Life keeps hitting hard

[Charlize]

Our surviving son is in NY today at Sloan Kettering getting surgery on a malignant melanoma on his arm.  He was just injected with a dye which is used to check for any spreading that might have occurred in the rest of his body.  I am upset but am doing my best to be the 'strong" one for my poor wife who is on the point of breakdown.  Thank my Higher Power for AA or i'd be drinking again.  The idea of loosing our son is devastating.  I am so fortunate to have the support of others in the rooms.  Just knowing others are there to help gives a comfort nothing i can do will match.  We lost our other son at the age of 13 to an accident.  19 years later that pain remains.  I don't know if i'd be able to survive that again.  I just have to get past today remembering that drinking only makes it worse.  Any chance of being a help to others disappears with just one drink.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Guest]

Keeping you and yours in my thoughts, Charlize.

 

Huggs,

 

Joann

[Cyndee]

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts Charlize.

May the treatment go well.

Hugs

Cyndi -

[tracy_j]

Keep strong Charlize - wishing you and your family all the best

Love

Tracy

 

[Guest]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Charlize. You and your family are in my thoughts......

[MaryEllen]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Guest Ladyinker]

I am so sorry about both your sons Charlize. I know it is hard to stay strong, and easy to say #%@* IT! and turn to the wrong thing. However, I also know you are stronger than that by the advice you have given me. All my bets thoughts and wishes to you and your family in this very trying time.

 

Erin

[Charlize]

the surgery went well now we are just awaiting the news about if it has spread beyond his arm.  I will ask again that all of you go to a dermatologist for a checkup.  Early detection is critical.  He went because of the problems i was having.  Please do as well.

Thanks for the support.  It helps.  It really does.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Timber Wolf]

Hi Charlise,

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your wife, and your son. I am so glad that the surgery went well. Now I pray that it hasn't spread. In really tough times, wanting to run away and hide with alcohol or other drugs can be very tempting. But we can't be there for those who need us, including ourselves, if we drink. And we can't be strong for others if we don't allow our Higher Power to be strong in us. God bless you and your family.

 

Lots of love and a big, big hug,

Timber Wolf?

Carla?

[Michelle 2010]

Prayers for you and your family Charlize. I heard at a meeting this morning that "the power behind us is stronger than the trouble ahead".  God bless you. 

[MarcieMarie12]

I pray that all is well and he has a speedy recovery!

 

Lots of hugs,

Marcie

[Carolyn Marie]

My thoughts are with you and yours tonight, Charlize.  I hope the news is good. 

((((HUGS))))

Carolyn Marie

[Briana]

Hi Charlize,

I'll certainly keep you and your family in my thoughts.  Above you said, " Any chance of being a help to others disappears with just one drink."  We don't always think that way and sometimes we fail to recognize it, but it is so very true. 

Early in my career I was very fortunate to have a boss who was really good at working with us and developing us.  One morning he asked us to list the 3 most important things in our lives.  We all put the usual answers - our family, God, work, etc.  As he read through them, he had a little smile on his face.  After the last one, he looked up and said, "no one put themselves as number one or even on their list of the top three." 

Long story short, he explained very well how if we don't take care of ourselves, keep ourselves healthy, put ourselves as number one, we won't be of use to any of those things that we think are more important.  We won't be able to help and support our families, we won't be able to serve God, we won't have a job - we'll instead become the burden that we don't want to be.  Please take care of yourself; be strong like you know and we know you are.  :-)

[Jani]

Charlize, know that I am with you.  I recall being in the hospital when my surviving son was in a life threatening accident.  Now that the surgery is over I'm sure you and your wife are breathing normally again.  I hope the tests come back negative.  Thank you for the little PSA, as sometimes we forget to do the things we know are good for us.  

Hugs

Jani

[VickySGV]

Healing Blessings for ALL of you.

[Charlize]

A weight was lifted when my daughter in law texted that the biopsy came back negative.  With any luck only a 12"scar on his arm will be the only sign that a cancer was there.

Thank you all for your support.

Hugs,

Charlize

[tracy_j]

You have made the sun shine here Charlize!

Good news is always welcome

Hopefully the scar will fade in time

Thank you

Tracy x

 

[sparrow]

My though with u and urs

[Jennifer T]

Hang in there Charlize. Great to read that the biopsy was negative!!! Yay!

The world hits us hard. Our measure is in getting back up after each hit.

Thoughts and prayers.

[Michelle 2010]

Wonderful news right before the holidays!  Seeing people get through problems like this without drinking was hugely important to me in early sobriety.  It gave me hope that I might stay sober in my hard times too.

blessings to your family and thank you for being an example..

M