What a week....

I'm not quite sure what to say about this week....it's been a pretty broad range of highs and lows.  I'm at a loss to remember all the things that happened this week because I KNOW it was full so I go and check the calendar on my phone and it's empty.....so much in five short days but no record of it.

Monday was great!  We had the unexpected surprise of Alex getting his PICC line out, which went really smoothly (but I videoed it on my phone just in case).  Alex had his bowling arm back - it's a banner day and one we've been waiting 5 months for.  But he has this annoying little rash on his neck and he has a weird bruise/sore on his ankle that just 'popped' up, so there's that to be concerned about and try to figure out.

On Tuesday we had an appointment with our Primary doctor's partner because both our Primary doctor and Alex's oncologist are on vacation this week (this was not coordinated with me, so I'm at loose ends trying to find someone I trust to take a look at Alex).  This doctor says one of my most dreaded phrases, "Let's just watch it"😳  Like I never 'watch' the stuff Alex has that comes up - I watch it like a hawk.

Wednesday Alex got to bowl for the first time in 5 months.  He was so happy and he bowled so well, 154 & 184; he hasn't lost his touch.  It also looks like he has a job at Rancho Bowl - his dream job!

Today we were going to put new flowers on Ian's grave for Easter.  We were at Ballard and I got a call.  Before I even saw who it was, something told me it was my dad.  My mom had become violently ill and he had called 911. We weren't sure what was going on but thought it might be one of her medications.  My mom has been in ill health for a very long time and was mostly confined to her home with arthritis and other ailments.  After my dad hung up with a promise from me that I would meet him at the hospital I had this weird feeling......I was looking at Ian's headstone and I just felt him letting me know that he knew and had his eye on his grandma.  So I silently said 'ok, Ian.....you got this".  On the way home we would find out that my mom may have had a stroke.  Once I arrived at the ER I found out that my mom wouldn't make it (it's usually not a good thing when your dad is waiting for you outside the hospital instead of being inside with his wife of almost 57 years).

My mom had suffered a massive stroke and she would not recover so the decision was made not to perform any heroic efforts and to keep her comfortable.  We knew this is what she would want.  The doctors told us that they agreed with our decision but we knew it was the only one to make; my mom would be so mad if she was confined to a rest-home or unable to function at all.  She would hate for people she didn't know to be taking care of her or to be more of a burden to me dad.  We were more afraid of her being mad, even if she couldn't talk she still had the power of the 'evil eye'.  An hour later she was gone.  She would have wanted to go quickly.  We prayed over her, talked to her, told her we love her, thanked her for being such a good grandma to Alex, Amy & Ian.  We wanted to play some hymns for her as we waited so I clicked on Pandora.  I kept trying to find hymns but the only song that would come up was "Good, Good Father."  I think that was a good choice as she went to be with the Savior she has loved most of her life.

I like to think that those we have loved in this life are there to greet us when we arrive in heaven and I can imagine mom gently pushing her siblings aside as she excitedly looks for Ian.  What a glorious Easter she will have this year with her parents, brothers and sisters and Ian.  She loved that boy. 

It's been a heck of a week.