Developments?

The amniocentesis was ... I don't want to say it was a lie, but ... let's just say it may or may not happen. When I asked my sister-in-law when it was scheduled she said her doctor was not really going to "schedule" it, he was just going to "do" it afterhours one day, because he "knows her financial situation". So, anyway, I asked her how long she would have to wait for the results. She said, "Oh, I will get them right away". What a ditz. I looked the procedure up at www.mayoclinic.com and found out that they can determine fetal maturity from amniotic fluid immediately (and so determine a due date), but that real results about genetic or developmental defects takes up to 14 days. It didn't sound like something a kind-hearted doctor would do after clinic hours and without any support staff.

She is quite determined to keep the child, and has started talking about names, etc.

Privately, I don't believe she is pregnant. I think she is telling everyone this to jerk some sympathy out of her parents, who long ago lost any sympathy they felt for her. She won't even try to help herself, so why should they knock themselves out trying to help her? I figure that in a couple of months, she will tell everyone that she miscarried.

(I really must work on this cynicism.)

Arrivederci

Days of our Lives

I wonder if I could tell my life story to someone for a feature film? Talk about plot twists . . . my sister-in-law is pregnant! Yes, the same sister-in-law who is 41 years old, is an active alcoholic/drug addict, has been unemployed and basically homeless for nearly two years, and who lost custody of her 13-year-old adopted son almost a year ago!

Now, she hasn't ruled out abortion, but she has always wanted to "experience pregnancy and give birth". This may well be her only chance, so I don't see her going that route. (She was told that scarring from pelvic inflammatory disease had made her permanently unable to conceive, so she has NEVER used any birth control and decided to adopt. Surprise!) Her parents are solidly against abortion, and would just as soon raise another of their grandchildren themselves as see her give the child up for adoption. If they went the latter route, they would be in their 80's when the child turned 20! And, this raises the spectre of my husband and I being called upon to assume custody should his parents' health fail.

Sis-in-Law is scheduled for an amniocentesis next week. After that, the debate might all be academic, depending on what the doctor recommends.

Hey, does anyone know how to contact "Days of our Lives"??

Ciao.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I see it! I see the light! The light at the end of the tunnel, that is. My hubby has finished his all of the coursework to become a clinical laboratory technician and starts his six-month long clinicals, tomorrow! He is so excited to (finally) be working in a laboratory again. He was happiest when he worked in a chemical laboratory many years ago, before the addiction and drugs destroyed everything. He always had in his mind to get back to a laboratory environment one day, but he wandered so far off course, that he just didn't know how. So, he will finally have his Associate Degree in Clinical Laboratory Technology when he has completed his clinical training. Hooray!

So, now it's time for me to thank all of the people whose intervention and support made this possible. First of all, thank you Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office. If you hadn't intervened in April 2005, he would be dead right now. Many of our friends didn't make it. You forced him to admit that he needed help, and then you offered him that help. And the Vernon Parish Drug Court Program/Ms. Kim--you never pulled any punches and you expected more of him than he knew he could give. He will never forget your support and kindness. Red River Treatment Center--Absolutely necessary, and not a pleasant place, but one that he still talks about to this day! You freed him from the grip of active addiction and gave him the tools that he needs to stay clean. And I can't forget his parents. Wow, you were there, always. You have let us live with you for the better part of three years, rent-free, while we get our lives back together. I have griped and moaned and been aggravated about having to live here, but I appreciate the opportunity, more than you know.

To everyone. Thank you. So, that's where we are.

Now. On to other (unrelated) things. I am SO tired of hearing about ObamaClintonMcCain. I truly used to enjoy watching the evening news programs, but I am not excited about any of our candidates for President, right now. I don't want to hear it. For the first time in my adult life, I am suffering from voter apathy. I don't know if I can make myself go to the polls in November. It is the dreaded debilitating condition known on some blogs as "Electile Dysfunction".

All I want to hear is what they plan to do about the high price of gasoline and illegal immigrants.

And they ain't talking.

Ciao.