Another very long day...

So, I was awoken by the ring of my cell phone at 7:36 a.m....I scramble from a dead sleep to grab it and I say "Hello?" absolutely scared to death...And I hear "Amy? Where are you? Come down here..." I try to convince my Mom that it is early and I am sleeping, but she will have none of that. So, I tell her I am on my way. Approximately 30 minutes later as I am getting in the car, I get another call...I answer..."Hello?" And I hear..."Hi Aimee, it is Dr. Bodkin, and I am here in your Mom's room and she wanted me to call you and see where you were..." So, yes, my little Mom has charmed her oncologist to do her bidding...Is anyone surprised?

I get there, prepared to give her a firm talking to about calling me so early, and as I round the doorway into her room, her whole face lights up and she says "Hi honey! I am so glad you are here, I am sorry I called you but I just feel so much safer when you are here..." Damn, what was I going to say to her??? How can you get around that...Wait, dammit! She charmed me too! And I thought I was immune to her...Nope, probably never will be either...And that is just fine with me.:)

Even with the good (albeit early) start, today proved to be another long and traumatic day. They placed her PEG (feeding tube in the abdomen) today. Unfortunately, they had to put in an NG feeding tube (the kind that goes in your nose and down your throat) to prepare for the PEG placement...That was pretty much sheer hell for Mom...And who could blame her? After that, they did the daily chest x-rays, and took her to place the PEG. Under mild sedation and local anesthetic, they placed the tube. She was pretty groggy when she came back up to her room, and pretty much missed a visit with one of the nurses from Magnolia (Dad's nursing home) who stopped by to see her with a card from the staff and flowers for her. I walked out with Ivana (the nurse) and ran an errand, then took some Costco pizza down to see Dad. He didn't wake long enough to even get a taste. Oh well, we will ask the Dr. on Friday if anything else can be causing his sleepiness.

I went back to see Mom, and she was really groggy...Not sure if they went a little heavy on the pain meds because of the procedure, but I was even afraid to give her any food for fear she wouldn't be awake long enough to swallow it. Mom's neighbor Cathy came by to see her, but Mom said a few things and was off to sleep again. The doctor should put in the order for nutrition and she should begin receiving nourishment through the PEG tomorrow. If all goes well, and she can remain pretty stable, there is a chance she may get released sometime in the next week. We just have to wait and see, and hope. I am hoping that there will be room for her at Magnolia when she is released. There is an open bed in the room next to Dad's right now, but all the cards will have to fall into place. We will just have to hope they do. Magnolia is aware, and the marketing director has stopped in to see her a few times, so I know he will do all he can.

I got home tonight and had a yummy Cobb salad courtesy of my friends the Russo's. They were kind enough to leave me a care package of groceries on my doorstep as a wonderful surprise last night when I got home. Just a handful of bags filled with snacks, quick cook meals and fruit...A Godsend...Thank you so much guys...It was nice to have something else for dinner for a change!:) I have soup coming from my parent's neighbor tomorrow. It is truly remarkable how blessed my family is to have such amazing, thoughtful, caring, giving friends and family. You have all touched us in one way or another, and I cannot express how grateful we are to have each and every one of you in our lives. Even caring enough to take the time to read the blog is a kindness in itself. Thank you for that too.

Oh and Lvonne, thank you again in advance for my massage...I will be going next week if all goes well with Mom.

I am off now to enjoy a pudding cup (thanks Joanna and Craig), and I hope to have a positive entry tomorrow!

Much love!