Wednesday, 4/4/19 – 4/27/19 ~ Mom started her radiation therapy.
Due to age and health, the idea is to keep her comfortable, so the level or
radiation is less that if it were to abate the cancer. She continued to have it daily for 28
sessions. Mom is rather remarkable. She didn’t have any problematic side effects,
other than loss of taste and dry mouth.
Her sessions only took about 20 minutes.
Since they usually scheduled her around lunchtime, She insisted on
taking me to lunch at Heritage Dinner near the Center. I had a number of
great dishes while each time we visited, she enjoyed the salad bar with the
liver pate and egg salad. She can only
eat soft foods and these she can taste and enjoy. It was good to spend time with her along with
my sister and nieces. I cooked a number
of meals, did some errands, reorganized my Mom’s office so that now we can find
things as well as walk around while not hitting or stepping on boxes. Yes, my
mom is a “collector” of lots of stuff!
During my stay, my dear friend, Carolyn’s youngest brother passed. Thankfully, I was close enough to be able to
attend the service. We spoke a lot during my stay in NJ.
Heather and Jenn decided I needed a break, so I was invited down to stay
with Heather for a couple of days. One day, my daughters invited me to join
them in a massage and lunch. We had a
great time. I really enjoyed spending
time with Heather. Not only did she
introduce me to her “boys.” Thor and Loki (2 adorable, orange tiger 9-month old
sibling kittens, who love to get into mischief and walk all over sleeping
bodies during the night!), but also to BLT Pizza. Yes, I did say “BLT
pizza.” It is a white cheese
(mozzarella/provolone) pizza with lots of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and
tomato. I was dubious, but BOY! It is
really good! And just as good cold!
Deb was able to take mom to radiation on the Friday, 5/19/19, when
Greg’s promotion to chief ceremony was held in USCG Sector Cape May. I drove
down to meet up with Jenn, Chris, Kel, the girls, Heather and Jenn’s parents
for the service. It was a beautiful
service as well as day. After the
service, Greg showed us around the base, checked out the PX (and of course
bought shirts and other stuff) and then we headed out for a celebratory
lunch. Just wish Pete could have joined
us!
Deb, Mom and I headed up to Deneen and Joe’s to say “hi” and join them
in some pizza (the regular red sauce, cheese, sausage and pepperoni type that
is still delicious, too!) Shelby and her friend joined us, but Jules is still
away at college.
While I was away, besides talking to me 2-3 times a day, Pete has been
busy with work and Bailey, but he scrubbed the boat, had the bottom of the boat
cleaned and the main sail checked as it is stuck in the furler. Unfortunately, the rigger really didn’t know
what he was doing and used vice grips to pull the sail and ripped it. Pete was
furious and the rigger didn’t submit a bill for his time. Pete also had plenty of food and enjoyed the
dinners which he reheated. He biked over
to the Publix for fruit, salads, bread, cold cuts, etc.
Saturday, 4/27/19 ~ Laundry was done, the bedding I
used on the sofa was put away, bags packed, hugs given and I was on my way to
Chris and Kel’s for a visit before heading south. The girls and I had dinner and a movie, while
Chris and Kel visited with neighbors for the evening. Sunday morning, I was
awaken by a cat, nose to nose with me at 6:30 am. My lovely granddaughters thought it would be
cool to sneak Ryder, their cat, into my room!
Of course, once I was awake, they jumped on the bed with me to chat. We
spent the day together.
Sunday, 4/29/19 ~ Monday morning, after
hugs and kisses, I left as Hadi headed to the bus and Kel to Riley to day
care. Once again, I was heading to the
hotel in Florence, SC.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P