Hazy, lazy Sunday

The wisest are the most annoyed at the loss of time. ― Dante Alighieri

It was a quiet Sunday at Harris Methodist HEB. Mom had one radiation treatment on Friday, and we were all nervous but happy that she was beginning treatment aimed at kicking back this awful disease. But the hospital runs with fewer staff on the weekends and, since they want everyone around during radiation in case a patient has a serious adverse reaction, no radiation was scheduled for Saturday or Sunday even though the oncologist felt Mom was sick enough to warrant starting radiation weeks earlier than they would otherwise. (Normally they would wait until her head had healed from the surgery, since radiation can slow the healing process.)

The wait is frustrating for Mom, and it strikes us as odd that a hospital would have fewer staff on the weekends. There aren't fewer sick patients, are there? Not judging by the waiting room anyway.

So yesterday and today, poor Mom had to just sit and wait for Monday, so she could resume forward progress and feel like she was doing something about this thing. Sitting and waiting does not come naturally to our Mom - not unless she's sitting on a patio in sunny Napa Valley and waiting for someone to pop open a bottle of Syrah. Instead, she's reclining in a bed that inflates and deflates every few seconds, facing the same view she's seen for days, too tired to enjoy any of the diversions we try to bring into the room. (Syrah not included, sadly.)

Many of her medicines (steroids and Temodar, in particular) have the side effects of heightening emotions and causing insomnia. She's more emotional than last week, and no one sleeps well in the ICU. The only thing that seems to help is surrounding her with family, hugs, and assurances that we all know she's strong and can fight this thing.

Today I reminded her:

"If you can teach a bunch of rowdy eighth graders, you can do this. If you can inspire a kid facing so many challenges to rise above and see his own potential, you can beat this thing. It just will take time."

She sighed, nodded and seemed a little calmer. As one of her nurses said, it's okay to be sad, but she also needs to get a little mad and determined to push as hard as she can and get back what this stupid cancer has taken away from her. She can do it.

Kindred souls

Beverly, Lisa, Robin and Barbara

Nancy and Alicia

The Worrell-Berg-Mack-Probasco clans were camped out in the waiting area as usual today, and our spirits were bolstered by visits and treats from many of our wonderful friends.

• Ed and Arden Mack, Peter's parents, came by and brought us all bracelets that say "God is big enough." Mom loves hers (and stole it off Jennifer's wrist to put on her own.)
• Randy McLaughlin, Mom and Dad's good friend and long-time wine expert, and his wife
• The NRMS crew: Barbara Hargrove, Nancy Kirkland, Beverly Barfield, Lisa Edmonds, and Robin Thomas, who brought us girls a spa basket of treats so we can continue to make Mom's stay in the ICU as spa-like as possible (and maybe ours too!)
• The wonderful Sharma family - friends of Mom and Dad's for more than 20 years - brought a delicious and nourishing dinner.

Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support! It's truly humbling to know we have such a loving community here to help us and Mom get through these awful times and reach for better days ahead.