Burrell, my deep sympathies. I wasn't as physically close to the situation when my oldest sister died, but, well, sympathies.

Burrell, so many sympathies. You, too, KateP.

CHRIST I just ate a mini Kit Kat and my head is trying to break for the hills. I wonder how long it will take for me to analyse cause and effect?

Huh. I just got my first actually useful message on LinkedIn -- an HR person from an impressive and exciting organization that is hiring.

So sorry, Burrell.

Went to chiro, spent 20 minutes with electro-stims on my ankle and calf, and the swelling went down quite noticably! Doc gave me my exercises and permission to walk with one crutch and to get as much range of motion back as soon as possible writing the alphabet with my foot. Yay one crutch! Stairs? So much easier (and safer). Then told me horror stories of the sports injuries he's treated that were a billion times more swollen than mine. Also got a very painful massage.

Burrell, so much sympathy for you and your sister, and Kate, I'm so sorry for your loss. ita !, I hope that letter lights a fire under your doctors' butts.

My problems are small. I can't stop coughing, I spent the day in bed answering work emails on my phone, and now I'm sitting here waiting for a guy from Freecycle to come pick up the doghouse I'm getting rid of, and he's three hours late. Dammit, why can't people do what they say they'll do? I want to go back to bed.

Is there a chance you and your other sister can push back and ask to try another treatment, if that is something you want?

I know this isn't what you are saying, but somehow I feel so strongly about it, I need to respond to the idea of "what I want" in this situation. It's not about me or what I want--which is actually pretty selfish if I'm being honest with myself--I feel like my role here is to support what she wants. She wants to try more treatment if she can, so that's what I'll support. I don't think she's physically up to the task of taking it right now, which is heartbreaking, but I am hoping she can get stronger and try again.

Also I really want to not cry at work, which is getting harder to do. Esp when you all are so nice to me and I'm feeling kind of vulnerable. eep.

Burrell, I'm sorry. It is so tough watching a loved one go through this, and I'm glad we can be here for you.

Thanks Maria, that means so much coming from you.

As others have said before me when they were going through shit, just having a place where I can talk about it helps.

Burrell, I am so sorry. But, yes, having this place is comfort at a time when comforts are rare.

Kate, I am also so sorry to hear about your friend. It's hard.

Then I'm channelling all my ~ma for getting stronger to try more treatment, Burrell.