MISSING RAINBOW

Susan H writes: friends and blog followers, I don’t know about you but each time I open my email I expect to find a “Manorisms” there waiting for me to read. Knowing that there won’t be, knowing why there isn’t, I still feel disappointed. My mother’s perspective of her life and world around her is always so beautifully written. It makes me feel connected. I asked my mother if she would like me to be a guest writer until she was well enough to return from the Health Center back to her apartment. (I would never insinuate I could do as well or in the same style) She said yes but that she didn’t know how to explain the process.   

My brother Chris is on his way to Glendale this morning, with his computer knowledge, he may have created the Blog for Jane, he suggested that I write something to bring folks up to date with Jane and Mr. Bob.


Aging is different for each of us, some age with the grace of a fine wine while others have a less easy time of it, and then some of us, age like Roquefort cheese. Jane and Bob have experienced, at varying times, all stages. I wish there was dignity in ageing for all, but our family is finding out there a lot of parts that are not dignified, still, my parents have pushed through with Grace beyond what I imagined possible. As do their fellow Winsdorites, all amazing.


Thank you to the Windsor staff for treating all with dignity and holding each in the highest regard.  Be.Amazing


After my mother’s fall in the shower, dislocating her shoulder, moving to the Health Center, the retched effects of chemotherapy, something changed. I would talk with her almost daily and she would tell me she had lost her spark. She so enjoys the interaction to the folks that read her blog, meandering through the Manor stopping to visit with almost everyone, she didn’t have that to look forward to. She is not a woman that likes to be held back or told she can’t do something. She felt like she was ‘grounded’. Unable to do much with her shoulder immobilizer and having to ask for assistance each time she needed to move about, which is often, taking a diuretic. An extremely humbling experience.


Mr. Bob, still dealing with the effects of his chemotherapy and radiation, would visit every day and rest/nap on her bed while she sat in her chair.  They were together even if they were just being in the same space.


My mom, with her Humphrey sense of humor, sent me this card for my last Birthday. She is a collector of interesting cards.  

It seems my mother has lost her rainbow.


Both my parents had appointments on Thursday, Jane an MRI for her shoulder, Mr. Bob a CT scan to see if his cancer had spread. Calls and texts to both of them from their offspring on Thursday went unreturned, my brothers and I were concerned but realized they must both be exhausted from their appointments, my mother was not looking forward to the ‘tunnel’ again, for 45 minutes, she was anxious this time. So we texted each other with the assurance we would get a return call on Friday.


Friday morning Mr. Bob and Tim did get a call…. from Windsor Manor; Jane was on her way to the hospital. Weak with little color. My father still too sick to leave Windsor, felt helpless unable to be with her. Tim, who doesn’t do hospitals or medical things, has been there every step of the way, rushed to Glendale Memorial.  In the Emergency Room, Tim reported that she didn’t look well but was talking and the doctors were doing tests, moving quickly, which made him nervous. They decided to admit her. She spent the day in the ER. Her heartbeat irregular, difficult to stabilize. She was coherent and glad to have Tim with her. The doctors came back with “Arterial Fibrillation”, something that can be managed with medication and possibly a procedure. Tim stayed in contact with Chris, Dad and me through texting.


Day turned into evening, finally she her vitals were stabilized and she was moved to a room – whew


Then something changed……………Again her heart raced and then slowed, and raced again. Her blood pressure dropped, no explanation, Tim still at her side. Mr. Bob waiting to hear good news. Chris ready to come at the drop of a hat. I, being so far away could only pray and be positive, and supportive to Mr. Bob and Tim. I called my parents’ dear friends, Roger and Diane; I asked Diane, through tears, if she would give Tim a pep talk call. Her answer, “we are getting in to the car now”. They were there in minutes. I know many others would be there in minutes also, but that would mortify my mother, she does not like visitors, or surprises.


As time went on and no improvement in her blood pressure, she no longer coherent, they moved her to the intensive care unit.


Early this morning Tim texted me that he was at Jane’s side, vitals good but still despondent. My brother Chris on is on his way, taking bus line that runs Vietnamese variety shows on the TV screens. He will be there this afternoon. He will be a huge support to Tim and Mr. Bob. I keep telling myself she will pull through this just has she has with other challenges, she has the love of family and friends, there are more blogs for her to write, pictures to take, people to visit with, she is not done.


Please send Jane rainbows and positive healing thoughts. Strength, healing thoughts and an appetite to Mr. Bob. Thank you