Further update from Jeff

Mother and I had a wonderful conversation this morning on her veranda Shangri-La. Clear as a bell. MizFlounce was clocked in...albeit not at full force. Given I was talking with her about her situation and its significance that might take the jollity out of any tête-à-tête.

Why the dramatic improvement? It is not possible to say for certain. Sometimes folks going into a final decline have periods of increased energy, orientation and general lucidity apropos of nothing. I think Mother's may be due to the fact I suspect she has not been taking her thyroid medications for some time. That can cause anyone to be considerably slowed down, physically and mentally, even when in the pink of health. I restarted her on her thyroid med about 4 days ago plus two other medications that improve energy and mental acuity at the same time. Could these changes be producing positive results?


The more Christian or, at the very least, spiritual among you may be delighted to know that Mother has been chatting with a kind and intelligent chaplain for the past 45 minutes, Susan Miller. I arranged for her to come over today. And following this visit ... as much as Mother wants.

Mother was raised Methodist and is very comfortable with the Christianity with a very small "c". She is just put out by folks who have the "do-not-doubt" approach to their beliefs no matter what their religious background. Chaplain Miller definitely does not seem doctrinaire or proselytizing so I think it may be a good match.

Mother's friend, Tina has had some lovely white daisy's and pink roses sent in a glowing ruby glass vase just delivered. Elegant and lovely! I will sign off and trot them out to Mother. The timing could not be better. She will see and enjoy them completely. Thanks to you Tina and to everyone. Let us hope this improvement holds....and continues.

The day is lovely after many days of torrential downpours. I cut and collected a few of Mother's beloved peonies to put on her desk.


Jeff

a friend of mother and myself in San Francisco, Sally Pincus, sent her this card. Very clever and sweet it is. The imagery has some significance...Mother is so enjoying her garden, the Monarch Butterflies are self-explanatory given her blog entry for a few days ago and my friends call my "hedgehog" sometimes due to my very thick upright brown hair.
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1859814908006&source=jl999

PS I have no idea what this change might mean in relation to her chemotherapy? Perhaps it might be re-initiated? Nonetheless, the prognosis is still not even close to what one might call "good"...

PPS: One or two fun-filled quotes from mother this morning for you.
1. "How do I feel about my declining health? Weird. One day you are old and worn out. That's strange enough. Then your body starts drawing back for the knock out blow. It's so weird. It's me."
2. I read to Mom an email from her old friend, Ann Dunker who had many loving and kind things to say about Mother. "Ann is one of the world's really good people. What she said means so much to me." then a pause and MizFlounce looks up with a twinkle in her eye..."but where's the money? Times are tough. Call Ann and tell her I'll consider it a late payment for Easter" another pause..."I think Ann needs a bit of a good time on the side. Some good looking man" another pause..."but then she is not that kind of person" another pause adding "she is very sensible with money and would never spend it on anything like that you know."
3. Kelsey Hall sent a card arriving today detailing the excitement of a huge bird in her pool appearing along with 11 "birdlings" ... all of whom disappeared in a cloud of sparkles before she could scamper out to more fully appreciate them. Mother ... "How e -g -g -g - c - i - t- i - n - g...." (Mother is beginning to have droopy lids now). "Be certain to tell Kelsey I have four BIG birds and 11 tiny ones that sashay through here every day." (two families of geese have shown up; one pair have five goslings and the other has six). "Shur hope Pod doesn't show up and blow them to smithereens with his shotgun"