March 30, 2017 - Thursday

57 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I see that I never did get yesterday's log uploaded. I was just about two seconds from hitting enter when Mom had the first spell with her heart. 

As most know, Mother had a double bypass two and a half years ago. That's a daunting procedure for the most hearty person, but for an eighty seven year old, it's almost unheard of.

Mom came through the surgery and recovery like a trooper. Since, she's had small episodes of a fibrillation, a heart that beats out of rhythm, but they have mostly been controlled with medication.

A few flare ups occurred early last week after Mom's colon operation that kept her in the hospital a day or two longer than planned. Once home, she began to have more frequent episodes.

We were having our coffee yesterday morning when Mom announced that she needed to visit the bathroom. I was, in fact, proof reading yesterday's blog and getting ready to upload it to the internet.

Something seemed strange. There was no noise coming from the bathroom. I rose from the chair and asked Mom if everything was okay.

No answer.

I found Mother slumped over, her head on her knees and unresponsive. I felt for a pulse and was happy to find one, but it was racing, so fast that I couldn't count the beats. It was performing a drum roll, not a common street beat. 

I got her back to her bed where I called the nurse on duty at her senior complex, called my sister, and dialed 911, not necessarily in that order. 

By the time the ambulance arrived and Mom was placed on the gurney, she was talking and smiling. I remember thinking, "Darn it Mom, I thought you were dead twenty minutes ago. The least you can do is not socialize with the cute paramedics and smile so much!"

Mom's a class act. That's not the way she rolls.

Mom is sick. Further tests at the hospital indicate that she has congenital heart failure with fluid around her heart and lungs. She also has pancreatitis. I'm unsure where that came from, but my sister indicated it could all stem from her heart problems coupled with last week's major operation for colon cancer.

While Mom was undergoing tests, I talked with the director of the rehabilitation unit and director of nursing in the rehab wing of Mom's complex. Mom will be visiting them for a week or two after she's released to gain her strength back and be able to live on her own.

Mom insisted last night that I go home today. As she said, there's nothing I can do other than sit and look at her in the hospital and once she's back in her community, she'll be busy with rehab. 

Somehow, I feel as though I'm cramping her style, even while she's lying in a hospital bed hooked up to tubes and monitors. 

So, after talking at length with my sister, Barbara, I've decided to go ahead and make that long drive north. Sargie and I very well could be heading back this way sooner rather than later if Mom needs us, but for now, I'll point the car north and travel to much more familiar territory.

It appears I'll be going through thunderstorms in the south and eventually snow in the north. I know God doesn't give us more than we can handle, but honestly, I could do without the inclement weather today. 

One thing I know for certain, there's a wonderful, loving, beautiful, girl waiting for me five-hundred and fifty miles north of here. She's the best prescription that anyone could write for this guy. Hang on honey, I should be there late this afternoon or evening and yes, I'll be careful.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers. I've read many of your messages to Mom over the past ten days and all have bolstered her spirits. I don't mean to be a prayer hog, but if you could continue saying them for Mom, we would be so appreciative. 

I purposely waited until this morning to finish packing so I wouldn't be tempted to leave before daylight. On the positive side, Sargie hasn't called to tell me we won the lottery, so I won't have to worry about loading the ATV sitting in the mall. 

Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get that beautiful garden pond and waterfalls and the grand piano onto the roof of the Kia to take home.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road... via Terre Haute, Indiana... soon to be back to Pentoga Road...

Written early Wednesday morning

Practicing for the 2017 swim suit edition of Sports Illustrated.
Building strength and endurance, Mom walked to the dining room last night and even made a detour around the garden pond on her way back.

March 29, 2017 - Wednesday

50 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Terre Haute, Indiana

I'm approaching the end of my stay in the Hoosier state. Mom continues on the mend and when she feels good, I can tell that I'm not the only one who is getting itchy feet. Still, getting better isn't always a leaps and bound type of thing, sometimes it's a methodical journey of putting one foot in front of the other. I'm playing my departure by ear.

When Mom feels well, I can tell the call of the wild, that natural instinct to run with one's girl gang, is beckoning to her. There are cards to play, bingo games to attend, evening musical programs to sing along with, multiple meetings to attend, and most importantly, lots and lots of conversations in which to partake. Mom has missed ten days of local news, the really important stuff from around the senior community. If Mom has a good day, it'll be time for this guy to point the car north tomorrow morning to begin my journey home. If it's iffy, I'll stay and sponge off of her for another day. The dining room has excellent food and even better ice cream!

I've got a real dilemma. Assuming I win the lottery over the next twenty-four hours, I want to take the Honda side-by-side home. Then there's the garden pond I wrote about yesterday. Now there's another item to add to that list.

Uh huh, it's the digital grand piano sitting in the lobby downstairs. I have no idea how many thousands of dollars it would cost if purchased new, but I've never seen anyone play it. I'm pretty sure no one would care if I bring it home. I just don't know how to get the ATV, the garden pond and waterfalls, AND the grand piano to fit in the Kia. I've got twenty-four hours to figure it all out.

Mom had a good day yesterday. She bounced out of bed in the morning and was soon sitting in her recliner eating breakfast. A short nap followed soon after. 

I left her for a couple of hours and made my way to the mall for some additional lady's clearance items. We're going to have to build another closet for Sargie to hang everything, but assuming she likes some of the tops (admittedly, I have NO taste in women's clothing) she should be able to sport some different looks. If they aren't her style, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. You can't go too far wrong when a piece is originally priced at $79, then it's marked down 85% with an additional 55% discount after that. If this whole shopping thing is successful, maybe I'll get a certificate of merit from the Sargie School of Clearance Shopping. Only time will tell.

Mom had a bit of discomfort Tuesday afternoon. She complained that her incision was hurting along with a hernia that she had repaired, but has resurfaced. I've told Mom to stay out of the weight room and quit pumping iron, but she insists.

We were taking an afternoon walk when she became tired and short of breath. Seems her heart was beating a bit too fast, so we came back to the apartment.

When Barb and John, my sister and brother in law, arrived late in the afternoon, they gave Mom an examination and found her heart rate, oxygen, pulse, and gas mileage, where it should be and Mother was pronounced good to go for another round.

Since it was dinner time, the four us walked to the dining area where we enjoyed good conversations and an excellent meal.

With Mom leading the way, we walked the length of the complex to the dining area. She must have been hungry as the rest of us had to sprint to keep up with her.

Mom had a quiet night and other than having to heed nature's call, slept well. In fact, it's currently 7 AM and she's still in bed. A healing girl requires a great deal of sleep.

Today's a big day around here. Mom has a beauty appointment at 10 AM. I'll walk her down then I think I'm going to let her do a solo stroll back to her apartment while I go to Sam's Club for some needed items at home. Toilet paper, paper towels, and rawhide bones, aren't nearly as much fun to buy as clearance items, but sometimes we have to take one for the team. In this case, paper goods seem to be at the top of the list today.

Other than that, Mom and I will, no doubt, spend the day talking, walking, and if the weatherman is to believed, we might take a stroll outside and enjoy the spring temperatures.

I'm going to play my departure day by ear, see how Mom feels. It could be Thursday, possibly a bit later. I want to make sure my mommy is back to tap dancing and running with the girl gang before I leave. You know, that call of the wild thing.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road... by way of Terre Haute, Indiana...

That's a mallard hen duck roosting on top of that wall. On the other side is my garden pond. Well, it's only mine if I can figure out how to get it home along with the ATV and grand piano.