Mom and Dad and their respective leg issues continue to improve.  Mom walks most of the time without a crutch, sometimes because she chooses and sometimes because she forgets.  We were out for a walk and someone waved at her.  She raised her arm, waved back and her crutch fell to the ground like a … Continue reading The Inmates Are Growing Restless →

A few people have asked what they can do to help us.  The first thing that comes to mind and seems to be the easiest and most practical for my folks is meals.  I have created a Meal Train for the month of October with the potential to add dates going forward.  They don't want … Continue reading Meal Train For My Folks →

Mom had knee replacement Monday, August 24th.  The expectation was that she would be in the hospital until Wednesday and then go home.  She stayed until Thursday and then PT recommended she go to a skilled care facility due to…a few reasons.  She's quite strong-willed and when you couple that with cognition issues, going home … Continue reading And THEN I Stole A Wheelchair…The Saga of Mom And Dad →

I left on Sunday wearing a tank top and shorts with the air conditioner on in my car since it was 80+ degrees. I decided weeks ago that I wasn't going to tell anyone when my appointment was and that I would go alone. I wanted the opportunity to digest whatever was unveiled before anyone … Continue reading Med City….Aaand Back To Me →

On April 19th, Mom, Dad and I headed back to Mayo for Dad's surgery the next morning.  It was a driving wind and rainstorm as it had been the last two times.  At least it wasn't snow.  We checked into a different hotel, this one right across the street from the hospital where Dad would … Continue reading Surgery And Beyond →

As we waited for the Radiation Oncologist to join us in the small exam room and give us his two cents, I pulled up an article from the internet to share with my folks to pass the time and divert our thoughts.  It was the 41st anniversary of the Blizzard of '73.  April 8th and … Continue reading Mayo Redux 3.0: Sitting And Stories →

We left Des Moines in the pouring rain, earlier than we planned, to get to Mayo before the predicted snow and thundersnow hit us.  The first two hours were just a downpour.  I was driving my parents' car and the driver's side windshield wiper quickly started to peter out.  After about thirty minutes, I was … Continue reading Mayo Redux Version Dad 2.0, They Call Me The Cancer Sherpa →

An unfamiliar number popped up on my phone and I thought maybe it was a doctor's office so I answered it. It was Vicky from Mahaska Behavioral Services. They deal with people with mental health and substance abuse issues. She wanted to know if she could move my Wednesday appointment to Thursday. Um, what? Me: … Continue reading My Mental Health – Don’t Be Scared, It’s Short And Funny →

Mom, Dad and I returned from Mayo Tuesday night after two days worth of tests and appointments.  It was a long, exhausting two days, especially for my folks.  We arrived Monday so he could give blood and urine and get a urogram CT.  Tuesday we met with a Urologist and his CNP who gave Dad … Continue reading Mayo Redux Version Dad.0 →

After being off work for 6 months, I returned today. I was welcomed back with smiles, flowers, questions and over 5000 unread emails. I spent the morning on the phone with various help desks trying to get my work life reactivated and chatting with the few people who realized I'd snuck in under the radar. … Continue reading Short Update On A Long Day →