ND, insent with parameters. Thank you so much.

My mother was all "Aren't any of your internet friends men? You know how they like to talk about cars."

She was in much better spirits last night than before. My sister, on the other hand, is on the brink of total collapse. She's been running at 150% since she heard the news. She's been digesting all the doctor's information, disseminating the news to friends and family, and generally waiting on Mummy hand and foot.

She even set up a Skype video call so I could see Mummy in person, and she was standing there stroking our mother's hair.

This is so terribly hard on her. I really hope it doesn't get worse. When she implodes, she really implodes. I'm not sure I know how to be there for her. Her relationship with my father will be strongly tested. They're much more contentious, but Daddy has been stellar during this as well. I feel vaguely useless.

Thank you guys so much for the well wishes and support. It really makes a huge difference. It's mostly what's keeping me from being a complete basket case.

Huh. Now I need to look up the etymology of basket case. Can't be anything good.

Huh. Now I need to look up the etymology of basket case. Can't be anything good.

Yeah, it's disturbing. I don't know if you want to dig that up.

I know it's hard to be far away, but remember that most of what you can do now is moral support anyway, and you can do -- and are doing -- that from where you are.

My massage was really stellar, and I bought the membership thing because they were having a sale which makes it a really good deal. I have to believe spending this money is worthwhile. But maybe I won't go shoe shopping like I was thinking about doing.

Okay, basket case is out of my vernacular. That's gross.

most of what you can do now is moral support anyway

I figure that making her laugh, and making my father and sister laugh, is the best thing I can do right now. Even when I don't feel like laughing. *Especially* when I don't feel like laughing. I've been calling every day since I found out, but I'll ease up on that, since it's a bit crowding. I'll call tomorrow, since it's my normal call-home day, and I'll call Monday so I can see how she's doing after the surgery.

That sounds good, ita. I know how hard it can be to try to be support from a distance, but it sounds like you're making the right efforts and that they're doing well considering.

I figure that making her laugh, and making my father and sister laugh, is the best thing I can do right now.

Absolutely.

ita !, it's really hard to be far away when your family needs you. It sucks. A listening ear is a good thing, and some humor, too. I'm glad your mom is in better spirits.

Being away is really hard. But thank god for technology, right? You get to see her, anyway, and your dad and your sister.

Laughter is also a really good thing, all around.

I'm sorry I looked up the etymology of basket case, too.

Okay, basket case is out of my vernacular. That's gross.

I figure that making her laugh, and making my father and sister laugh, is the best thing I can do right now.

Also, we haven’t seen you in ages (since the reception, I think?) and would love to take you out to dinner some night. I know you can’t make plans too far in advance, but please know the offer is open. (And don’t I work really close to your apartment? Maybe you and I could meet some night.) If you’d rather not have company, that’s also completely fine.

I'm going to avoid looking up basket case, so forgive me if I keep using it.