what can i do?

[RachelS]

i'm so upset ladies. my grandmother was just diagnosed with an incurable and "rapidly lethal" brain tumor. my mom is devasted, as is the rest of my family. i live 10 hours from everyone in my family (they're all in indiana), and i just got this new job that looks like it's going to make travelling difficult. i am going to try to work it out with my boss so i can go home for veteran's day weekend (bank holiday #2 for me!), but i feel utterly useless right now. i "know" there's not anything i can do to make everyone feel better, but i just wish i could at least hug my mom or something. she's so sad. http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/images/smilies/cry.gifi need to do something... i just don't know what. any ideas?

[sinead]

Oh, Rachel, I'm so sorry! ((hugs)) I don't know that there's anything that I can tell you to do, but I'll be praying for your family and for your grandmother.

[KarenLewis]

I'm so sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prays are with you and your family.

[SarahJ]

i'm so sorry rachel! hopefully you can get something worked out with your boss. I will be thinking about you and your family!

[SADenney]

I am so sorry...this is a tough time for everyone! Your mom knows you want to be there....just call her as much as you can and tell her you love her. I know it perks me up when I am having a tough time and my daughter calls and puts Caleb on the phone.
Hang in there....sending prayers to you!

[ccouch]

oh, rachel. I'm so sorry :( That's sad news & I know how difficult it must be to be away from your mom & family right now.

I would write your mom a letter. Let her know how you feel, that you're there if she needs to talk, tell her how much you'd want to be there with your arms around her. My mom loves letters and I always send them to her when she's feeling down. Sorry I can't think of much else.

((Hugs))

[d2vasquez]

Oh Rachal how terrible.....but I think what everyone else said here is pretty much on the mark. Sometimes having someone to just talk to (as you are doing with us) can help someone who is in the midst of all of this and there with your grandmother. I think prayers and faith are also quite important to give you the strength you will need to continue working and also deal with yours and your family's emotions. My heart goes out to you.....and I will say a little prayer for you tonight.....keep us posted.....just so we can be your moral support too ok?

[AngelinaS]

Rachel, this is just devastating news. I'm so sorry. I have no suggestions except to call often and much, send cards/well wishes...TRY to work something out with your boss if possible...You and your family will be in my prayers.

[Nonnie917]

I am so sorry Rachel. I don't have any ideas either, but I will be praying for you and your entire family including Grandma. (((HUGS))) to you kiddo.

[jennamelia]

What a sad thing to have to confront. I hope you can find some comfort.. best wishes to you.

[Hom74]

{{{HUGS}}} I'm so sorry. I wouldn't know what to do either :(

[pbumbaca]

Oh Rachel I'm so sorry! I can't imagine what you are going through as I was near my mother and grandmother when we had to go thru all this thank God! I can only agree with everyone else and just be there by phone whenever you can and provide as much support that way. Your family surely understands that you can't just drop everything and they know you are suffering just as much as they are. Give your DH and boys lots of hugs! You will all be in my thoughts. HUGS!

[Laura_A]

Oh Rachel... I truly know exactly how you're feeling right now. Being so far away from family is the WORST when there are hardships. I was not there when both of my mom's parents passed away and it was SO hard for me. You want so badly to be there and support everyone. All I can say is, call often, maybe send flowers, cards. Maybe you could even try to arrange for some of your mom's friends or other family members to help her out with meals or cleaning or something. Maybe get your mom a day at the spa.. maybe even with your grandma? I don't know, just some suggestions.

I hope it works out for you to go home to visit. You and your family are in my thoughts!

[ajoyfulheart]

(((Rachel))) I am SO sorry sweetie...what terrible news :( I hope you are able to get the time off of work! I'm sorry that I don't have any other suggestions for you :(

[scrapsandsass]

Ohmygosh, Rachel... I'm soooo sorry to see that. I don't have any good advice. Just call/write/visit as much as you can. And hugs... lots of hugs!

[StaceyD]

I am so sorry to hear that Rachel. (((HUGS))) I can't imagine how hard it is to be away from your family. All the things that everyone has mentioned (calling, cards, flowers) are great ideas. Please know that we are here to support YOU!! Hang in there girl!

[scrappinmichele]

That is so horrible. I'm sure your Mother knows that you are with her in spirit and your thoughts are always with her. Just let her know that you will be her for her to always talk when she needs to talk. I wish I had some magic answers for you that would make you feel better. So sorry!!

[chloe]

Oh, Rachel, I'm so sorry! I'm living away from my family too, so I can understand how useless you can feel. Even if a phonecall is not like a hug, it can bring comfort though, and it'll let your family know you're sharing their feelings... Even if you're not really together, you'll be together in thoughts...