This is sort of a multipurpose purr request.

You may recall that my mom had breast cancer a year ago, then was
recently diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on her spine. She's been
getting radiation and chemo, and they have both helped a lot. Turns out
the tumor on her spine completely destroyed the disk it was growing on.
She saw the neurosurgeon today and he wants to operate as soon as
possible to remove what's left of the tumor. He will also be fusing the
two disks adjacent to the one destroyed by the tumor.

She will be in the hospital for a week. When she comes home she will
need somone to stay with her, day and night, for two weeks. My brother
and I have decided that he will take days and I will take nights.

So the first purr request is for mom to handle the surgery well and
recover quickly.

I now need to make arrangements to be available evenings for two weeks.
In my present situation that means asking for a two week leave. I should
be able to get it.

The alternative, though, would be even better. A few days ago I applied
for a job as a computer tech with a small medical center just a few
miles from where Nancy and I live. It pays about half what I'm used to
earning as a programmer but more than I'm making driving, and the hours
would be 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. If I can land this job I
won't have to ask for a leave, and will finally get my chance to be home
every night. I was one of several people who received a followup e-mail
today with more information, asking if we were truly interested (and of
course I replied that I was). So purr request number two is that I am
either able to arrange a leave from the truck driving company or get the
 computer tech job.

Thanks again for all your support. I just can't get over what a
wonderfully supportive group this is!

Dan