A nice uneventful past couple of days. We're into our usual routine of waking up, eating, napping, eating, napping, eating, napping, eating, etc. Oh, and also watching the Australian Open. Pops and I went into Chinatown early this morning to pick up a couple of goodies. The new Chinese bakery which opened up in the same storefront as the old Chinese bakery makes peanut candy with the original recipe. They also make mac nut candy. I would say both are best I've ever had.
Mom felt good enough this afternoon to go for a walk on the beach with Tex. First time since starting treatment. Tex has just about finished painting downstairs (thanks also to Farmer Boy) and has started on base board. He came to assist with care-taking, and he is, just in an unconventional manner. But he does know that he will have to become First Team once I leave and Gay returns. It's hard to leave, but definitely easier knowing I'll be back in three weeks.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A great, great day
That was Mom's proclamation today. She was up early this morning watching the Inauguration, and the good feeling refers to different things. Physically, she felt the best she has over the last five days. Spiritually, she felt heartened by the change in the government. Emotionally, she just wanted Dubya to fly, fly away. And yesterday was hump day, the corresponding day from Chemo II in which she had to be admitted to the hospital. She was relived to jump that hurdle and to focus on rebuilding her energy and white blood cell count in these next two weeks.
Plus, Tex has been painting the downstairs room and the freshly applied paint just gives a nice feeling of order and an inspiration to organize. Even Pops got his yard the way he likes it this weekend. The man is quite a sight with his trimmer. He likes to cut everything in the yard with that thing. It seems to be more labor intensive, but there's no denying that it looks good. Mom even asked him to give her a tour of his hard work this morning. She was actually able to come downstairs a couple of times today to harass/direct Tex.
Plus, Tex has been painting the downstairs room and the freshly applied paint just gives a nice feeling of order and an inspiration to organize. Even Pops got his yard the way he likes it this weekend. The man is quite a sight with his trimmer. He likes to cut everything in the yard with that thing. It seems to be more labor intensive, but there's no denying that it looks good. Mom even asked him to give her a tour of his hard work this morning. She was actually able to come downstairs a couple of times today to harass/direct Tex.
While she was enjoying her Lobster Salad for dinner (thanks Cuz L!) we started discussing the size of her stomach. I told her it must be about the same size as people who get gastric bypass. I'll have to ask the doc if that's something which can be seen and measured on the CT scan. I think if we knew the actual capacity of her stomach then it could be an addtional tool we could use when figuring out if our expectation of her eating capacity is realistic or not.
Change is in the air and it's great to see Mom excited about it!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Prodigal son returns home
The other day Mom asked me if I had any other projects/plans while I was home. When I asked her if there was something in particular that she wanted me to do she told me that she wanted to bring O'ne home. He has been with his birth family since The Flood. If I agreed then I would have to make sure he got his walks and was fed and got all of his potty breaks when Dad was not home.
Well, my smelly other brother is back. I really do not have any issues with him. He is a handsome fellow and not especially offensive for a dog. The problem is that he has had no training. He is huge and when you show him the slightest amount of interest he goes crazy. He could easily knock you down with his desire for attention and love.
I honestly believe in the therapeutic qualities of pets. I think a cat would work more wonders for Mom, but since she does have an attachment to this Golden Boy then I will add him to the caretaker's list.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Three down, three to go
I would like to remind all that I am only contributing to my sister's blog and I would not be posting to my own as I usually think they are a bit obnoxious.
Finally got to meet Dr. C on Monday when Mom had labs to make sure her counts were high enough to start another treatment on Tuesday. Staff and doc thrilled to know she's got another daughter. She also introduced family friend M from Texas as "her fifth or sixth daughter from Texas." From here on I shall be referring to M as Tex, just so we can keep all the players straight. He accompanied me to Hawaii to assist with the care-taking and to try to learn all of Mom's food idiosyncrasies. He will be covering the gap when I leave and Gay returns.
What did Tex notice most about Dr. C? She had black toenails. The doc had positive info about the latest CT scan - chest area is looking better. Great news, but sometimes you worry about getting too hopeful. My mantra is still One Day At A Time. Every day spent with Mom is a good day.
From what Gay had told me after the second treatment, Mom usually has pretty good energy the day of and the day after. This time was no different. This morning she woke me with a (new) request for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. I am happy to indulge all requests as they are far and few between. In fact she asked for an orange Jamba Juice when she was finishing her chemo and Tex and I drove around Salt Lake for an hour trying to find the one closest to the hospital according to his GPS, Hilda. Of course, Hilda could not know that the Jamba Juice was gone, now replaced by a Genki Sushi. After finally coming to that realization we asked Hilda where the next closest one was and headed there to fulfill Mom's wish. I told him we were going to all get a drink and we had better enjoy it, too.
