Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Chemo day










Every time I sit down to write a bit, it seems, I am jumping up to take care of something else.  After the weather went all kinds of crazy cold on us, threatening to bring winter ahead of fall, warmer temps arrived again today.  

So I've been sneaking outside with the dog, trying to figure out how to preserve a little bit of the warmth and brightness of the sun to feast on in the darkest corners of winter. 

My mom had a rough week last week.  Nolan and I surprised her with a visit early in the week, and all seemed well.  The week before we took her to the dentist to have a tooth pulled, but she seemed to be healing well and had no discomfort in her mouth.  But then, a long series of events occurred, that ultimately led to a fall the other day.  While physically she assured us she was fine, it was her raw emotions that stayed with me.  That nagging voice kept at me, no matter the assurances she gave.

Friday night I called to tell mom, that Rick was home, and we were coming to visit.  But she didn't answer.  For hours upon hours, she didn't answer her phone.  

By 10 pm,  long after we would usually have heard from her, I was starting to rapidly grow concerned.

What if she had fallen again?  What if she went for a walk outside and lost her bearings?  What if….?  

Rick, long exhausted from his 18 hour drive back from Idaho, was a trooper and got on the phone with Bethany Towers.   Could they please locate her?  

Our concern grew as they failed to establish her whereabouts.  Where could she be?  They kept saying, "oh she is probably down in the community room,  or in the dining room, etc., we could have her call when she comes back?"

Our last call to the switchboard and Rick, firmly, but politely refused to get off the phone until they found her.  As I dressed, getting ready to get in the car, he carefully explained our concern with her fall, and that her not answering her phone was not typical.  

Finally, they dispatched several people to set off on a search for her.  

Then the call came- she had been found!

She was in the room across from hers, gaining some emotional support from her friend.  The two women had lost track of time.  

Saturday we had a busy day with hockey, a birthday party, a bon fire with friends.  But I called several times to talk with mom.  Then mom tried calling us, and I answered as she hung up.  When I dialed her back, the phone was busy for a long time.  It was after we got home from the bonfire I called her again.

  It was then that she told us she had been sent to the Emergency Room because of her fall, and when I didn't answer, her sister came and took her. She has some bruised ribs and pain.  But, no fractures fortunately. 

I have so many questions?  Why two days later?  Why not the day of her fall?  What protocol for falls do I not know?  

We've had such excellent care at Bethany.  What just happened this past week?  

Rick and I will be going in to talk with the director.  

We went and spent a long time with her yesterday.  Her spirits are lifting, but she remains cautious and worries about the course of events.  

But first, I have Dr. Panwalkar this morning where we will discuss my PET scan results, then I will have chemo.  

~All shall be well~







32 comments:

  1. The photos are simply glorious, Vicky. Just beautiful. Know that my heart is with yours today. XXOO

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    1. Felt you right there with me, sweet friend- as I often do. So thankful, too!

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  2. Your leaves are changing already! They are so pretty. Please know, that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Vicky. Sending love and strength, xxxooo

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    1. They are Eileen! Earlier than usual, but the air has turned warm again so we'll see! Thankful for all you do for me Eileen! Hugs to you~

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  3. oh sweetie…you have your hands full and then some. i can relate on so many issues in the mom department, except it's my mother-in-law….alzheimers, falls, ER visits, wandering and not being found right away and still being at home with my father in law as the full time caregiver….so i know how hard all of this is for you…..hugs sweet friend!!!

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    1. Thank you Beth! Goodness, I need to come and visit so many of you. Are you preparing to move? Can't wait to come and find out. Thankful for your encouragement- easier to go through it all knowing you aren't alone :) Hugs to you!

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  4. Reading while I am in Switzerland, taking a few minutes to read - I can well imagine your concerns. The thoughts that fill our heads when we can't locate our loved ones - oh my!

    Praying for you, asking the Spirit to guard your heart and mind and be your strength.

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    1. Ahhhh- you know my fondness for Switzerland! Thankful for your prayers, Susan, so appreciate your thoughtfulness. Hope you have a wonderful time!

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  5. Thank you for sharing the beauty you find even in the midst of difficult days.

