First, the good: My mom misspoke when she said "centimeters", she meant "millimeters". Turns out there was also a blood clot stuck on the tumor, which my dad passed yesterday morning. This made the mass look bigger than it was (19 mm).

Bad news: the tumor is malignant cancer, and will have to be removed. Surgery is next Wednesday morning. It is fairly small, at about the size of an eraser. After the surgery, they'll do internal chemo, then let it drain after an hour. 

So, overall, I am a lot less worried than I was yesterday. It's still a serious situation, but not as bad as we thought.

Thanks to everyone for the warm wishes! 

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks. I'm sitting here on the verge of tears, wondering what's going to happen next.

Last Tuesday, my mom called me at work to tell me that my grandma's tumor is malignant cancer. She has to have treatment to shrink the cancer before it can be removed. "Don't borrow trouble," my mom told me, "The doctor said to not worry until there is something to worry about."

Yesterday afternoon, my mom text message me three times in rapid succession.

"First off, your dad is fine. He slipped on the ice while on a fire call, and hurt his shoulder. Not sure if broken, maybe torn rotor cup, MRI when swelling goes down. City will pay, as in line of duty, +workman's comp. Keep you posted."

I messaged her earlier today, to find out how dad was, and to pass along our good wishes.

This afternoon, my mom had to take him back to the ER, because he had blood in his urine. They were concerned that perhaps he had injured a kidney in the fall.

If only.

They did an MRI, and he has a large mass in his bladder. 19cm. He's seeing a specialist tomorrow, and may have to be admitted.

Okay, now I'm shaking.

I could tell that my mom was on the verge of tears, and trying desperately to hold on, but like she said, it's just too much. Her mother, and now maybe my dad.

Life is not fair, I understand this.

My hope is that the fall will have been a fortunate event, in that it helped us catch something early, but the size of this thing is troubling. Right now, I am currently trying to get things done around the house, in case I need to go help my mom, or go to the hospital tomorrow night.

Just sitting here worried, and not sure what to do next...

The Regency Romance Quiz: What kind of Romance Heroine are you?

Lucky you - you are the Belle of the Ball. Looks, wit, charm, accomplishments and money - you have them all. You are the toast of Society, and have received offers from no fewer than three Dukes. There is no-one who does not love you on sight. Sound good? It isn't, because to compensate for these riches, the author has something very nasty indeed in store for you. I mean, she does have to write a novel here, and you can't expect to be happy all the time. So, you have a Dark Secret. Or perhaps a Secret Love for the only man who does not appear to desire you. Or maybe you will be kidnapped, or become embroiled in a scandal, or be wagered and lost by your brother in a card game. The possibilities are endless, but you may be certain of two things. 1) You will not get through this book without some kind of scandal being attached to your name. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. 2) Whatever it is, he (the man of your dreams, that is) will fall in love with you, rescue you, slay your opponents, defy your detractors, marry you and live happily ever after. This is a romance novel, after all.

Going to Riverssance on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!

Yippee!!!!

Now... what to wear.... ;)

Thanks to all for your suggestions! My son took care of this himself yesterday at school. He and his original date are going to meet at the dance and just hang out with everyone, just as friends. This works out well, since he will probably get to the dance a little late, and will have to leave early, as we will be at the Des Moines Faire this weekend (and I do NOT want to deal with a grumpy, no-sleep teenager on Sunday).

No hard feelings from any of the other girls, as they are all friends, and knew that he had asked girl #1 first. 

So, we're safe until the winter semi-formal....