So, Wednesday was a pretty good day. Mom was up and about puttering around, trimming her naupaka plants, sitting outside watching The Nephew and Little E playing around in the water for a bit, allowing visitors Married to a Farmer Boy, Farmer Boy, and Lady D upstairs, and supervising by osmosis the painting of the downstairs walls by Tex and Farmer Boy.
The weather has been beautiful for the past couple of days even though they've been predicting storms, record surf and destructive winds. Since The Flood of December 11, 2008 I am hyper vigilant about the rain. I am ready to run outside and hook up the drainage pipes to the rain gutter at the first pitter patter. I have discussed The Flood with Tex who agrees that the gutter people failed when they set up the system a couple of years ago. Another project to consider, but kind of at the top of the list since I don't feel like filling sandbags without my sister.
I'm sure the first is always the hardest, and I will try to keep up with the posts whether funny or mundane.
Finally got to meet Dr. C on Monday when Mom had labs to make sure her counts were high enough to start another treatment on Tuesday. Staff and doc thrilled to know she's got another daughter. She also introduced family friend M from Texas as "her fifth or sixth daughter from Texas." From here on I shall be referring to M as Tex, just so we can keep all the players straight. He accompanied me to Hawaii to assist with the care-taking and to try to learn all of Mom's food idiosyncrasies. He will be covering the gap when I leave and Gay returns.
What did Tex notice most about Dr. C? She had black toenails. The doc had positive info about the latest CT scan - chest area is looking better. Great news, but sometimes you worry about getting too hopeful. My mantra is still One Day At A Time. Every day spent with Mom is a good day.
From what Gay had told me after the second treatment, Mom usually has pretty good energy the day of and the day after. This time was no different. This morning she woke me with a (new) request for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. I am happy to indulge all requests as they are far and few between. In fact she asked for an orange Jamba Juice when she was finishing her chemo and Tex and I drove around Salt Lake for an hour trying to find the one closest to the hospital according to his GPS, Hilda. Of course, Hilda could not know that the Jamba Juice was gone, now replaced by a Genki Sushi. After finally coming to that realization we asked Hilda where the next closest one was and headed there to fulfill Mom's wish. I told him we were going to all get a drink and we had better enjoy it, too.
So, Wednesday was a pretty good day. Mom was up and about puttering around, trimming her naupaka plants, sitting outside watching The Nephew and Little E playing around in the water for a bit, allowing visitors Married to a Farmer Boy, Farmer Boy, and Lady D upstairs, and supervising by osmosis the painting of the downstairs walls by Tex and Farmer Boy.
The weather has been beautiful for the past couple of days even though they've been predicting storms, record surf and destructive winds. Since The Flood of December 11, 2008 I am hyper vigilant about the rain. I am ready to run outside and hook up the drainage pipes to the rain gutter at the first pitter patter. I have discussed The Flood with Tex who agrees that the gutter people failed when they set up the system a couple of years ago. Another project to consider, but kind of at the top of the list since I don't feel like filling sandbags without my sister.
I'm sure the first is always the hardest, and I will try to keep up with the posts whether funny or mundane.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
jr. bloggers weigh in Thursday
Sis C, The Nephew and Little E stayed in Hau'ula after my departure. I deputized The Nephew and Little E as junior bloggers.
The Nephew relayed 3 items of interest Thursday. I believe that this report was a synthesis of the collective observations he and his sister made during their shifts.
Thursday - 1. Mom was observed eating a dinner of ham, 2 eggs sunnyside up and fried rice. 2. A friend of Sis C's and family stopped by to visit and afterward mom told them not to answer the door to anybody else. 3. A "touching exchange" (The Nephew's words) was witnessed when dad came home - he greeted mom with a hug and kiss and they held hands and looked out at the ocean.
I asked my follow up question of course, what was so interesting about items 1 and 3? It turns out The Nephew had never before witnessed mom's eclectic eating habits and was astounded to see her eat breakfast at dinner time. [Nephew - please refer to Sunday Dec. 7 post] When I mentioned that mom and dad are often affectionate, D said, "I guess I don't know Popo and Papa that well."
Ah,young grasshopper, to acknowledge what you don't know is the first step on the long journey to wisdom.
