<p>I watch this soap opera, but I really can’t stand the characters — or rather how the writers make these characters to be. Sarah, in particular, is the most dysfunctional character. Selfish, yes. But, what’s with her weird behavior towards men? And why on earth can’t the writers give her lines to say? She’s always grunting or stuttering. That woman is either a terrible actress or those writers can’t write. But when it’s her scene, I am in disbelief. She might be the right age, gender, and have the right “look”, but please change something here!</p>
<p>I usually so dislike the character Max plays. But last night, when he said he was glad to have Asperger’s, I cheered. My son happened to be in the room and watched that scene too. Of course “television” has to have Max win the election, but hopefully it won’t be a major story. I don’t want have to watch more of his temper tantrums.</p>
<p>And why oh why do the writers continually give Kristina these depressing story-lines? She goes from dealing with Not getting along with Haddie’s bf, to getting unexpectantly pregnant, over-managing concerns about her son, and now this? Can’t that woman experience anything truly joyous? Oh yeah, I saw her cuddle her cute little daughter. Oh yeah, that’s when she was saying “good-byes-before-surgery”.</p>
<p>Vitrac,
I totalllyagree that is why they did it. They don’t want to end her Cornell dream…also she seems VERY interested in not going back, at least this semester. (such deja vu for me) She looked happy in the prior shows pics sent to mom but maybe not as happy as all that? Anyway, the cat will be out of the bag quick enough. And haddie will be quite ****ed because they promised to keep her informed and lied straight to her face, and because regardless of what we dont want to expose our kids to, or don’t think they are ready for, most times we are wrong…and do it because maybe its easier for us to not have to deal with their reaction and experience? OR just overprotective. </p>
<p>LOVED the way Haddie was trying to get christina to let her take care of her. She reminds me of my dd. Also LOVED the speech that Max gave about having aspergers! With twin sons “on the spectrum” i have to say that for the most part, their classmates - know this is just the way that they are, they cant help it and don’t make fun of them for it. Loved the support they gave to him, maybe a bit overboard but so heartening. </p>
<p>hope they dont drag out the sarah situation…lame. Just come to grips that you realize marrying jason ritter (cant remember character name) is not what you need. A little soul searching…then maybe with Jake? (ray romano)</p>
<p>*And why oh why do the writers continually give Kristina these depressing story-lines? *</p>
<p>I know what you mean…but I had a friend whose life was very similar - she went through issues that 10 families might each face one of. She then passed away from BC far too young. Sorry to have depressed you further…but it does happen :-(</p>
<p>found Camille’s mothering of Christina very touching…had me in tears. she really “got” exactly what Christina was needing emotionally, didn’t she…</p>
<p>I really like this show, but I hope it doesn’t get too dark as I don’t want to be watching sad things every week before bed.</p>
<p>I know the storyline is meant to educate and I’m sure it will all turn out ok, but it scares me a little. I wonder if people will become afraid to get tested because they will see the reality of what the diagnosis can mean. It might scare younger people who have family recently diagnosed…like Amber… Try having to explain to your kids that your cancer isn’t as bad and you won’t need all that…will they believe you? </p>
<p>On the other hand it may cause some people to go get tested as well and it may help some people to understand what is coming for them or what people they know might be going through.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t want to see the hard stuff she goes through because it makes me worry “what if” I have it and don’t know it? “what if” my mammogram was wrong or …I am talking about groundless paranoid worrying that I do from time to time…</p>
<p>Having programs address the cancer issue is a good thing and I think there was a series about a woman’s ordeal on Lifetime or Discovery. I’m not sure a tv drama should have the main focus of the season be the battle with cancer. It is supposed to be entertainment, but it’s a bit of a downer and could kill the show.</p>
<p>They could have had her need radiation only (each case is different). They could have shown her getting treatment and shown other patients, etc without having her chemo and dragging it out. </p>
<p>A good result is that more people will be aware and will talk about it, and that is probably the point of doing it.</p>
<p>I think they were wrong not to tell Haddie and I think that given how immeshed this family is with one another they are wrong not to let her stay home this semester and help. I could have gotten through chemo without my oldest daughter, but it would have been so much harder on both of us. There is no way she could have focused on classes and building new relationships. A semester break is not going to dramatically change Haddie’s future. Being deceived by her parents to such an extreme could. I can’t imagine how she will be able to focus on school when she finds out they lied to her.</p>
<p>And yes it is a downer, but sometimes life is, and sometimes the best entertainment speaks truth about life. I remember my mother crying through “The Waltons” because it reflected her depression era childhood in the hills of North Carolina. So far the breast cancer story line has brought tears to my eyes because it has been so real to my experience. I wouldn’t have wanted to watch it 3 or 4 years ago, now it gives me a space to reflect on my own feelings about going through it.</p>
<p>I’m more worried about Amber and Ryan and PTSD. I love her character and want her to find happiness.</p>
<p>Ds, 17, was freaking out that Drew and Amy are getting back together – well, sexually, anyway. I need to figure out what was so crazy to him about it. I can’t tell if he’s worried about Drew being hurt, happy that he’s getting some or what! ;)</p>
