On the upswing...

Well, the phone rang at 7:24 this morning...So, as I slowly got my butt going this morning, the next phone call at 8:43 warranted a "I am getting in the car now Mom..." And I walk into her room at approximately 8:55, and she commences with her "Oh I am so glad you are here...I know I am a pain in the a$$..." So, I ask her what is so important that I be there so early, and she says (wait for it...) "wait until you see my male nurse...He is gorgeous..." So, incredulously, I ask her "you called me at 7:30 to come down here to see your nurse???" And she nods her little head and says "yah...He's gorgeous!" What else could I do but laugh...

She was in pretty good spirits today, and seems to be getting stronger. They didn't start the tube nourishment until later in the morning, but she still seemed to be doing pretty good. They had seen on her chest x-ray (they do one every day) that she had some fluid gathering around her left lung. She had the same thing a couple weeks ago in ICU on the right side (probably didn't gather on the left at that time because she still had the chest tube in), and they did what they call a thorocentisis where they use and ultrasound to guide a small needle into the chest cavity, and drain fluid from around the lung. So, she had another one today on the left, and they pulled out a half-liter of fluid. It has got to be easier to breathe for her now! The fluid puts pressure on the lung and makes it hard to inflate all the way. They will send the fluid out for tests.

I didn't make it down to see Dad, but my Aunt said that he was up and talking the entire time she was there last night. So, maybe it is just catching him when he is ready to be awake.:) I will see him tomorrow for sure.

Mom got lovely flowers from our cousins Colleen and Gene, and I had an amazing dinner of soup from my Mom's neighbors and a salad from my Aunt and Uncle's lettuce garden. Sometimes the simple things in life mean so much. Thanks to you all, and thanks for checking in on me with phone calls and cards and time spent. You guys out there are my support network and I couldn't do it without your love, prayers, support, and good wishes.

Mom's spirit is up and I hope it continues. If the tube feeding all night does what it is supposed to, then tomorrow promises to be a great day.

Much love!