever you want or need to write about.

We all love your decorating, but there is much more to life than that; you’ve pointed that out in many of your posts, and that always left me with a very positive feeling. I always liked to read about your weekends out with the girls and whatever else you had going on.

Now it’s something very hard that you are dealing with, and I think (I hope) your readers will be there for you.

All the best to you during this difficult time.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for the party!
Hugs,
Deb

Anonymous said...

Hugs and kisses Cindy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

Joy Junktion said...

Continuing to pray for your family, Cindy! What a true gift of grace you have extended to your ex-husband and a testimony of Godly love! May God bless your time together! Blessings, Cindy

Lynda said...

So tragic, what a kind and brave thing you are doing. I'm sending love and prayers to you and Lauren and her dad.

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

I was 25 and my dad was 44 when he died....colon cancer. My heart goes out to your family....hugs & prayers...

Cindy said...

The gal that gave Joe the orchid came by for a visit tonight. I didn't even know who had given it to him. It's an old friend of his from high school. The positive from all this is I get to me so many of his wonderful friends that he's had for years. Some of them I had met once or twice when we were married twenty-something years ago. I asked the gal where she got the gorgeous orchid and she said "Whole Foods". Joe is lucky to have so many friends that have come by the hospital and my apartment to visit him.

Anne's Attic - Design said...

Karen I am so sorry that things aren't going to great right now. But it will pass and you will come through it well. Thank you for taking the time to host the party today. Hugs, Jo

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Sending you prayers and your family, my friend. Have faith in our Lord.
Thank you so much for hosting even now.
Have a blessed weekend.
FABBY

French pretties said...

Thanks for a party. This time sharing linen bags. Have a nice weekend Cindy. Monika

My Cozy Casita said...

SENDING YOU BLESSING AND PRAYERS, I LOST MY MOM FEBRUARY 11 WITH PC TO SO SORRY ABOUT MY MOM LOT HER APPETITE, YOU HAS TO BE VERY STRONG WITH THIS WEN YOU SEE HIS COLOR CHANGE YELLOW GO TO THE HOSPITAL IS THE HIS LIVER IS NOT WORKING AND THE BILIRUBIN GO UP MY GOD CINDY SO SORRY IM SO SAD I MISS MY MOM SO MUCH.
SHE WAN'T READY TO GO THE SAME DAY SHE WAS RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL SHE PASS.
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BE IN PRAYER.
BLESSING
ISORA
XOX

Calypso In The Country said...

Sending prayers to you and your family. I know this must be such a difficult time for you all to go through. Take care and cherish every moment you have with him.
Shelley

Kim said...

Thank you for party, especially during this very difficult time. I am sending prayers to you all, especially to your daughter. I lost my dad to cancer when I was a young girl and it was not easy. This time together is precious, I wish you all strength and hope you find some joy in these days together.

Katherines Corner said...

Sending hugs and prayers xo

gigilambert said...

You probably to need to talk to someone and we are here to listen. That is what friends are for. Even though you don't know most of us, you have let us in. Sometimes it is easier to talk to strangers and what better platform then this. Life is not always a bed of roses and painted furniture. Sometimes it is death and hard knocks. What you are doing is really hard and heartbreaking. I am truly amazed and proud at strong women like you. I have seen lots of women who have taken care of their ex husbands during their last days. My daughter in law's mother moved her ex in and nursed him without help and money for the last two years. There is a special place in heaven for her, you and all those special women. Stay strong and hopefully we can help you through this.

sheri said...

You are a good person, Cindy. As others have said, we feel that we know you and you're a friend. Sorry for this difficult time for you and your family. Hang in there and I hope you get to check in with us once in a while.

This N That said...

Boy, He really let it go..Probably denial..Pancreatic cancer is hard to catch early enough to cure but you gave some good advice..I know you all are going through a tough time...Just try to keep him comfortable..I'm sure you are doing that.Make every minute count...

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

May God bless you all in these precious days ahead.

Curtains in My Tree said...


It's good you all can be together his last weeks to say things you want him to hear.
So sorry anybody has to endure this
i really don't what to say

Lou Lou Girls said...

Hello gorgeous! Thank you so much for hosting such a fabulous party! Please take a minute and stop by our party. We would love to party with you twice this week! Lou Lou Girls

Jen said...

More hugs and prayers Cyndi. I'll say an extra prayer for you to stay healthy through the difficult weeks ahead. Take care

Shell said...

Cindy, I feel for you and your family right now. This is such a difficult situation. Sending you all much love. Miracles do happen. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Cindy! I'm so sorry about all of this and how kind you are to have Lauren's father stay with you. Prayers for you and your family. Hoping Lauren gets well soon and you don't get sick yourself.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Home on the Corner said...

I'm glad you and your daughter will have this time to spend with her dad. Those memories are very precious. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry about what you and your family is going through. Thanks so much for the party.

Karen said...

I'm so sorry Cindy, I know what a hard time this is. My older brother had pancreatic cancer, same symptoms and he put off going to the Dr. for months. Treasure the time you and your daughter have to spend with him.

Unknown said...

Cindy,

sending prayers your way. My father unexpectedly passed last month of colon cancer (one month after finding out). What your ex did, my dad did too. It hurts all around. Just wished I had more time... cherish your time.

michele@Portlandia Vintage said...

We are all more than blogs and posts. Your sharing your personal experience reminds us we are real people living lives that have joy and sorrow. This is an important time for your and Lauren caring for her father. May this be deep moments for you all.

Julie said...

"Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friend." Even though the marriage did not work out, your love for each other is demonstrated in your compassion and care for him and your generosity of spirit for both him and your daughter. Praying God will really bless this time together and you'll all see healing moments of spirit and soul, even as his spirit is preparing for eternity. Sending love and prayers. - Julie

The Vintage Chateau said...

I am so sorry to hear about the the trials you are going through. We appreciate the party that you host each week and the fun we get from it. Sending prayers your way.
Karee

Unknown said...

Hi Cindy - just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and your daughter.
Have no idea what stage your at.............but I'm thinking of you both.
Hugs
xxx too

Thelma said...

So sorry to hear about your hard times. My youngest sister is battling ovarian cancer and going through treatment at the present time. Thanks for your advice on symptoms on pancreatic cancer. We feel if my sister had went to the Dr. sooner, she would not have been so far advanced. My thoughts are with you xo.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cindy, so sorry you're all going through this. It is really something special that the three of you are spending this time together. You're in the thoughts and prayers of sooo many.

While I Linger said...

Missing your lovely posts. Praying that the time is being cherished.

Unknown said...

Missing you and your blog! Praying and sending positive thoughts your way as you all journey on this path with Lauren's father! You are a true treasure to be there for her dad in his time of need! Blessings, Sheryl

NanaDiana said...

God bless you as you walk the path you are on. It is so hard to watch someone and not be able to do a darned thing to help them...except offer them the loving support you have for them. I am so glad Lauren has this time with her dad. She/you will never regret being there to usher him through these last days of life.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most insidious cancers out there. It hides under many guises and any cure that comes is a pure miracle. Thanks for putting the message out there about what to watch for. xo Diana