Thanks folks. Yeah, it sounds like we've been through similar things Burrell. Somehow Mom is still going. She's now officially on hospice, but she could be on that for a long time the way things have been.

ION, classes have started on top of everything else and I think I mostly have my stuff prepped for tomorrows class at one school (second class meeting on this one) but I still have to put together my syllabus for the other class which meet on Monday at a different school and I just can't get myself to do it.

I finally found people who could cover my classes on the High Holidays. That took much longer than it should have -- a lot of the people I asked never responded, even to say no.

Not sure how much sleep I'll get tonight. Every time I move, I end up at least wincing in pain. No way I can get through tomorrow without people noticing.

I'm sorry you're in such pain, Hil. May it calm down and let you get through tomorrow easier.

He wasn't the one that was supposed to go first, alas, that's the way it goes sometimes.

Growing up we always assumed Mom would go first because of various health issues she had earlier in life. Lost dad at 62. It always sucks whether it was what we anticipated or not.

I operate under the assumption that DH being 11 years younger will be around to take care of me. Imma just going to keep on thinking that!

I hope you get some good rest and that tomorrow is a better day, Hil. Moving and start of school year and more is catching up with your body. Hope you get a break soon.

We can be sisters in pain, Hil. I had my injections today of a monthly chemo that for obscure reasons causes my leg muscles to go into painful spasms. After last month's experience, I have pain killers and water next to my bed. I also am on some other drugs that might help. It's always an adventure.

I always assumed I would be taking care of my sister, who needs a keeper. Instead, I'll need that caretaker. Damn. I forgot to have children.

Ugh Hil, that makes me frustrated on your behalf. I personally think it's crappy that you even need to ask for coverage. We get to cancel up to 3 classes per semester, no question asked as long as we cover all the necessary material.

Yeah, it sounds like we've been through similar things Burrell.

Yup. Not in a good way. Ping me if you ever need someone to vent to.

Ugh Hil, that makes me frustrated on your behalf. I personally think it's crappy that you even need to ask for coverage. We get to cancel up to 3 classes per semester, no question asked as long as we cover all the necessary material.

We're not given any sort of limit on how many we can cancel, just told not to cancel if at all possible. And I don't really want to cancel for something where I can plan in advance, since I know that it's likely that I'll have at least one or two days when I need to cancel for medical reasons without much advance notice.

We can be sisters in pain, Hil. I had my injections today of a monthly chemo that for obscure reasons causes my leg muscles to go into painful spasms. After last month's experience, I have pain killers and water next to my bed. I also am on some other drugs that might help. It's always an adventure.

Ugh. My painkillers are kicking in some, so my pain is back down to about a 4 or 5 (it was maybe verging on 8 before). Tomorrow is an exam day for my calc students, so I'm teaching 8-11 and 2:30-3:30, office hours in between, and then supervising the exam from about 4 to 6, and then all the professors are grading the exams together afterwards. (And we're also going to be ordering in "pizza or something," which means that I probably have to be prepared to explain to people that I'm vegan, and then deal with all those questions in addition to the questions about the walker and about the fact that, by the time we get to the grading part of the evening, I know I'm not going to be able to hide the fact that I'm in pain.)

At least I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow. I hope your day goes better than anticipated, Hil.

Connie, I hear you: as heartbreaking as it was to lose both my parents quickly in the space of three years, it could have been so much worse. "It's always sudden" is not without its blessings.

I'm sorry, Hil. Much general coping~ma to you; I'll be thinking good thoughts for you tomorrow.

Love, fist-bumps of solidarity, virtual mimosas, and lots of good vibes to folks who need or want 'em. Take your pick, there's plenty.