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    1. It boosts me so to focus on those things around me. I watch you do it so well, Susan, and admire how much that influences so many of us!

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  6. You've been on my mind and in my prayers all this past week. I hope your appointment goes well. I'm so sorry to hear of all of the concern with you mom. I hope she feels better soon. I was happy to read of her connection with a friend, though. That can be so valuable for her. Lots of love to you.

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    1. Katy! Do you know how my heart just leapt when I saw your name? I would so love to "catch up" with you sometime. I can only imagine how busy you are with that growing family of yours, and work, but if there is a way, somehow- would love to see you! Love to you sweet friend- miss you :)

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  7. Good Morning!!! Prayers for you Vicki!! (((HUGS)))

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    1. Hugs right back to you Kay- thankful for your prayers!

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  8. I came to let you know I am thinking of you today...and read about your heart and your mom...prayers for you both today and always... big hug's..much love!

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    1. Peggy Sue- thank you for thinking of me and for those prayers for me and mom- so thankful to have that support and encouragement and love. Hugs and love right back to you!

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  9. I was catching up on a few blog posts and saw you were to have chemo today. I have been praying for you today. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. We are still awaiting fall here in the Atlanta area. Ready for cooler days, crisp air and colorful leaves.

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    1. Your prayers lift me so, thank you Jenny! The ATL stays so warm for so long- and we have the opposite- so cold for so long! Too bad we can't switch a few of those days :) Hugs to you sweet friend~

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  10. Sweet Vicky.
    Oh how this post resonates with me and brings back so many memories of caring for my Mom (she was in Seattle and I was in Spokane since she refused to move.) I went there every other weekend for two years, and I well know those questions you asked...why now? What does this mean? And with each question I turned my Momma over to Him, the real care-taker, asking his grace in helping me be a helper to her.

    And about today, know rthat you are being held up by so many prayer warriors as we ask God to give you peace and a sense of His presence, no matter what. Know, dear friend, that you are surrounded by LOVE as you getting chemo and talking to Dr. P. Prayers too for your Mom.

    Love you to the moon and back!
    Linda

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    1. Yes- Linda- thankful for that reminder, that mom is also in His capable hands. She is working hard again to recover and nourish those friendships she has begun and I think she will recover well. Its always reassuring to hear from those who have done this before. Much love to you- to the moon and all the way back!

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  11. life - its a roller coaster for sure! Glad your mom is doing well.

    praying and anxiously await an update - as I know He has this!

    xo

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    1. He does have this! I have that foremost in my mind and lean on it all the time :) Thankful you remind me to- its so good to see it and hear it and know it! Love to you!

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  12. Vicky, you are in my prayers each night and I will include your Mom as well.

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    1. Thank yo Ms. A- I have thought of you often as well. I need to come and visit your blog soon and I pray you are making some improvements as well.

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  13. Checking in with you Vicky. That is scary about not hearing from your mom, but I'm glad you finally found out where she was. Just know I'm always thinking about you Vicky. God bless.

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    1. Thankful for your thoughts and prayers Lisa- hugs to you!

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  14. You are wise to be on top of this with her health care people, so important to be your own advocate, as you know. Praying you have the best possible PET scan results today and a sound sleep tonight... xo

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    1. Thanks Karen- appreciate your encouragement always! I did sleep well :)

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  15. lol Falls are a fact of life. One hopes the elderly keep tabs on one another.
    I kept my Mom at home because otherwise I'd be living with her at the senior home lol
    Of course she was in worse shape than your Mom.
    You never think that one day this will be you. So sad.
    Glad it had a happy ending.

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    1. Yes- me too, Vic, me too. She has done so well, and it was a bit startling to see her so "off" that week. She looks better each day now :) I hope you are well too!

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  16. Thank you so much Robin- miss you friend- am so looking forward to time together and pray that will work out for us! Love to you sweet one!

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  17. Okay, it's finally Sunday night and I'm catching up with my world again. These pics are breathtaking. Stunning, Vicky, really. I'm so glad to read there were no broken bones with your mom...and what a long wait to find out the news.

    Thanks so much for praying for my retreat. It was amaaaazing--i think I feel a blog moving around my heart about it.

    XOXO

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