October 1, 2019 - Tuesday morning
78 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Terre Haute, Indiana

It's a happy boy who's writing this morning. I just finished talking with Mom who CALLED ME from the ICU unit at the hospital. It wasn't one of those, "I feel horrible," conversations, but rather one in which she bragged of eating a large breakfast and as she said, "The first I've eaten in weeks that actually tasted good."

Yup, Mom came flying through her three hour surgery, but then would I expect any less? She not only my mom, she's Super Mom!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all who have emailed or texted with their thoughts and prayers. I believe in the power of collective prayer and Mom's living proof that it works.

Obviously, God was listening.

Thank you.

These past couple of days have been quite the ordeal. My sister, Barb, called Sunday afternoon saying we'd better get to Terre Haute, a hefty ten hour drive from Pentoga Road. We threw a few belongings at the suitcase and left.

Well after dark and far into Wisconsin, we heard a popping noise then a squeal. I thought a tire had blown, but the car felt and drove normal. Evidently it was something that had to do with the air conditioning as we now have none. 

Just perfect. Today's high is forecast to be in the 90's. I stopped at a local mechanic's here in Terre Haute and was told it would be several days before they could look at the Kia.

We'll be driving home with our windows down.

We spent Sunday night in central Illinois before driving on to Mom's Monday morning. Yesterday was spent at the hospital, talking, having those private conversations with Mom that bordered between pep talks and saying goodbye. She reminded me she was a tired, old, woman and her body was worn out. She said several times that she was at peace, regardless of the outcome of the surgery. 

Mom was carted away Sunday afternoon at five and the actual operation started around six. Three hours later, the doctor came to the waiting room and said Mom had done just fine. The big aneurysm was larger than expected and the infection that was ravaging her body was bad. He flushed what he could then added drains to get rid of the rest.

We bade a groggy, but happy Mom goodnight, grabbed a bite to eat, and came on home.

Mom made it clear this morning that she's ready to begin the road to recovery, none of that permanent goodbye stuff. She told me that she hoped to get to the rehab center in her complex and begin regaining her strength as soon as possible.

Sargie and I will be going to see Mom in a little while. She said she'd be waiting for us and is eager to visit.

Assuming everything goes well, Sargie and I will be heading back north early Wednesday morning and I will start my final two days as kindergarten cop on Thursday. 

So for today, everything is great. Mom's on the road to recovery and we're looking forward to a day of catching up on the news and visiting with Mom... no, not just any mom, but Super Mom!!

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...