# So I got some bad news on New Years Day (somewhat long) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803 "2009-01-11T16:39:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/61 "2009-01-17T03:09:39Z")
The unsolicited adivice is fine, especially since it sounds like good advice. **StG** , we have already borrowed a portable DVD player. Great minds and all that. 🙂 Thanks for the offer, though. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/62 "2009-01-17T13:27:23Z")
Keep the updates coming – y’all are both very much in my thoughts, as well as my prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/63 "2009-01-21T05:38:07Z")
The update is that things have been rough. Rick developed pneumonia the second day after surgery and has been in the Critical Care Unit ever since. He has a nasal canula feeding him oxygen and is pretty much stuck in bed. We had originally hoped he would be home today. Instead, he is in CCU. It is all very discouraging, evne though they are treating it and he will eventually get over the pneumonia. Plus, we still don’t know the type of cancer it is, prognosis, treatment, nothing. Sigh. This is the hardest thing I have ever been through. My poor, sweet baby. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/64 "2009-01-21T06:20:30Z")
Okay, Rick, I know a woman who had _brain cancer._ That was five years ago. The other day, a friend told me that she has been pronounced cured. Not in remission, but cured. Everyone’s right, it’s definitely a fight you can win. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/65 "2009-01-21T09:07:46Z")
I have nothing concrete to add but my very best wishes for a good recovery and that Rick will be feeling better very soon. I will keep you in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/66 "2009-01-21T14:16:18Z")
{{{ **Brynda** }}} Oh you poor child – the one person you want most to put his arms around you and tell you it’s going to be okay is lashed to a hospital bed with tubes and wires. Hope your inlaws and friends and everyone around you is helping communicate the love that’s also flowing from here at the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/67 "2009-01-21T17:46:49Z")
Awww {{{{Brynda }}}} ! Hope things improve soon. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/68 "2009-01-22T01:45:29Z")
Thanks, everyone. We found out today that the cancer is indeed (as suspected) a rare form of kidney cancer. We meet with an oncologist on 1/30, and will hear about treatment options (definitely chemo, maybe something else if they have it) then. It still feels unreal. Rick is doing better today–his breathing is better, and he feels better. It is a huge step in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/69 "2009-01-22T02:03:31Z")
Positive thoughts and good wishes are headed your way from the wilds of Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/70 "2009-01-22T02:30:40Z")
**Brynda** , you and **Rick** will be in my prayers for the road you have ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/71 "2009-01-22T15:31:39Z")
Still thinking good things to y’all and wishing you well. Just take it one day at a time… ---
**Author:** ![Suse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Suse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suse)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/72 "2009-01-22T22:50:55Z")
Thinking of you and wishing you both the best. It is a tough journey but having each other helps a lot. And we’re here to listen anytime you want to talk. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/73 "2009-01-23T04:25:37Z")
Good news! Rick is so much better that they are moving him out of the critical care unit! He might even be able to come home early next week! Hurray!!! He is still short of breath, but the pulmonologist assured him today that he will recover fully from the lung problems. At least he won’t have to contend with that, which is good because it was seriously affecting his quality of life. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/74 "2009-01-23T05:33:14Z")
YAY!!! ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/75 "2009-01-23T05:35:47Z")
Woo-woo-woo!! : does the happy dance : ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/76 "2009-01-23T12:38:52Z")
Woohoo! That is good news! Recovery at home is so much quicker (I have found.) IMO it is because you get to _sleep_. Sending you supporting thoughts and him healing ones. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/77 "2009-01-23T12:47:22Z")
Yay! We can knock that off the to-do list. What would you like us to be focusing our powerful Dopevibes on now? ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/78 "2009-01-23T15:40:26Z")
Hooray! So far, so good! ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/79 "2009-01-23T16:56:57Z")
Focus those dopervibes on our oncology appt on 1/30. That’s when we get his prognosis and treatment. I am trying to be positive, but it is hard. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/80 "2009-01-23T22:54:58Z")
I saw \*\*RickQ \*\*today and I must say he looks pretty darn good. He is pale, but that is his natural color.😉 , after all. All good and positive vibes for the 1/30 visit are coming your way. Right now even my toes are crossed for you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803.md?page=5)