The Nephew relayed 3 items of interest Thursday. I believe that this report was a synthesis of the collective observations he and his sister made during their shifts.
Thursday - 1. Mom was observed eating a dinner of ham, 2 eggs sunnyside up and fried rice. 2. A friend of Sis C's and family stopped by to visit and afterward mom told them not to answer the door to anybody else. 3. A "touching exchange" (The Nephew's words) was witnessed when dad came home - he greeted mom with a hug and kiss and they held hands and looked out at the ocean.
I asked my follow up question of course, what was so interesting about items 1 and 3? It turns out The Nephew had never before witnessed mom's eclectic eating habits and was astounded to see her eat breakfast at dinner time. [Nephew - please refer to Sunday Dec. 7 post] When I mentioned that mom and dad are often affectionate, D said, "I guess I don't know Popo and Papa that well."
Ah,young grasshopper, to acknowledge what you don't know is the first step on the long journey to wisdom.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
wednesday pm view from the sick room
Got Big E on the plane back to Oakland today. I'm following tomorrow. Sis C and kids are going to stay here until Sister A arrives on Sunday. I'm going to deputize Little E and The Nephew as bloggers-in-training. They are to pay careful attention to their popo, then call me and leave voice mails with noteworthy observations.
To our family and friends who have expressed interest in the blog and offered enthusiastic words of encouragement --mahalo. (Clouds at sunset, Photo Credit: ©G. Chung)
Sister A will be guest blogging while she's here hanging out with mom.
Makai - Mom enjoyed the gorgeous interlude this afternoon when the wind was stilled and the water like glass.
Mauka - The knife-edges of the Ko'olau stood in sharp relief in the afternoon sun.
Monday, January 5, 2009
the great human stream - monday
Mom is eating like a trooper today. We've had the daily food pep talk and reality check weigh-in.
I whipped up a 1-egg spinach omelet with brie for lunch and the photo at left is mom's idea of snack ala mode.
We discussed the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip.
We organized the garage and moved items around to mom's satisfaction.
(Cantelope and ice cream, Photo Credit: ©G. Chung)
more birthday fun
Auntie L came out with her husband Uncle R to celebrate mom's birthday today. The celebration was small, but heartfelt. My sibs and their families joined me, Big E, dad, and the honoree at home in Hau'ula. We called Auntie L to invite her and she said she would have come even without an invitation.
Auntie L and mom are the only ones left in their immediate family and Auntie L has been uncharacteristically sentimental the past few weeks. That is not the primary quality of their relationship, so it has been odd to witness the change over the past weeks.
For xmas, Auntie L gave mom a few presents among which a painted rectangular plaque stood out as curious. The piece had a wire handle strung with large beads and on it the words, "never, never, never give up." The sentiment is understandable, it's just the fact that it was expressed this way that was unusual.
For mom's birthday, Auntie L again provided some thoughtful gifts...and another painted plaque, this one reading "in all the world, there is no better friend than you."
I have to admit my bafflement at this previously unseen side of Auntie L. Also puzzling was the lack of reaction on mom's part. See blog title.
Tonight, as she finished unwrapping, mom asked Uncle R to find the plaque and hand it to her. When Auntie L asked why, mom said:
"So I can toss it into your grave if you die before me."
Auntie L and mom are the only ones left in their immediate family and Auntie L has been uncharacteristically sentimental the past few weeks. That is not the primary quality of their relationship, so it has been odd to witness the change over the past weeks.
For xmas, Auntie L gave mom a few presents among which a painted rectangular plaque stood out as curious. The piece had a wire handle strung with large beads and on it the words, "never, never, never give up." The sentiment is understandable, it's just the fact that it was expressed this way that was unusual.
For mom's birthday, Auntie L again provided some thoughtful gifts...and another painted plaque, this one reading "in all the world, there is no better friend than you."
I have to admit my bafflement at this previously unseen side of Auntie L. Also puzzling was the lack of reaction on mom's part. See blog title.
Tonight, as she finished unwrapping, mom asked Uncle R to find the plaque and hand it to her. When Auntie L asked why, mom said:
"So I can toss it into your grave if you die before me."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
happy birthday, mom!
This morning, Dad and I were in the kitchen discussing where to hide the new coffee grinder from the ants. The very wet winter is creating the same desperation in the animal kingdom as the current economy has with humans.
We called out "Happy Birthday!" to the birthday girl who was in the new bathroom in the addition dealing with the drippy nose she's developed with the departure of all-important nose hairs due to chemo.
