Thanks for the update, Tom. I absolutely understand being too exhausted to do a lot of communicating. She is on my mind a lot. Do your thing, chemo meds!

Thanks for the update, Tom!

Has anyone heard from Gudanov?

Glad to have that update, Tom. Thanks!

Thanks Tom. I hope you're right.

Thanks for letting us know, Tom. Definitely have all my kick-cancer's-ass vibes going amyth's way.

ION, my godamn fucking father. I swear to god. He is also an alcoholic, who's been sober for 15(?) years. And he hasn't actually relapsed, which, good for him. I mean that sincerely. But I knew, I fucking KNEW, that when he talked to my brother he would start going on about how, well, *he's* been able to be sober for 15 years without "slipping," so why can't my brother?

I even TOLD Dad last night to NOT say that to my brother. And what did he do? Yup. He totally went off on my brother about how he's been able to stay sober, so why can't my brother do it? Mother FUCKER. He thinks not relapsing gives him the moral high ground, but I have to say, treating your children like shit because you're a fucking unrestrained narcissist is WAY worse than a relapse.

The good thing is that my brother flat-out told him "You need to stop telling me how you're better than me, because right now it's NOT helping me in my recovery." And it got Dad to shut his fucking mouth, which legitimately stuns me.

I think I need to not talk to my dad for a while. That narcissistic motherfucker.

Apparently my brother's conversation with my mom went shockingly well, so he's batting .500 in Post-Relapse Conversations With Our Nightmare Parents.

He sounds really, really tired. Poor noodle. I think he's on the right track now, though.

And I am going to cope with my feelings by spending a LOT of money at the hair salon so my dirty blonde hair is beachy blonde again.

And also, the Elvis Costello concert is tomorrow night, which we're going to with Hil and flea/Mr. flea, so that should be great. I've never seen him live and I am so damn excited.

Ugh, Teppy. Continued ~ma for your brother. Yay, concert!

Tom, thanks for the update!

Why do I always sit down with my lunch but no napkin? t sigh Thank you faithful t-shirt. You have served me well.

Tep, I'm so glad your brother has you, and the both of you have each other when it comes to your parents.

I heartily endorse the spend money on stuff that makes you feel better method of coping (without going into debt, of course). Honestly? I'd pay good money just for the scalp massage that comes with a cut and color. Massage therapist scalp massages aren't the same for me.

Woo hoo for concerts! Live music is restorative.

Thank you for the update, Tom.

Steph, maybe your brother can focus anger at your dad into his recovery in an "I'll show him!" sort of way? Worked for me in pulling my 7th grade Social Studies grade up to an A at the last minute to spite a teacher I despised.