Yesterday was a blur. I got up and went through my daily checklist, making calls, setting up appointments and meetings, doing what I do best. Organizing. Mom raised a good organizer. Rick and I went to Molina’s and picked up her newest craving and she ate it ravenously. It’s amazing what a difference the steroids make. I spoke to her case manager, pharmacist, and lead nurse. We finally figured out what happened with the steroids. It appears that the discharging physician at TMC, Dr. Wiruth, only sent along a prescription for 8, yes, 8 steroid pills when she was transferred to HealthSouth. The admitting physician, did not see fit to question this or, god forbid, write a new prescription for more, or contact her neurosurgeon and discuss this. Nor did the pharmacy. Good job people, you should be proud. What happened to the “do no damage” part of the hippocratic oath?

Bygones……we rode over to the Center for Neurosciences (another thing I am sick of saying and typing) in the medical transport van. Sheesh, that was hot. By the time that thing cools off, you are just about there. Note to self-shower after, not before this ride. While mom is better and stronger with the re-addition of steroids, she is still one impatient little lady. Some things just never change. We met with her radiation oncologist, who casually mentioned that yesterdays MRI showed new growth in her inoperable tumor. Great. And what’s for dinner? This may be something you are used to saying, but I am still wrapping my head around cancer and mom being used in the same sentence.

Rick and I decided to run to Texas for a couple of days so that he and Jenna can practice the father/daughter dance a couple of times before the wedding. I do feel like I am abandoning mom, but if we don’t do it now while she is at HealthSouth, it just will not happen. There is no going anywhere other than an occasional restaurant, when lucky, once mom is home. And, while this insidious disease is all encompassing, my daughter still gets to have a fantastic wedding and parents who are in the moment and involved. Call me crazy.

We had a nice evening with close friends last night and are thankful beyond words for their help and support. It was exactly what we needed. While we are gone, mom’s friend Gina will accompany her to her radiation appointments, and that makes me feel a little bit better about not being here, plus, mom will love it.