05-28-2010

Today was a good realty-check day. Not that we've needed it but it's good to have todays' experience in the "bank" when we need to pull it out for a reminder. We went to radiology today for a dry-run of the treatment mom will start on tuesday. we met a wonderful lady in the waiting room. She has a beautiful smile and warming spirit. We didn't even catch her name but we all talked. She has a tumor in her brain and went through 30 radiation and 30 chemo treatments. The tumor is still there and now she's in a study group in Chicago. She says she has about a year left. What a trip to humility - this lady knows she has about a year left on this planet. And yet she was smiling - was talking with us like we were old friends - and she was encourating mom. It reminds me of the old saying, "I was mad because I had no shoes - and then I meant a man who had no feet". Perspective - we all need it from time to time.
So here is Mom and Dad in the waiting room at radiology. They have many books and resources you can borrow. They had a beautiful basket of scarfs and head wraps that were free for the taking so we hunted around and found a beautiful colored one for mom. we'll get pictures of that later. As you can see, Mom is cracking a smile. I promised her that every single day I would make her laugh about something. Not sure what I did to get this one but does it matter? Just as long as we all crack a smile once a day.
The PEG tube looks great. It causes a lot of anxiety for mom when I have to clean it for her and turn it. the turning today was nothing. She's a trooper. The cleaning was a little uncomfortable but with Dad as my assistant we did a pretty good job of it. She's resting comfortably now.
This weekend is a time of rest and some light exercise for mom. The weather here is supposed to be beautiful so hopefully she can get outside and get some fresh air. We hope that all of you have a wonderfully safe holiday. Don't forget about all of those who sacrificed everything so that we may have all that we do. And God Bless our Troops.