Speedy Oaks

A few things that never fails to amaze me.

1. Los Angeles freeways at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning. Where did everybody go??

2. I was going 85 mph and was the slowest car on the road.

3. I could go 85 mph in Merlin, my 1996 Toyota Corolla, and he didn’t disintegrate.

4. “The Alchemist” has one thing right. When your heart desires something the most, the universe conspires to make sure you get there.

After having taken an email flogging from my home girls this past week, the universe is moving in my direction. See, Joy and Lily went to visit my mom last weekend, and all three of them urge that I drop everything and come home. Not for a week, but for a long time. And I have to fight with them on that.

I want to come home. I can come home for a short burst at a time. To stay and take care of my mom the way I’d rally want to do is not possible. It’s a difficult concept for the girls to understand in a sense that none of them would lose their way of life if they miss work for a month. Not the case here.

THAT alone frustrates and depresses me for the past week.

But, last night, my dad called and we had the family powwow over the phone. Well, one at a time with my dad then my brothers and Aunty Or, my mom’s best friend.

They all agree, it’s time for me to head home. Not because it’s the worst, but because mom is at her best shape since she began chemotherapy.

What do you mean “in her best shape”? Didn’t she have a stroke which left her paralyzed on her left side?

Well, best shape spirit-wise. According to Aunty Or and dad, they haven’t seen mom so lively since the whole cancer ordeal began a few years ago, and especially after she started chemo. They said she is at her very best despite the fact that her left side is paralyzed. My brother Onk may return to the US in the fall for a professional certificate. If that’s the case, then this would be a good time to have the entire family together.

It may be a very short trip, but it is needed.

I haven’t written an update about my mom because I wasn’t quite ready to do so and I didn’t feel like I had all the facts. But now I do.

Besides, the doctors are concerned about the future.

Mom is not cancer free and they can’t give her chemo anymore. When they stopped last time, there is a speck left of the cancer in her liver. At the moment, everything seems to be under control. But we don’t know what is going to happen next.

Another option in the back pocket is for her to take some kind of oral medication at a hefty $50 a pill a day, but it is not clear if that would work with her case. If the cancer spreads and the pills don’t work, mom will have about 6 months.

Good news. Bad news. No fucking kidding.

But nonetheless, I’ll be home in a few weeks for a speedy little visit. No, this is not a fun, party all the time visit I was hoping this would be, but it’s needed.

And the Universe says so. Especially this crazy humid-hot weather in California this past week, as it Mother Nature is helping me get acclimated to the ever so balmy 90F Bangkok. Heh.

4 Comments

  1. Anonymous   •  

    Hi Oakz,

    I’m glad to hear that your mom is up in spirits. Have a safe and wonderful trip back to BKK!

    Nan

  2. Ginny   •  

    Have a safe trip. It does sound like now is the time. We’ll be thinking of you.

  3. 'Mazing Amy   •  

    (((((((HUGS)))) Oakz! your mom is in my prayers.

  4. Anonymous   •  

    i read your thoughts. thanks for sharing. i will pray for your family. be strong.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.