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Thursday, April 28, 2005
2:06:00 AM CDT
Hearing Branford Marsalis, "Requiem"
I feel like I'm living this week in short hops in my car. The girlchild's school system is conducting their achievement tests, but she and several others whose results were on the very high end last year have to take theirs at a separate location, so I run her to school in the morning, go back soon after and take her to the testing center, return her to school and then back to get her for her doctor's appointments this week. Tomorrow's the neurology appointment, and that's the big event of the week as far as I'm concerned. The MRI was tough on C. She was in the tube for at least a full hour, so I know she's glad that's over. I just want tomorrow over and to hear something tangible. I want some things ruled out. We'll deal with what we have to deal with, but I want to quit imagining what all that might be.
She got a big kick when I took her to Starbuck's as a treat after an appointment this week, and the guy behind the counter asked her which college she attended. She was carrying two books, one by Dostoevsky and the other by Jim Morrison. I don't think that hurt the impression. At 5' tall with a sweet face, she thinks she looks twelve, but doesn't realize that her bearing is that of a much older teen. With her dark sense of humor and a sense of style that leans to vintage and eclectic pieces, guys in her middle school age range don't "get" her yet, but high school is lurking, and yes, that keeps me up nights.
After many repeated illnesses over the last couple of years, it looks my grandmother-in-law's body is rejecting having a feeding peg. To minimize gross details, either the liquid nourishment leaves too quickly to serve a purpose or rises back to her esophagus where it leaks into her lungs. Her mind is coming and going at this point, and the doctors have prepared the family for the next couple of weeks for her body to do what all bodies eventually do. The peg is not being removed, but nothing, not even artificial measures work forever. She is 92 years old, and her daughters are by her side. Her grandsons are there frequently as are her great-grandchildren. Our farm (where we eventually plan on building a home) is the farm where she lived most of her adult life. The house there was built by her husband. For years Sunday suppers at her house were the family gathering time. My husband was her first grandson, and he hung the moon in her eyes.
He spent the night at the hospital two nights ago and early in the morning when he woke, he had a migraine so bad he couldn't see anything but auras. Her doctor sent him down to the ER for a shot, and he spent the rest of the day, night and a good chunk of today sleeping. He's an active dreamer and talks in his sleep. I could hear him muttering indecipherable words and moaning. Every now and then, I'd stop and rub his head like I would the girlchild's when she was a baby. Like with her, that always elicits a quickly fading smile, but then the nightmares returned. I wanted to chase those sleep demons away. He's got enough waking troubles to deserve some real rest. It turned out to be a good thing that he had my sympathy when he was asleep because he woke up so ill-tempered, my softer nature disappeared quickly. (I behaved and kept silent...well, at least most of the time.)
A couple of weeks ago, the mother-in-law fell at the nursing home while visiting her mother and thought she sprained her arm. It turned out to be broken. She's a painter and art teacher, and that's been difficult for her. Her first cast covered her finger tips, and it was a relief when it was swapped this week for a smaller one.
In betwen the running around, I've been reading light mystery books and watching Angel re-runs on TV and cleaning house. Nothing too heavy, unfortunately nothing creative. I think it's a way of saving energy for when it will be needed.
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2:06:00 AM CDT
Hearing Branford Marsalis, "Requiem"
Miscellany
She got a big kick when I took her to Starbuck's as a treat after an appointment this week, and the guy behind the counter asked her which college she attended. She was carrying two books, one by Dostoevsky and the other by Jim Morrison. I don't think that hurt the impression. At 5' tall with a sweet face, she thinks she looks twelve, but doesn't realize that her bearing is that of a much older teen. With her dark sense of humor and a sense of style that leans to vintage and eclectic pieces, guys in her middle school age range don't "get" her yet, but high school is lurking, and yes, that keeps me up nights.
After many repeated illnesses over the last couple of years, it looks my grandmother-in-law's body is rejecting having a feeding peg. To minimize gross details, either the liquid nourishment leaves too quickly to serve a purpose or rises back to her esophagus where it leaks into her lungs. Her mind is coming and going at this point, and the doctors have prepared the family for the next couple of weeks for her body to do what all bodies eventually do. The peg is not being removed, but nothing, not even artificial measures work forever. She is 92 years old, and her daughters are by her side. Her grandsons are there frequently as are her great-grandchildren. Our farm (where we eventually plan on building a home) is the farm where she lived most of her adult life. The house there was built by her husband. For years Sunday suppers at her house were the family gathering time. My husband was her first grandson, and he hung the moon in her eyes.
He spent the night at the hospital two nights ago and early in the morning when he woke, he had a migraine so bad he couldn't see anything but auras. Her doctor sent him down to the ER for a shot, and he spent the rest of the day, night and a good chunk of today sleeping. He's an active dreamer and talks in his sleep. I could hear him muttering indecipherable words and moaning. Every now and then, I'd stop and rub his head like I would the girlchild's when she was a baby. Like with her, that always elicits a quickly fading smile, but then the nightmares returned. I wanted to chase those sleep demons away. He's got enough waking troubles to deserve some real rest. It turned out to be a good thing that he had my sympathy when he was asleep because he woke up so ill-tempered, my softer nature disappeared quickly. (I behaved and kept silent...well, at least most of the time.)
A couple of weeks ago, the mother-in-law fell at the nursing home while visiting her mother and thought she sprained her arm. It turned out to be broken. She's a painter and art teacher, and that's been difficult for her. Her first cast covered her finger tips, and it was a relief when it was swapped this week for a smaller one.
In betwen the running around, I've been reading light mystery books and watching Angel re-runs on TV and cleaning house. Nothing too heavy, unfortunately nothing creative. I think it's a way of saving energy for when it will be needed.
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This entry has 15 comments: (Add your own)
-
I can imagine how hard losing grandmother will be to you all....especially your husband. My grandmorthe was one that the entire family adored and it was so hard to say goodbye. You'll be in my thoughts.
I hope you get the answers you need regarding C. I love the image you give us of her. She sounds like an incredible young woman. She certainly has had more than her share of struggles in her time. -
Last year and the year before were really bad years for us. My husband is a severe diabetic and was forced to retire because of it. And I lost my mother. Add that to financial strain caused because of my husband's illness, I had a lot of stress.
My point is, drop this in someone else's hands. By that I mean God's. It's amazing what a few prayers can do to relieve stress. As hard as those two years were for us, we survived. And you will, too. Sometimes there are changes that aren't easy to accept, but that can be placed in God's hands as well.
You, your daughter, your husband and the rest of your family will be in my prayers tonight. I am looking forward to hearing the result of her MRI. And I'm praying it will be something that will be easily taken care of.
Jude -
Oh my, Cynthia - so much for you, so much. I am glad you are taking moments to yourself, which you need dearly. Hope all is well with the daughter and the problem is not only minor, but fixable. She is a brave one to be in the MRI without complaining.
My thoughts and best wishes are with you, my dear.
Vicky -
There always seems to be something on your plate, doesn't it? Just like me. I'm sorry for all of the health cocerns that you and your family have. As you know, I have my share, but dh and the kids are healthy and they pick up the slack for me. I do hope things get better for you and those you love.
4/30/05 4:31 PM
Tami