Fuck cancer.

I hope the prognosis for your sister is good, Connie.

Oh god, Connie. Best wishes to you and your sisters.

It varies, especially depending on the kid's age.

This. My teenage years would probably have been a lot smoother if my father would have just fucked off (as he was, um, requested to do.) Though I don't know what our today relationship would look like.

For my sister (10 yrs younger), I think she would have been wrecked. OTOH, she was pretty wrecked by the constant strife, and by my mother being so constantly on the edge due to all of that, so?

Hmmm... I've been swayed to the Hec and Steph position but I've also been convinced there are exceptions.

There has been some further research, which I don't have to time to Google a link that shows the reverse. Even without abuse, if there is a lot of tension between the parents, the kids are better off with a divorce rather that "staying together for the sake of the kid".

I've been swayed to the Hec and Steph position

FTR, I don't believe that parents should stay together just for the kids. I do, however, believe that after divorce, one parent shouldn't just take off and ignore the kids in favor of his/her shiny new life.

but I've also been convinced there are exceptions.

As always.

2. I may have skimmed, but I missed the ages of asshole!Dad's kids, and Barb's age when her dad left.

I was eleven when my parents separated although my first words to my mother when she broke the news of the divorce to me were, "It's about time."

Apparently, my precociousness and cynicism go way, way back.

Connie, much ~ma for your sister.

I believe that people who are douchenozzles - or even latent douchenozzles - should not have kids. It's not about you anymore, assholes!

It would be nice if there was a little obscure birthmark someplace that would let you identify the latent ones before it was too late.

Fuck cancer, indeed.

Connie, the American Cancer Society's site is a good resource. Here's the uterine cancer section: [link] Her treatment is going to depend on her staging. It looks like they typically use several drugs I've had, so I'd be glad to send her Ginger's Guide to Avoiding Nausea and Mouth Sores. Chemo can be bad, but for most people it's not the dreadful beast they show on television. There's also a whole lot of crazy on the internet with regard to cancer and chemo. (There's a whole lot of crazy about everything, but this is crazy that can kill people.)

I was eleven when my parents separated although my first words to my mother when she broke the news of the divorce to me were, "It's about time."

Heh, I was 15, and said the exact same thing. (I also asked why they hadn't done it 10 years ago.) I had also had 4 root canals that day, and then promptly went to a hockey game.

Are hair plugs involved yet? I would love it if he got hair plugs.

Tattoo and/or earrings as well.

Don't forget the required uniform for any douchenozzle: the Ed Hardy clothing.

And that includes the night I spent in a bar with an Irishman, a Scot, a New Zealander, two Welshmen and several Brits.

Someone needs to make a joke out of that....

I have no memory of my parents being together, so I honestly can't say what difference it would or would not have made.

On the other hand, I totally agree with Jess wrt Thanksgiving green beans.