Adventure on Holy Ground #5

On By Lois RoelofsIn Cancer, friends, Health, Health, humor, memoir, Memoir, writing

Now that I have so much to say, I have so little time. It’s been a race across days to get everything and everyone scheduled. Just minutes after I fired my daughter from helping me with the scheduling, I hired her back. I thought for sure I could take it over and free her up to take care of her own family for awhile.

Well, silly me. My energy ebbs and flows, my pain does its own thing, and my head is worth squat when medicated. So if you have any questions about me, contact my daughter. Since this is a public site, you may reach her through me via my caringlessons@gmail.com email site. I will forward to her. Ditto if you would like to visit.

I’m overflowing with gratitude for your inquiries. I’m hanging in and grateful for all my helpers, most of all my daughter Kathleen, and Marianna, my NP friend, my guest last weekend, and Amy, a former nursing student, my guest this past weekend.

After a lengthy assessment yesterday, I was found to be an acceptable candidate for a pain pump. I will have the pump inserted on Thursday afternoon. I’m hoping a steady delivery of pain med that bypasses my brain and stomach will help me retain my marbles and do away with nausea.

Amy and Kathleen waiting with me for my pain pump assessment
Pain pump, top view
Pain pump, side view

My most interesting event this week was going to take a nap at 2, setting my alarm for 4, and waking up close to 8, thinking it was the next morning, and I was late for an appointment. I woke up to the smell of meat frying and thought my guest Amy was frying sausages for breakfast. Amy had to reorient me to life. She was cooking meals, not sausage, for me to have in the freezer. I was not late for my appointment. It was still the same day that I’d gone to take a nap. She quietly directed me to the couch and told me I could sit awhile until things started making sense (not exactly her words), but I knew enough to do as I as told.

So I had my usual breakfast, a protein shake. At eight o’clock in the evening.

I found this experience very interesting! Just another adventure in my unique circumstances. I was happy Amy was here and could affirm that I have not fallen off my rocker, but I was pretty close. I did check my watch and my phone to make sure Amy was not tricking me. Thankfully, Amy is a nurse and knew how to “handle me” in my disorientation.

While Amy cooked, I tried to sort the piles on my desk.

Amy cooked and also cleaned my fridge. She found Marv’s applesauce in my freezer–seven years old.

More friends are coming. Even more former nursing students. Some Village friends have invited me for dinner. My son and his wife are coming on Thursday from the west coast. I am truly blessed.

Please wish me well and pray for me this Thursday afternoon. The pain pump surgery will last two hours. I hope to be back here this weekend.

16 thoughts on “Adventure on Holy Ground #5”

  1. Mary H.'s avatar Mary H.

    Lois, you have been in my thoughts and prayers constantly! So thankful that you are getting the pain pump asap! Blessing for sure!

    So glad that you have so many people in your life to help you navigate this “adventure” that you are on! Says a lot about how you impacted their life!

    May God Bless you and give you His peace, comfort and strength!

    Sincerely, Mary Huizinga

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  3. Marge Ecker's avatar Marge Ecker

    You are blessed to have friends helping you! Hope the pain pump is the answer you are looking for. You are in my prayers, sorry I missed talking to you in church on Sun.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Wonderful account of waking from the nap. It’s good to know of Kathleen’s care and of Amy being there for you. Prayers on going of thankfulness that your writing these posts and keeping us up (in more ways than one) a for the operation Thursday going well and you’re having control of the pain. How good it will be to have John and his family there.

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  12. Lois, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so glad to have met you through our blogs. I loved your book Marv Taking Charge. It’s so well written, and you leave the world with an important message because you wrote Marv’s story. I’m thinking of you.

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    1. drgeraldstein's avatar drgeraldstein

      I am delighted that Marianna is there. Amy, too. All the good and kindness you have done in life has drawn others like a magnet. Bless you and bless them, Lois.

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. Caroline's avatar Caroline

    Lois,

    Thinking and praying for you. Sending virtual hugs to both you and Kathleen during this sacred time.

    Chicago Neighbor Caroline

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