My Dad
- Thread starter journey11
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digitS'
Garden Master
My youngest uncle lived into his eighties and gave me seeds from his mother's garden about 25 years ago.
The way those tomatoes grew and by the description in a catalog, I wondered if they were Porter tomatoes from an old time Texas seed company by that name. I grew both side by side for 2 seasons. First, I thought that the plants themselves might be different but finally realized that I could see no difference between either plants or fruit.
That she grew these some 80+ years ago is what is important. That he shared them with me, doubly so.
I've called them Pink Pearls because of their shape and Grandmother's name. Think I'll start calling them Marvin's Pearls.
Steve
The way those tomatoes grew and by the description in a catalog, I wondered if they were Porter tomatoes from an old time Texas seed company by that name. I grew both side by side for 2 seasons. First, I thought that the plants themselves might be different but finally realized that I could see no difference between either plants or fruit.
That she grew these some 80+ years ago is what is important. That he shared them with me, doubly so.
I've called them Pink Pearls because of their shape and Grandmother's name. Think I'll start calling them Marvin's Pearls.
Steve
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- #143
journey11
Garden Master
Dad starts his chemo and radiation tomorrow. It's gonna be on from there, a marathon for the next 6 weeks. I am not getting any volunteering from my siblings to help drive him there (an hour and 15 minute drive for me.) So, I hope he writes them out of the will...LOL, but seriously! 
We had a horrible day yesterday, Easter Sunday. His mom came to visit and brought 3 other family members, plus his half-sister's fiance. And insisted we all show up with our children all dressed up for pictures. I didn't realize Dad didn't want them to come, and I feel guilty because I should have foreseen that this would be too much for him. He completely shut down and was UNpleasant, to say the least. He refused to be in any family pictures and was ready to tear loose on his step-dad for insisting. I was so worn out time I made it home.
So Dad is really anxious and dreading the treatments, but he is also worried about the tumor growing in there. He refused to eat all day yesterday, but did finally eat a good supper when I brought him some this evening. He had settled down a lot. Had a fall today and bruised his hip and shoulder too (tripped over something...Parkinson's.) We talked a little about things. I tried to be as comforting and encouraging as I could. I think it helped some. He's felt pretty well physically now that he's recovered from the surgery and blood clot. He is just in a dark valley right now. This is undoubtedly hard.
I am coping pretty well myself. I do better when he is feeling more positive though. He can throw me for a loop when he has these moods, but I've found a lot of comfort in alone time (driving to and fro mostly) singing and praying and it gets my mind back to where it needs to be.
I haven't started my tomatoes or anything yet. Did get my pruning done finally. I had lost the thermostat to my heat mat and finally found it today and was so happy I could have cried. If I have to buy plants, it's not the end of the world, I guess. I do want to at least have a small garden to occupy myself this summer. I need it for therapy!
We had a horrible day yesterday, Easter Sunday. His mom came to visit and brought 3 other family members, plus his half-sister's fiance. And insisted we all show up with our children all dressed up for pictures. I didn't realize Dad didn't want them to come, and I feel guilty because I should have foreseen that this would be too much for him. He completely shut down and was UNpleasant, to say the least. He refused to be in any family pictures and was ready to tear loose on his step-dad for insisting. I was so worn out time I made it home.
So Dad is really anxious and dreading the treatments, but he is also worried about the tumor growing in there. He refused to eat all day yesterday, but did finally eat a good supper when I brought him some this evening. He had settled down a lot. Had a fall today and bruised his hip and shoulder too (tripped over something...Parkinson's.) We talked a little about things. I tried to be as comforting and encouraging as I could. I think it helped some. He's felt pretty well physically now that he's recovered from the surgery and blood clot. He is just in a dark valley right now. This is undoubtedly hard.
I am coping pretty well myself. I do better when he is feeling more positive though. He can throw me for a loop when he has these moods, but I've found a lot of comfort in alone time (driving to and fro mostly) singing and praying and it gets my mind back to where it needs to be.
I haven't started my tomatoes or anything yet. Did get my pruning done finally. I had lost the thermostat to my heat mat and finally found it today and was so happy I could have cried. If I have to buy plants, it's not the end of the world, I guess. I do want to at least have a small garden to occupy myself this summer. I need it for therapy!
Carol Dee
Garden Master
OH dear @journey11 
I will continue to hold you and your Dad up in prayer. Sending lots of positive thoughts. So sorry the extended family descended on him like that. Hang in there. Big Hugs
I will continue to hold you and your Dad up in prayer. Sending lots of positive thoughts. So sorry the extended family descended on him like that. Hang in there. Big Hugs 
Nyboy
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sorry
so lucky
Garden Master
Sending healing thoughts your way. So sorry Easter turned out to be a horrible event. It seems those times kind of sneak up on us. Of course, if you could have foreseen how things would be, you could have attempted to prevent it. Good luck this week.
ninnymary
Garden Master
That Easter sounded horrible! Glad today is a new day. Another day spent with loved ones. I feel partly responsible because I didn't pray for you this weekend. 
Hugs, and so many people here care about you.
Mary
Hugs, and so many people here care about you.Mary
thistlebloom
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Oh Amanda! You are a gem.
I have to tell you I'm really mad at your siblings for letting you shoulder all the responsibility!
and 
.
So not one of his friends have stepped up for transport? I wish you lived closer so I could help you with something!
Just keep remembering God is faithful and good and His mercy endures forever.
Praying always for you and your dad. Romans 8:38-39
I have to tell you I'm really mad at your siblings for letting you shoulder all the responsibility!
and .So not one of his friends have stepped up for transport? I wish you lived closer so I could help you with something!
Just keep remembering God is faithful and good and His mercy endures forever.
Praying always for you and your dad. Romans 8:38-39
digitS'
Garden Master
I'm sorry Journey. You really are in that sandwich generation and not in a good way .
His stepfather and mother? I had the idea that you Dad wasn't a very old person but I'm surprised he is in that sandwich, too.
Sometimes, too often, olde people think that they have things figured out. Too often, they are just stubborn and set in their ways. It's hard for them not to be. Both at a distance and up close and too personal, change is going on and it is difficult. Most everything is different and difficult for olde people.
Steve
.His stepfather and mother? I had the idea that you Dad wasn't a very old person but I'm surprised he is in that sandwich, too.
Sometimes, too often, olde people think that they have things figured out. Too often, they are just stubborn and set in their ways. It's hard for them not to be. Both at a distance and up close and too personal, change is going on and it is difficult. Most everything is different and difficult for olde people.
Steve
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- #150
journey11
Garden Master
Thanks guys. @ninnymary , don't feel bad. Prayers are always appreciated, but I trust God knows all about it. 
My grandmother is one of those people who won't take no for an answer. I will be more forthright with them in the future. I am usually not good at speaking up, but maybe God has a lesson for me in all of this. I feel this challenge might eventually make me more mature! Much to learn from it, certainly. 
We're here at the cancer center now. Dad had just been called back and changed into his gown when the fire alarm went off. We had to leave the building and the fire trucks came. It was not a drill, but they took care of the problem quickly. I am so sorry for him that this really rattled his nerves. I thought I'd never get him back in the building.
My grandmother is one of those people who won't take no for an answer. I will be more forthright with them in the future. I am usually not good at speaking up, but maybe God has a lesson for me in all of this. I feel this challenge might eventually make me more mature! Much to learn from it, certainly. We're here at the cancer center now. Dad had just been called back and changed into his gown when the fire alarm went off. We had to leave the building and the fire trucks came. It was not a drill, but they took care of the problem quickly. I am so sorry for him that this really rattled his nerves. I thought I'd never get him back in the building.