We heard a couple of soft toots, then a BLARING Toodley-Toot-Toodley-Toot-TOOOT-TOOOT!
Mom was blowing Happy Birthday on the brass bugle hanging in the "music room."
We called out "Happy Birthday!" to the birthday girl who was in the new bathroom in the addition dealing with the drippy nose she's developed with the departure of all-important nose hairs due to chemo.
We heard a couple of soft toots, then a BLARING Toodley-Toot-Toodley-Toot-TOOOT-TOOOT!
Mom was blowing Happy Birthday on the brass bugle hanging in the "music room."
saturday's children - updated
Mom and Big E worked hard to doze today and were only moderately successful. They are an interesting two-some, soul-mates of a sort because of their fervent commitment to public service. I would say that mom has not been a workaholic of the magnitude of Big E, but I remind myself that mom did retire twice.
One of the discussions I've had with mom since arriving here has been her one regret -- not discussing her passion for public service with her grandchildren. Naturally my hope is that she gets to rectify that oversight.
35 years of direct social working advocacy on behalf of children and families - without a hint of burnout - is not to be sneered at. There was that brief hiatus as a courier in San Francisco in the late 70s, and then a break to complete her Masters when she was about 60.
I remember laughing about her application to the state..did they know she would be close to retirement age by the time she was supposed to pay back the 2 years they subsidized her?
It's been fun spending time with the nieces and nephew. One interesting conversation with The Nephew centered around Big E's work as a legal advocate for victims of predatory loans which, in today's economy, mostly means mortgage fraud. He mentioned that he hadn't seen much on the news here and concluded that; either it wasn't a problem or, it hadn't hit the radar of the media. I was impressed that he came up with both possibilities, though I admit to paraphrasing the 2nd.
Mom delights in her soul-mate's torch carrying. She eagerly awaits a glimpse of Big E on 60 minutes this month.
Stay tuned.
One of the discussions I've had with mom since arriving here has been her one regret -- not discussing her passion for public service with her grandchildren. Naturally my hope is that she gets to rectify that oversight.
35 years of direct social working advocacy on behalf of children and families - without a hint of burnout - is not to be sneered at. There was that brief hiatus as a courier in San Francisco in the late 70s, and then a break to complete her Masters when she was about 60.
I remember laughing about her application to the state..did they know she would be close to retirement age by the time she was supposed to pay back the 2 years they subsidized her?
It's been fun spending time with the nieces and nephew. One interesting conversation with The Nephew centered around Big E's work as a legal advocate for victims of predatory loans which, in today's economy, mostly means mortgage fraud. He mentioned that he hadn't seen much on the news here and concluded that; either it wasn't a problem or, it hadn't hit the radar of the media. I was impressed that he came up with both possibilities, though I admit to paraphrasing the 2nd.
Mom delights in her soul-mate's torch carrying. She eagerly awaits a glimpse of Big E on 60 minutes this month.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
friday's post
Mom enjoyed relaxing in the penthouse today. She organized and puttered, read, and dutifully ate. Dad had the day off so he got to continue the post-flood and new floor projects. It's been a good opportunity to literally clean house. For the visiting family members it's a fascinating archeology expedition. We get to catch up on past events and assist in the forensic reconstruction of Items of Uncertain Meaning.
Big E and I each got some work done and then enjoyed much needed cardio in the afternoon.
I think we're settling into 2009.
Big E and I each got some work done and then enjoyed much needed cardio in the afternoon.
I think we're settling into 2009.
happy 2009!
Mom made her escape from the hospital on New Year's Day. She was last seen getting out of a double-wide wheelchair and into a maroon Toyota Camry around 3:15pm.
There was a reported sighting from a beachcomber in Hau'ula who claimed he saw an older oriental lady in a floppy hat through the upstairs picture windows of a beach shack in Hau'ula, nibbling on taro duck and eggplant around 4:30pm.
Several adults and children were seen in the evening throwing poppers, playing volleyball and sedately celebrating the new year.
No one on the property would confirm or deny the rumor of her presence in the house but everyone looked relaxed and happy.
There was a reported sighting from a beachcomber in Hau'ula who claimed he saw an older oriental lady in a floppy hat through the upstairs picture windows of a beach shack in Hau'ula, nibbling on taro duck and eggplant around 4:30pm.
Several adults and children were seen in the evening throwing poppers, playing volleyball and sedately celebrating the new year.
No one on the property would confirm or deny the rumor of her presence in the house but everyone looked relaxed and happy.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)