Christmas Pictures

Yeah...it seems I left my camera cable plugged into the computer. Foiled again by my own logic.

Below are some of the pictures from Christmas. Mom received her favorite things in all the world - stuffed animals and chocolate.

Mom's room is a Christmas extravaganza. She is watched over continually by larger than life penguins. Presents from the kids.

Oh my goodness - Ferrero Rocher!!!

Home for the Holidays

Every holiday and family event since Mom's diagnosis in March 2007 has carried with it the knowledge that it may be our last special day together. Last Christmas was no different. Yet here we are, one Christmas later, celebrating the birth of the One who defeated death for us.

I have a few pictures from Christmas but I can't find my camera cable to upload them. I'll post them later and update you now.

On Christmas Eve Mom was quieter than she had been in recent days, but was responsive both verbally and physically. On Christmas Day she was less responsive, sleeping most of the day and not very verbal. Since Christmas, she has continued to be quiet, most times looking at us when we speak but with no acknowledgment in her eyes. When I spoke to Suzy on Monday, Mom had slept all of Sunday. She was awake for part of her nurse visit Monday morning and followed Colleen with her eyes at one point. Her vitals weren't great but not horrible: oxygen 91, blood pressure 150/84, pulse 114 and mostly regular, lungs clear.

I left for Grand Rapids in a hurry Saturday evening when Paul suggested I do so to avoid the approaching blizzard. Even though Mom was very quiet, she responded consistently to my I love yous and I'll miss yous and hugs. Mom has her priorities straight.

We hope you all had a peaceful and joyous Christmas. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers for Mom and our family.

Recent Rose-isms

"I'm feeling a little glancy."

Mom has been in rare form since her amazing bounce-back last week. She's had a lot to say, and it's been hard keeping up. But here's a sample of her most recent Rose-isms.

(Watching Neil Sedaca with Suzy and Cameron)
The show is over.
(Not sure she's a fan)

(The kids say Grandma put a hit out on Jodi)
Mom, to Corey, arm uplifted and fingers poised to snap: “Eggfield – take care of Jodi for me.”
(The kids say Grandma then paid Corey off)
Mom gives the orange polka-dot dog to Olivia. “Give this to Eggfield.”

Jodi to Grandma:
Goodbye Grandma!
Is Billy back?
No, but I have a big test today.
Oh, he did too.

Olivia had a hard time reaching Grandma to give her a kiss. Mom waited patiently with her lips puckered until Olivia found a way to get to her.

Mom has moments of clarity when she is more self-aware. A few days ago she had one of those moments with Suzy.
What do I look like?
Compared to what?
Compared to how I used to look?
You look a lot like you used to look. You’re gorgeous.

I spoke to Mom on the phone Friday morning. She was watching a program at the time but tracked with me pretty well.
Hi Mom!
Hi honey!
How are you?
I’m fine, how are you?
I’m fine too. It’s so good to hear your voice.
It’s so good to hear your voice too.
It’s snowing a lot down here. They’re calling it “snowmaggedon.”
“Snowmaggedon…snowmaggedon…”
Isn’t that clever?
(Silence)
What are you doing today, Mom?
The same thing I was doing yesterday.
Are you working on projects?
Yes.
You’ve always got a lot of projects going, don’t you.
Yes, I was working on…
Next time I come I’m going to stay with you for five days.
Five days?
Yes.
Why, that will be wonderful!
Can I stay with you in your room?
Well, sure!
I have to get back to work now Mom. I love you.
I love you too, Patty.
Goodbye Mom.
(Silence)
(Suzy) Patty is saying goodbye.
Oh, is that what they’re saying?
Yes.
Oh, okay. (to Pat) They’re saving the body.
Goodbye Mom – I love you!
I’m not good at saying goodbye.
That’s okay. We’ll just stick to I love you.
Okay. I love you honey.
I love you too. Goodbye!
Goodbye!

Cookin' With Gas

This morning I called Suzy to see how everyone was doing. She put me on the phone with Mom.

Hi Mom!

Well, Hi honey!

How are you?

I'm fine...I wanted to ask you...I'm making some apple pan bowdy (should be "dowdy," or may be a brand new recipe), and I need some guidance, and since you're the expert...

No one ever told me I was the expert of apple brown betty (I misunderstood).

Things are changing...(Mom is watching the world financial news)

I checked the Fifth Third website today. I could refinance my house at 5% interest for thirty years. Isn't that great?

No.

It's not? I would be paying much less than my current mortgage and my home equity loan combined.

Okay.

Mom was completely engrossed in international finance.

When I spoke to Suzy Mom had not yet received her delivery of IV Cipro, but it was expected. Suzy said she was better than she was when I left her on Sunday, which wasn't bad at all.

I wonder how you make apple pan dowdy...

The Latest...

Mom had a blood draw yesterday during her home nursing visit. Her hemoglobin is 9.4, magnesium is low, and she has a UTI. She'll begin to receive cipro for the infection as soon as the pharmaceutical delivery vendor brings the IV bags.
Suzy told me today that Mom is better than when I left her on Sunday. Making conversation, saying funny things. Who would have guessed a week ago.
Just wanted to give you some good news.

