Joelle...

Sounds like your plate is FULL!!! Wrap it up and put it in the fridge, and deal with it little by little.

While, I don't condone premarital sex (well, THAT is the mom in me...LOL we won't discuss what *I* did before marriage ) At least he is 17 (wow, that is old for a boy) and at least he is mature enough to use protection. Make sure you discuss with them what this means with the possibility of STDs and preggos (things happen even with protection). Make sure they are both aware of possible consequences. Good for you for having that open line of communication.

Hugs to DH. I hope they can get it under control. They dx;d my sis 15 years ago, and she was at death's door. It wasn't common back then (at least it took them long enough to dx her). By the time they figured it out, she needed a bag. She had it for 2 years, and they figured for life. She was able to get it reversed... and has been in remission since.

Take a few hours/days just for you. Tell your son he owes you a dinner or something since he thinks he is grown up enough (add a bit of humor).

Hope you feel better being able to talk about it. Hope your load starts easing a bit!

Joellelee, you definitely have a platter-full of life challenges, don't you?

Wish I lived close by and you could use my shoulder whenever you wanted.

Hugs to you and your dear Mom.

Hugs to all Joellelee... you have a lot going on, please remember to take care of yourself as well.

Thanks so much everybody !!

I've been talking to both of my boys/men (my oldest is almost 21) about sex openly since they were small.

Believe me when I say my sons, know ALL of the consequences of sex, . I have been drumming it into their heads forever, lol.

Since my mom got a cancer dx in February, it feels like our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. With her living a 1000 miles away from me, it has been so difficult flying back and forth from Florida to Pittsburgh. Now with Tim sick too, I have had to take over a lot of things that he was doing before. My boys are definitely helping but they are going through a lot too. They grew up very close with my mom.

I have NO family here in Florida. They all live in the Pittsburgh area. We are totally on our own here. I have a couple of friends that have MS also that live nearby but other than that we have nobody. We've only lived in South Florida for 2 1/2 years. It's tough to make friends when you aren't working or doing much else.

I'm having a really hard time with Tim's illness. I feel selfish. He's always been the one that I can count on when I feel terrible.

My husband works in a physically demanding job. He has not been to work in a month. Fortunately, he has short term disability. We both work/worked for the same company!! I was diagnosed last May (I was just approved for LTD) and now he has Crohn's along with our son! I'm betting they are plotting on how to get rid of my dh right now ! Thank goodness we are both union employees. Tim is such a hard worker. I know this is just about killing him being this ill and not going to work. So far they have been very understanding .

I miss you guys, I'm gonna try to post every day ! It'll keep my spirits up for sure.

Joellee~ You know how saddened I am about your Mother. I know how hard things are for you right now. Seems like everyone needs you, and there's just so much Joellee to go around. Your emotions are really being spread thin.

I can't make anything better for you, but I can say that I understand part of how you feel and I am praying for you and your family.

Please make time for yourself even if's it's just a quiet bath w/candles.

Sending prayers and hugs your way.

if it had flowers i would flood the post with flowers for you joelle, I know your plate has been full lately, wish i had magic words for you, please try to find time for yourself, so you dont imploded(ouch) try to take care of you, ok


peace

Joelle

I am sorry about what's going on in your life right now. I understand about the problems of moving into a community and not having family and the difficulties of making friends when you don't have anything in common...it's tough! It's work and when you have health issues like you do...you just don't have the energy ...

You have the support here, you know that.

I called my mom at the hospita yesterday morning. She's decided to halt all treatments. She has fluid in her lungs and around her heart, a c-diff infection, massive sweling in her legs, and a lot of pain. I totally support her decision as do the rest of the family. I'm still a 1000 miles away from her because I have to be here for my dh and drive my son to the gastro tomorrow. I'm really scared that I won't get to see my mom again. I wish I had known before I left Pittsburgh that it would probably have been the last time we'd be together. I'm very worried about my dad. They've been married for 44 years. I can tell over the phone how despondent he is, which is perfectly natural. I wish I could be there for him too. OMG this is just so surreal to me. I feel like a mouse on one of those stupid wheels. Running in place and getting nowhere fast. Sorry agan guys. I hope to be back to my silly self some day .