Gonna be a rough one this holiday

[JH27N0B]

I'm certainly not in the holiday mood this year at all.  One of my sisters daughters has been battling cancer for 3 years now and isn't doing well.
She has been in New York getting treatment at Sloan Kettering, my brother in law was staying with her, and they haven't been home in 6 weeks.  She can't fly, so he rented a car and drove them back a few days ago to spend xmas here.  I talked to my mom last night, and she said my niece had some problems after getting back, and is back in the hospital here in Chicago.  They are unsure if she'll be able to be at home tomorrow or have to be in the hospital.  My sisters mother in law had seen my niece after she got back and said she looks really bad, lost a lot of weight, pale, very weak. 
I've been stressed out too aside from my niece's health, laid off from my job in September.  Doing OK financially, but it occurred to me I've been out of work 3 out of the last 6 Christmas seasons, so this repeating story for me is getting real old!  My phone has been ringing off the hook in recent weeks with job inquiries, had an interview this week, and one the week before, so I suspect this latest period of unemployment will not last long.  But the stress of job hunting, thoughts of the stress of starting a new job, the memories of my jobs in recent years, with no security looking over my shoulder every day wondering when the axe will fall on me, not something I look forward to even though I want to get back to work! Thoughts of jumping back in the fire after getting badly burned several times in recent history is how I'd describe how I am feeling about employment now.
So I just feel sort of sick with all of this going on right now.
Anyway, I hope everyone and your families are in good health this Christmas.  Make sure you hug your kids, and if you think of it, a prayer for my niece Shea would be very appreciated!

[brads70]

Sorry to hear this. Prayers sent! 
I "sort of" know the feeling we got a call yesterday telling us my wifes Aunt just got work that she has terminal liver cancer and it's spread through her body , so there is nothing they can do. My Father in-law
 ( here from PA) is sort of shook up over it.
I too know what it's like to loose your job. Been there a few times in the last 5 years. Started my own buisness , it's going "ok" thin at times though.
Hope you find some comfort knowing your not alone!
Keep your chin up!
Brad

[torredcuda]

I enjoy getting together with friends and family but otherwise never have much holiday spirit but you are not alone as a few of us here have been going thur rough times.I lost my father to cancer ealier this year so that alone makes for a tough holiday season.I have also gone thru a divorce the last couple years and am broke an living in am apartment because of it.The only godd thing is we actually just got busy at work and hopefully it will last more than just January.
Happy Holidays! 

[Sonnythebull]

Hang in there things will get better

[AARCUDADEN]

I enjoy getting together with friends and family but otherwise never have much holiday spirit but you are not alone as a few of us here have been going thur rough times.I lost my father to cancer ealier this year so that alone makes for a tough holiday season.I have also gone thru a divorce the last couple years and am broke an living in am apartment because of it.The only godd thing is we actually just got busy at work and hopefully it will last more than just January.
Happy Holidays! 

Rough one here too guys and has been for the past few years for me. Only this time around i'm jobless and worrying bout how i'll pay my bills. Couldn't have happened at the worst time too with winter and my Cuda torn apart  Some American dream some of us live    JH27 i'm really sorry to hear of your nieces health and i can't even imagine what your family is going thru right now. I wish her all the best and your family as well 

[JH27N0B]

I got some semi good news a little while ago when I heard from my mom.  She said my niece is back home, that my sister told her the hospital visit was pre-planned, so maybe not as bad as I feared.  However she is just sitting around watching movies at their house, still not eating anything.  She has been wasting away for many months now.  They gave her a feeding tube last month, however she was found to have a punctured lung recently, that is why she couldn't fly.  The doctors don't know how that happened, though think they may have done it accidently when they put in the feeding tube.
To add insult to injury, one of my sisters dogs was diagnosed with cancer recently, and is terminal.  How much grief can one family take??
I appreciate the support from you guys, its good to know I'm not alone.  BTW, if anyone still has a few bucks that they earmarked for charity that they haven't spent yet,  a charity that helps fight pediatric cancer would be a very worthy cause.  It seems breast cancer gets the most attention when it comes to cancer charities, and that is good that they have been so successful raising money.  But cancer that strikes children who should have their whole lives ahead of them, is certainly the most cruel of cancers.  My niece was diagnosed with Hodgkin s Lymphoma only a few weeks before she was to start high school in the summer of 2008.  She has spent much of her high school years in hospitals, getting some tutoring, and sometimes able to attend classes, but mostly laid up.  It's terrible.  And you don't hear much about charities to raise funds to help fight childhood cancer, they don't get the publicity they should.
There is another local charity here that is similar to Make a Wish, called Cal's Angels, that was started by a family after their 12 year old son died of Leukemia, to provide wishes for ill children. 95 cents of each dollar they receive goes to help the kids.
Hopefully 2012 will bring better days!

[AARCUDADEN]

Glad to hear shes home for Christmas  And your right there should be more for childhood cancers. Adults battling this horrible disease is one thing but a child is worse yet. God bless her and all family     

[torredcuda]

Cancer is terrible at any age but especially cruel when they are so young.

[Chryco Psycho]

Sorry to hear this , The timing of christmas can be bad I lost my Dad shortly after Christmas a decade ago & have either worked through or been out of work Life is not fair but you work your way through & life goes on . Make the best of it.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Brad , I wish you better days buddy. These things always are harder around the holidays. We're all here for you, hang in there!

[JH27N0B]

Hey Chris I was thinking of you last week, when I had a job interview up in Racine.  A bit over an hour drive from my house ~55 miles, so not excited about the thought of doing that as a daily commute, but we'll see!  I'm also supposed to have a interview in a couple weeks in Gurnee for a contract to hire job, thats near the WI border.  May end up being up near your area someday soon!
My folks went to a Xmas eve party at my sister's in laws last night, and told me my niece looked real bad.  Hardly talking and no energy.  So when my sisters family showed up for xmas at my folks this afternoon, I was pleased to see that she was very talkative and in good spirits.  She was much better today than yesterday night.  My brother in law is optimistic the treatments she is getting in NY are helping.
My sister was not doing well though, everything going on has really gotten to her.  She is depressed and upset about my brother in law and niece heading back to NY in a few days and the family being separated.  I am worried about her, but like the situation with my niece, I don't know anything I can do to help, and the feeling of helplessness is frustrating to me.
My folks gave me a couple hundred bucks for xmas to use toward front seat covers for my vert, an update that has been on my todo list, so this week I will shop the end of year sales and figure out if I need coachman or regal grain.  I always feel better when I have a mission, and reupholstering my front seats will give me something productive to do next month!  I redid my TA's front buckets around 10 years ago, it was a tough job, but they sure look great, too bad that car never has got finished so I can put the seats in the car!  I also got a big bottle of Makers Mark which may cheer me up too!
I'm glad Christmas is over, hopefully next Christmas both my niece and my sister are in better shape, and I'll be gainfully employed. Fingers crossed.