Now for More Details

Sorry about the lack of info in the last post. I just wanted to get something sent out to let you know the status. I'll recap a little on the last couple of days and tell you more about the homecoming.

Thursday I got to drive to Cincinnati to see Mom in the hospital. Both kids went with me. Sonny was allowed to go up and visit. Esphyr played in the courtyard with Auntie Alz. It was a great visit. Mom was cheerful and relaxed. Her sister Jane was also there. Sonny got to tell her all about the start of kindergarten. She had her quilt around her and was looking at the squares again. She ate a great lunch: most of a ham sandwich and a baked potato too. She has been loving sour cream. :)

At one point, she asked Sonny to just put his cheek to hers. It was sweet. Friday she continued to do better and her white blood cell count was going up. So they told her she would probably go home Saturday (today). We raced up to the Farm when we found out she was "on her way," but about an hour later, still no Mom and Allie. I called just to check their status, and they were waiting on a wheelchair-- had been waiting for at least 45 minutes. Finally they were released and arrived back home around 3pm. She was nestled in on the couch when we got there and looked just great. She keeps saying that she is doing better, and it is so true. She was happy to see Esphyr especially since she hadn't seen her for a while.

Her sisters Cindy and Peggy arrived soon after with loads of sodium-rich groceries (and yes, Ryan, that included salty potato chips). Mom dutifully consumed mashed potatoes, Gatorade, potato chips, half a ham sandwich. A few minutes later, she was still hungry, so she had some green beans and kielbasa. Awesome! She had a good visit with her sisters and did not hesitate to let any of us know when she was tired-- she would just close her eyes and rest. At one point, she said, "Those are such happy sounds coming from in there (the kitchen). That in itself is healing."

Speaking of food, if you're on the schedule, Annie Schroeder (our new food coordinator) asked me to post a few reminders: avoid fresh produce, try for organic meat if possible, and if you are inspired to provide a dessert, go for something light, like sherbet (mom's recommendation). Oddly enough, her sweet tooth has been on a bit of a vacation. Even chocolate hasn't sounded great. These treatments really MUST be powerful stuff.

Looking forward to another day of rest tomorrow, then on to tackle Radiation #23 on Monday. Allie and Mom did a high five Friday to celebrate the completion of #22. 22 down, 13 to go!

Peace,
jk