<p>The thing I love about this show is how it has sparked so much good conversation between myself and the now-17yo. We’ve been watching from the beginning, and last night, our first really cool night, we were on my bed snuggled under the big blankie we finally broke out. I just happened to be up for my mammogram a month or two ago, and when he heard that he asked if everything was OK. I said of course, it’s just my annual. I don’t think he EVER would have acted or thought to have been the least bit concerned if it hadn’t been for Cristina’s storyline. And he happened to have been there when I got my results in the mail. He asked if it turned out OK, and I said yes. Then he asked to see the letter! Again, I don’t think he would have been the least bit curious if it hadn’t been for the show. In earlier seasons, we had GREAT conversations about Haddie dating the recovering alcoholic and just so much more. I love this show, even when it’s flawed. He and several friends text during the commercials, if they’re all watching at the same time. Some TIVO and have to catch up!</p>
<p>Freaking out about Drew and Amy: I think by the time they are 17 most kids know that (a) relationships don’t always end with a clean break, and (b) the jagged edges on the breaks are a source of danger and hurt to all concerned. Everyone “knows” you are supposed to walk away from an ex- – and that’s what Amber tried to make clear to Drew. Watching Drew make the “mistake” of courting Amy, and seeing him rewarded for it (at least short-term) – that could be really threatening to a kid who could see himself in that position. And add to that the moral ambiguity – beautifully conveyed by the actors – of Drew guiltily exploiting his real concern about Kristina to get into Amy’s pants . . . it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.</p>
<p>There were lots of train wrecks happening last night. Drew and Amy, Amber and Ryan, Kristina and cancer, Adam and Adam, Julia and her new son’s past. And of course Sarah’s reprehensible – as usual – disregard for her daughter’s privacy, and Zeke’s ambivalence about Ryan. Lots to think about. But the one train wreck that didn’t happen – Camille and Kristina – had the tears rolling down my cheeks.</p>
<p>Yes, Sarah gets on my nerves at time, but that is what makes her Sarah!! While Amber was telling Sarah to leave, she was still grinning; their banter is what their relationship is about.</p>
<p>My wife and I watched the show last night. She is a ten-year breast cancer survivor this year. She had months of chemo after having ten lymph nodes removed. Her reaction to the scene with Kristina being prepped in the chemo room: “I can smell it. Its like a punch in the face.” She is right back to ten years ago watching this. Damn you Parenthood, but powerful stuff. Good job.</p>
<p>RSBuletz- I hear you; I am a 20 year next survivor next week, so I understand what your wife was feeling. Actually, I think the episode affected my husband more; maybe some suppressed feelings!</p>
<p>I am very interested to see what they do with Haddie. I know my daughter would have gone ballistic if she had been Haddie’s age when I was diagnosed. Even now if we wait to tell her something about a family member as she does not live in town, she gets very upset. My father was going through some testing before my daughter was due home for a visit; we were going to tell her when she arrived. I forgot I had the report sitting on my desk; my daughter wasn’t in the door 3 minutes before she spotted it. I can only imagine how Haddie will feel when she finds out they lied to her.</p>
<p>I too am a breast cancer survivor, six years…I think. I don’t want to “remember” how long ago it was. This week’s episode was so spot on that it is terrifying.</p>
<p>I would love it if they are able to get the chemo right. I’m a little worried that they might overdo it with the comment about women “looking like ghosts” after treatment and the teaser about getting pot for her. Although a lot of people did volunteer to get me pot, generally on the kinds of chemo they give for breast cancer the prescription anti-nausea drugs are effective. And rather than becoming ghosts, many women actually gain weight while on chemo due to steroid premeds, not being as active, and loosing your sense of taste and trying to find something that will taste good. Chemo has come a long way since “Love Story” and it would be nice if this TV show was able to show that while it still sucks, many women make it through with minimal bad days. I know women who didn’t even miss a day of work, and while that wasn’t me, I was only out of it 3-4 days out of every 3 weeks.</p>
<p>I was afraid of this show hitting close to home for myself and many. It appears I may have been more right than I knew…I would like to ask some advice.</p>
<p>It is a little premature to ask this, but I’m asking just in case so I know how to respond.</p>
<p>My brother-in-law (who lives 1000 miles away and I barely know, but hubby has been rekindling his relationship with over the past couple of years) is having his kidney removed tomorrow and they think it is likely cancer. He had blood in his urine on Sunday and they have discovered a large mass. I think his chances will be good (luckily we have 2 kidneys) but you just don’t know, and if it is cancer I would bet there will be treatment even with removal.</p>
<p>Does anybody have advice on when my husband should or shouldn’t visit? I don’t expect that he will run right down, but do relatives normally visit while the patient is going thru chemo? after chemo? He is planning to go down in April anyway but I just wondered…He has a wife he lives with and a grown son who lives up this way. I don’t think they have a great relationship…I think the son has not been all he could be…I don’t know what to say to hubby if it is cancer, or what to suggest. He got all bent out of shape when I tried to say what I thought were positive things before his mom had her cardiac cath…</p>
Also LOVED the speech that Max gave about having aspergers! With twin sons “on the spectrum” i have to say that for the most part, their classmates - know this is just the way that they are, they cant help it and don’t make fun of them for it. Loved the support they gave to him, maybe a bit overboard but so heartening. </p>