Zoe and Sophia, Victoria, Grandma, life as we know it

 

After more than a week of hearing any news from Brittany and the girls, we got a call Saturday morning from Brittany. The twins were insistent on calling me and letting me know that dinosaurs are bald, just like Papi. Since I do not mind being bald, it was a fun discussion for the morning, and I am happy the twins feel they can tease me about it. It was more fun just to make that contact. Since Brittany has returned to New Jersey, the girls are back in the church school. That is extremely encouraging. We did not pry into other matters related to the relocation, but the girls seem very happy. Mama’s and my personal belief is that they are now in a much safer environment. Our prayer is that real joy will return to the home that, to this point, remains broken.

Victoria will be coming home tomorrow. She is now seeing the farm as a temporary living arrangement as she aggressively looks for a rental property. So, coming home is a liberal application of her coming back stateside. Thought she has thoroughly enjoyed her time in Honduras, the cares of the world once press upon her the need to get back to work. For now, that work will continue to be at the Walmart pharmacy, but that too may be a temporary situation. As uncomfortable as Victoria is with change, much of her life is now in a state of flux. Where each out these individual circumstances filter out through the haze remains for us to see. Her work. Her living arrangements. Her life moving forward. All is up for consideration and potential change. We will pray the Lord will guide her in all things she is considering, and that she will be sensitive to those leadings. If Victoria will look for that guidance, all will turn out well. Regardless of Mama’s and my opinions.

Grandma had a visit with a pain management doctor last week. Her medication was changed to help her mitigate the pain she seems to be constantly dealing with, but the real outcome was that the doctor suggested a treatment to eliminate much of that pain. He is looking into burning the nerve endings closest to her most annoying pain. His prognosis is that such a treatment should alleviate most of the excruciating pain for up to a year. That would be a blessing. There is some preliminary work required before the procedure, but Grandma is hopeful.

From Mama’s and my observational point of view, Grandma’s pain seems to be somewhat transient. Either that or her medications are only working part time. She will lay in bed moaning with pain for hours, then suddenly get up feeling like she can run a marathon. One day she will barely move about the house and the next day she will be doing the dishes, washing, drying and folding clothes, and picking up and arranging around the house. Those bouts of activity will be followed by a day or more of debilitating pain. We just take each day as it comes and help where we need to – mostly Mama engages in the help. I tend to be an onlooker watching for opportunities to help Mama as she deals with her mom and dad.  

I did get to help Friday evening when Grandma came into the living room almost screaming from pain in her chest. When she continued to complain that she could get no relief, I gave her a nitro glycerin pill. Within thirty seconds of placing the pill under her tongue all her pain had gone. To us that was an indication of a possible heart attack; however, Grandma spent the next several hours trying to convince us that it was not a heart attack. Why she took that position on the episode, I am not sure. She kept asking, “What just happened?” When I tried to explain (repeatedly) that she may have experienced a heart attack, she was dissatisfied with that answer. Finally, Grandpa told her that the pain was probably from indigestion, and that satisfied her. We let it go but Mama took Grandma’s blood pressure (which was very high) several times and made some specific notes about the episode to share with the home health nurse during the next visit.

This is life as we know it. Feeding and caring for our animals. Providing care for Grandma and Grandpa 24/7. Giving Victoria her space as she decides what she wants to do with her life. Wondering why Chase will not return our calls or take a few minutes to talk with Mama. Missing Rebekah and Bridgette this holiday season. Talking daily – or almost so – with Maggie, Cathryn, and Walter. Keeping up with the other children and grandchildren as opportunity is given.

Presents and cards will be going out this week to our children, grandchildren, and our greatgrandchild. That is always part of the fun of the Christmas season. Mama and I were at church almost day or evening last week for special activities, one of which was a live Nativity our church put on. Our adult Sunday School party will be Saturday evening after a final dress rehearsal of the cantata. Our cantata at church is next Sunday evening. It is always a busy time of year, but we love it.

I love the life I get to share with Mama.