4th and Wesley

And update as of December 11th.

Mom has stopped eating and taking medication. We weren't sure if this was a temporary thing but she hasn't eaten anything for a number of days now. She can still recognize us and she doesn't appear to be in much pain which is our biggest hope now.

Please include her (and us) in your thoughts and prayers.


Peace,

Matthew

Thanksgiving

We were all very thankful to have Mom share another one with us. She wasn't awake much, but did ask if the Lions finally got a win. (Unlike everyone besides Dennis and I, she remembered that the Detroit Lions play every Thanksgiving)

We had to forego the usual giant production, and just all gathered together and ate fake turkey sandwiches with LOTS of pumpkin and apple pie. That might sound odd, but trust me , it was a fantastic day.

It reminded me of a comment by the singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, who recorded a final album and toured while dying of lung cancer. When asked by talk show host David Letterman what he had learned during the process he said "...how much you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich"

Enjoy every sandwich.

Indeed.

Mom's Fort

Mom has taken to relaxing and napping on her outdoor swing. We set up a sheet to block the bright sun (to our suffering blog readers in winter states, yes, it's still a little hot out here in the afternoons)

It reminded me of the little forts kids like to set up. Mom is back out there after the smoke from all the fires has dissipated.

Eileen has hired a nurse to come help Pattie during the week, the rest of us visit most days and we try to switch off during the weekend to give Pattie a break. Roni was out last week and we all fought over her cookies and treats.

It looks like Mom will make Thanksgiving, which we are all happy about, Christmas and the New Year may be a bridge too far, and although we've been blessed greatly so much as it is, we can't help but be a little greedy.


Love to all,


matthew

Election Day

Early in the year, at the height of the Primaries, something happened that annoyed my mom, whatever it was obviously forgotten as almost all of the histrionics of that time faded. But she scoffed and said she wouldn't be around to find out what happened anyway.

Well, she was (happily) wrong. She did get to vote in the election, by mail.

Anyone that has known her for more than an hour knows how she voted. And she is happy with the result, and like others, happy she lived to see it.

Birthday Girls

We all got together on Sunday to celebrate Kathi, Eileen , and Pattie's Birthdays. Kathi's is in late October and our "Irish Twins" Eileen and Pattie are early November.





We all made it out there, and Mom enjoyed herself, having a piece of each of the different cupcakes.

Breakfast at Mom's

This is a picture from last Saturday.

The weather is still perfect here in October, and we got to enjoy a
nice morning outside. It got too hot later and I was unable to convince Mom to head to the track nearby for the Breeder's Cup races.

In all honesty to everyone, these type of breakfasts will we fewer (and definitely not far between) in the future. Mom has been slowing increasingly, and rarely gets out of bed, sleeping upwards of 20 hours a day. We all knew this was coming and certainly are not surprised. Her medication contributes to this, obviously, but her pain seems to being regulated.

We all feel lucky considering all the circumstances when we first heard this news over a year ago. Please keep our Mom in your thoughts and prayers.


Matthew

October Notes

Hello All,

Roni was out visiting last week. She was filling in for Pattie who accompanied Eileen on a business trip to Hawaii and got some much need R & R. (And got sick as well, as have almost ALL of us EXCEPT Mom!)

Roni and Mom just relaxed, compared knitting , and watched lots of old movies. That's been a standard of ours since Mom can't get out as much. We've been watching mainly older movies, some old favorites (Harvey, Here Comes Mr. Jordan) and some of which Mom hadn't seen (Sunset Blvd., The Philadelphia Story)

But they are mainly a distraction from Mom's biggest interest, the upcoming election. Like most American's she is very interested in the goings on, and follows closely.

Thanks to everyone for continuing to send emails, cards, and notes. Mom (and the rest of us) enjoy them immensely.


Peace,


Matthew