Hi Guys,

I need to vent. I found out last night at 5pm that my Mom was in the emergency room with heavy rectal bleeding (sorry if thats too much information). This is not the first time it has happened, and it wasn't too serious last time, so I tried not to worry too much about it. My father is away on business and my brother lives in Toronto (I'm in Hamilton, my Mom lives in Kitchener). Today my dad text messaged me at 3pm to say that she was still in the emergency department. Thirty seconds after I got that message (which made me extremely worried) my supervisor calls me into his office to discuss some of my recent data (I'm working on my thesis in a microbiology lab at my university). I am not a fan of him as it is...he treats everybody there like crap, he's rude, full of himself. Ugh. Anyways, so he proceeded to tell me that non of my data made sense and lectured me for about 30 minutes. Basically made me feel an inch tall. So by that point I was pretty much at my wits end. So I left work...perhaps I won't come in tomorrow. I am waiting for my boyfriend to come home with the car so that I can drive to Kitchener to check on my Mom. I finally figured out what hospital she's in (my Dad didn't know) and that she has been admitted, but they don't have any beds available, so she's still waiting in Emerg. I am scared for my Mom, angry at my boss...just at my wits end. I really want to drop out of my program into one that doesn't involve a thesis, but thats a whole other can of worms I guess. I just....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

And that you are too . If your diet goes to **** for a few days (and it probably will if you have to buy dinner from a vending machine at the hospital) so be it.

The prof sounds like an a#*hole but we have to all deal with these people every day. Don't let his rudeness faze you. You'll soon be out working in the real world and leave him behind.

Let us know how you are when you have time and your mom is stable and ok.

Dagmar

Gosh, Nic... I'm so sorry to hear you're going through so much stress. Any idea of a diagnosis for your mom? Sounds scary... I'm sending positive vibes your way. Hang in there and try your best to take care of yourself (sleep, breathe, etc.)

But don't you just HATE days like these?!*$#!

Breathe, scream, breathe, cry, breathe, laugh, breathe, sigh!

Bad, bad timing on your supervisor's part. Focus in on your Mom and let the thesis decisions wait for a more peaceful, strong day. I am holding you in light and love as I write this. All is well.

Please feel free to vent to us. This is a boatload of trouble and vent worthy!

After you've made certain that your Mom (and Dad) are OK and in good hands, get BF to make you a nice cup of tea or something soothing and relax!

Don't make any decisions while you are this wound up.

And report back, we'd like to know how all of you made out.

Nic: My father-in-law had a similar problem in the spring. The extreme amount of rectal bleeding really scared him (and everyone else!) He was diagnosed with internal hemmorhoids (he had to have an operation). I hope your mom is doing better and it isn't anything too serious.

Prayers that your mom is going to be okay. (My employee had the same thing last year and is fine now--turns out she had bleeding ulcers.)

Putting a hex on your professor! It's hard--we all have days like that. Bosses, professors, spouses, kids, rude drivers--anyone can suddenly rub you the wrong way. Venting here helps! Then let it go. Don't let the stress build up.

Take care of yourself and your mom

Hi Everybody,

Thanks so much for all of your prayers and well wishes. I appreciate all of your kindness and wisdom so much. My mom is doing a bit better today - they found out that she had a bleeding polyp in her colon. It was about as big as my pinky finger when they took it out! She has lost a lot of blood, so she is quite weak, but hopefully she is on the road to recovery. She was so happy to see me when I walked into emerg yesterday that she cried...she had been so lonely and scared, and too weak to walk to the phone so she couldn't even call anybody.

I didn't go in to work today because I spent the day at the hospital with my Mom, but I will go back in tomorrow. I am pretty sure that I will barrel onwards and finish my thesis. It would be a waste to throw four years of a genetics degree down the toilet now when I'm only 6 months from finishing. You are all right....he is a jerk, but sometimes in our lives we have to deal with jerks. I guess getting through this can only make me stronger in character. As long as he doesn't mess me up grade wise, I guess it can't be too bad.

Thanks again everybody for everything. You all are a great bunch...and I am so thankful that I found you all.

Sounds like you're feeling better. Yeah!!

That's good that they found out what was wrong and removed it. Hopefully your mom will feel better soon.

Your supervisor sounds like some bosses I've had - aggressive, on a power trip, no interpersonal skills.

Nic -I'm glad to hear they your mom is on the bed. Thanks for updating us. Take care

Good News My mom is back at home and on the mend. I spent the weekend taking care of things at home, but sadly had to head back to Hamilton today (work tomorrow). In any case, I'm glad that I could be there to take care of her, and help get her energy up a bit. She's still weak, but in much better spirits now that she is starting to feel better.

Now I just have to get back on the diet train!!!!