Life is Good

Simple things can make life so good. A good meal, restful sleep, delightful company and good news from home all help to make life seem pleasant and more joyful. This is how things are with Mom.

Mom is getting good sleep now that she is taking her iron removal treatment during the day. When she took it at night, she worried that she would pull it out and this caused her not to sleep well. So now she starts it while in the Infusion Ward between 7:00 & 8:00 AM and carries her 2.5 pound friend with her until the alarm to stop the treatment goes off between 7:00 & 8:00 PM. There have been a few side effects that are somewhat unpleasant but Mom is bearing them well. One side effect is that she is hungry all the time. This is quite a change for Mom. She is actually eat a lot which is a good thing.

Mom is improving in her need for transfusions. She is only taking blood about once a week and platelets every 5 to 7 days. This is a very good thing. She may have need of her daily treatment for the fungus on her lungs for as long as another year. This means two hours in the Infusion Ward daily just for the fungicide and then any additional time for transfusions when needed since they can't be given at the same time as her fungicide. Mom also takes a pill for the fungus at night. Mom is hoping to meet with Dr. Ho, the infectious disease doctor, this week to "beg" a small trip home for Christmas. Mom is hoping to convince Dr. Ho that for two to three days she could take pills instead of IV and pills. If this comes to pass, it will truly be of the Lord since Dr. Ho feels strongly that IV is the best way to receive this type of medication. Mom will be happy with whatever Dr. Ho decides. It is because of Dr. Ho (and God) that Mom's lungs are still working...after all, breathing is kind of important!

When I asked Mom how she was doing over all, she said all is well aside from the opportunity to shop for Christmas. Mom loves to shop! Dad has tried to take her three different times but she finds that she can only last for a brief time. She just gets too tired. She also worries about catching a cold from someone while out in the crowds. I forgot to mention to her that there is always Internet shopping but knowing Mom this just wouldn't be the same. She likes to touch what she buys, find a bargain and be out & about. Maybe next year.

Mom was very excited about a new Chinese restaurant that she tried with Dad, Uncle Ray & Aunt Christine. After Aunt Christine had taken a fall and found herself in the emergency ward earlier in the day, no one felt quite like cooking. With all praise to God, Aunt Christine only sustained a bump on the head and will be fine. She is also doing a little better everyday as she recovers from chemotherapy. Both Mom and Aunt Christine are glad to no longer be neutrapenic and able to eat fresh foods. Something to celebrate! While at the restaurant, Mom said she had one of the tastiest dishes she has had in a long time. It was grilled shrimp with a mayo sauce, uncooked apples and cooked, candied walnuts. She loved it! They also had chow mien and mu-shu pork. Mom was very pleased and said they would go to this restaurant again. Good company and good food...life is good.

Things are going well at the ranch. Mom said that Mark & Felicia hosted a Women's Pheasant Hunt for the Department of Fish & Game this last weekend. Over 90 women attended this event to promote good sportsmanship, take classes in archery & skeet shooting, along with pheasant hunting. Felicia cooked for all the people, Mark fixed things, drove folks around and over saw things, while their children helped out were needed. Just knowing that the ranch is being used for events like this truly blesses Mom.

Tonight Dad was cooking Mom another one of his wonderful steak dinners. Mom said that Dad has a system when it comes to meals and steak really works. Sounds delicious to me! Both Mom and Dad are doing well as anyone could hope for. They are enjoying the simple things and grateful for all improvements. A good reminder for me to slow down and enjoy the simple, sweet things in my life as well.