shangriff

Hi everyone,

I know I haven't been on this site in such a long time but unfortunately I'm not here to announce or share any kind of good news. I think it's kind of funny that I thought to come here, even with my absence and all.  I guess we all kind of venture "home" when things go wrong so we can rely on those who we know will be there for us.

My uncle is going in for life threatening surgery tomorrow. He has some sort of Jewish blood disease, I don't know the name of it, that's just what we've referred to it as for nearly 20 years.  He was diagnosed when he was around 40 and was told that this disease affects the blood of a certain sect of Jewish men when they reach about 65 and and that time they're given about 10 years to live.  Well my Uncle Steve surpassed all of their "dates" as to when he should have died from this disease thanks to experimental treatments.  He's been flying to Texas every three weeks to partake in such experimental treatments where they replace parts of his blood that are being depleted.

Over the last few years his spleen has grown to such an enormous size that he looks like he's pregnant.  He can no longer live with his spleen and the doctors are going to attempt to remove it tomorrow.  They are afraid that with blood vessels attached to his spleen that severing them can cause him to bleed out. I don't know if I'm saying all of this correctly in terms of how it was explained medically, but this is what I understood it to be.  It is a very risky surgery but it's the only option that he has left.  He is 63 years old and he looks like he's 75.  It has taken a toll on him in so many ways and I can't forget about the time he couldn't even sleep because even having the sheets on his bed touch his body was too painful.

Please, please, PLEASE pray for my Uncle Steve.  The power of prayer is insurmountable in whatever religion or faith you follow.  I ask, beg, plead to all of you that you keep my Uncle in your prayers throughout his surgery.  It doesn't matter one bit to me that he isn't blood related, he's my family and I love him so much.  So many different things and drama are happening on both sides of my family right now but honestly, having your health is most important.

Thank you,
Shannon

I know for a fact there there are a few people on here who watch Dexter and was super stoked for the premiere the other night.  For me, wayyy to reminiscent of season 2, but that's typical Dexter, it starts slow and then builds up quickly. I'm looking forward to Sunday night.

Other thoughts?