Home, again, Finally.

Mom is sleeping now in the Dining room (as she should be, it's 4:30 AM), easily and every now and then drowsily asking for some ginger ale. Yesterday was a big day. (Minor medical details follow.) A small procedure removed the most irritating nose tube and put in a more comfy (and easier for us to handle) direct stomach pic line. Her bowels are constricted in a few key places and the doctor says the severity and number of these intestinal speed-bumps will only increase. So traffic in her small intestines is at a standstill and appears as though it will stay that way despite a last ditch medical effort on Saturday and some good work by Mom in the past two days. So she's home now, and Ralph and Lorie and Dave are here too.

The folks at the hospital were real good to mom, and her brand of sass and smiles charmed the lot of them, those that could be charmed at least. While they were sorry to lose her company, it was with a lot of relief (and perhaps a little trepidation for me at least--at the hospital there is at least the illusion of getting better) that she and Dad and Uncle Dave cruised home in her favorite zippy little car yesterday about 9pm. I followed shortly thereafter in the subey after a brief loss of composure. She's wanted to come home ever since she got there and we wanted her back home, away from all the beeps and thumps and loud talk and that damn hospital bed that always interrupted our conversations with a loud and insistent wheezing at particularly important moments.

Val's housemate Emily brought by some fine chicken enchiladas for us last night and after testing some of the gear left for her by the hospice folks we called it an evening and ate and rested. Having the crew here is so good--catching up on everyone, talking about mom, planning out just how this is all going to work. There are laughs too, and smiles, and the sort of generally upbeat nature that defines our families. Grandpa Harold would approve--other than sporadic sobs 'n tears no one appears to be feeling sorry for themselves overmuch. We all know where this leads and all we can do is keep her comfortable and calm and aware of our love.

I haven't been much of a writer on this blog--more of a reader, along with most of you. Living so far away in NH kept me out of the day-to-day here. But we do what we can. So whenever I have been home I've taken as many photos as the family could bear, and then some. And in the last few days I've done the same, snapping away somewhat selfishly when maybe it wasn't the best manners or propriety. But we only have one take and Mom ain't coming back, so.... Photos will be up over the next days and weeks as this endgame plays out. An ongoing electronic wake or something.

It's getting towards the end of this third watch of the night, and the sky to the east is lightening up with that pale yellow that fades upwards to violet. Dave and Ralph are on next and I'll see if I can get back to sleep.

love to you all

nate