Encore

The evening before Chris Darrow's funeral, Linda Darrow and I attended a concert of the Alma College Percussion Ensemble. It was incredible. They recieved two standing ovations and played encores after each. I whispered to Linda, "This could go on all night." And I wouldn't have minded one bit.

Early last week, all of Mom's symptoms indicated her time here was ending. We were all bracing ourselves for her finale. But once again, Rosie is back with another song.

Friday morning Suzy, Paul and all their kids took off for Birch Run and Frankenmuth for Christmas shopping and time away. Suzy had considered cancelling the trip after Mom's sleeping spell over last weekend. But there was no need for them to stay. Once again, Mom rallied.

(The Wise Family in the van, on their way to Birch Run)

Dr. Karkosak stopped by for a home visit early Friday evening. After all of the medication discussions and concerns shared with Suzy earlier in the week, he was very surprised to see her awake and responsive, and to hear that she'd eaten two eggs for breakfast and ice cream for lunch. He checked her vitals - blood pressure 120/60, pulse 78 and mostly regular, lungs clear, legs and ankles not bad. He said to me, "This is a miracle." He said to continue with one milligram of dexamethazone since she could still swallow (we were weaning her off of it in anticipation of her losing her ability to swallow). I think Dr. Karkosak left happier than he came.

(Mom with Dr. Karkosak 12/12/08)

After Dr. Karkosak left, Mom and I resumed decorating her room for Christmas. It's a little Vegas, but we're not ashamed to live large.
Saturday morning Bill, Pattie, Jessy and Tyler came from Traverse. Mom slept through most of the visit, but was very affectionate when they said goodbye.

The rest of the day was fairly quiet. We watched a couple of movies - nothing notable. The family returned at about 1:20 a.m. Sunday morning with amazing bargains. Suzy showed Mom a couple of the items of which she was especially proud. Mom was impressed.
This morning I read her most recent Christmas cards, from Jacque Flynn, Marlene Coglianese and Roleen Carpenter. I told her that Roleen had recently emailed her hugs and kisses, and mentioned they had always been favorite cousins, since they were the same age. Mom smiled and said, "Well, there's a few months difference." Roleen will understand the significance of that remark.


We read the poetry of Chaucer, Campion, Browning, Shakespere and Sydney. We couldn't recite it back to you, but we enjoyed it.

Update

Thanks to those of you who sent encouragement after my last post. Mom was a little better today. I spoke with her on the phone late this morning. Her voice was gravelly and her words a little slurred, but she held up her end of the conversation pretty well. Suzy said Mom ate spaghetti for breakfast and loved it. So, it would seem she's still enjoying our company!
We're grateful for all your prayers.

Sleepwalk

After a few days of conversations, Mom has begun sleeping again.
On Saturday, Mom slept the entire day after breakfast. Late in the evening Suzy held the phone to her ear while I spoke to her. Mom responded with "Hi!" and "I love you too!" Sunday, she slept the entire day. Her breathing became sporadically quick and deliberate. She did not respond to conversation.
After a quiet night, Monday was more of the same. Mom hadn't had food or medicine since Saturday morning. The Vital Care nurse, Colleen, visited in the afternoon. Her respirations were a bit high at 25 per minute; pulse 106; blood pressure 124/55; oxygenation low at 84. Colleen heard some fluid in her lungs. They decided not to put Mom through the discomfort of a blood draw. Dr. Karkosak told Suzy to increase her fentanil patch to compensate for her lack of morphine over the last few days.
In the late evening Monday, Olivia came to her bed and said, "Hi Grandma." Mom replied, "Hi honey." Mom had responded to some more light conversation when I spoke to Suzy around 10:30 p.m.
We're constantly asking ourselves how we can best help Mom. Suzy told me Sunday night that she knows there's a part of Mom that longs to be with the Lord, and there's another part that wants to stay. It's a contradiction with which the apostle Paul wrestled. We want her to stay as long as she wants, but as Suzy said to me last night, she knows God is excited about his unique Rose coming home to Him. We don't know what her last steps on earth will look like, but we know God does and we're looking for His guiding hand.

Looking Up

Mom is doing well. Her blood work came back today and although her magnesium is low, her hemoglobin is up to 10.5! Still below normal, but nearly three whole points higher than last month.

Maybe all that turkey and pumpkin pie paid off!

Last weekend was good. Mom slept for several hours after breakfast on Sunday, but from Thanksgiving until then she was awake most of the time. We watched Milo & Otis a total of eight times. Yes, eight. It's the one movie that holds her interest without disturbing her with tragedy or violence. Well, there is that scene where the field mouse gets caught by the screech owl...

Poor Corey and Haley started singing, "Gonna take a walk outside today..."

Speaking of adventures, late Saturday night Corey, Jaime and Evan helped their friend Eric with a film shoot in downtown Petoskey. It was cold and dark and they met several interested inebriates. Before they left for the shoot, Corey and Evan showed Grandma their costume attire, which she dutifully inspected.