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As most of you now know, I have had an interesting few years.

A move to Cleveland to be with Mom, losing her while gaining new friends and colleagues at work. Loving being close to Dad and family after so many years away. Coping and moving forward together.

January 15th I lost my job.

So, according to all the therapists in the world, I’ve experienced all of the most stressful events that people are expected to handle in their lifetime, but since I’m an overachiever, I’ve done it all in the span of a year: loss of a love one, a household move, and loss of a job.

So, why am I surviving and currently living in Caldera, Panama?

Subscribe to my new blog and see what leads to my optimism, hope and love of life, even when I’ve been tossed into such negative situations…..

http://livingthroughlayoffs.wordpress.com

Take care – and if you are in the snow – stay warm!

 

Guatemala parasites!

Dear Mom,

Oh boy, I have a doozy of a story to tell you!

Karen and Ron and I went to Guatemala on the big trip I told you about for the alternative therapies, based on everything we were told by Melissa about kinesiology and other energy practices. Just before we left Melissa cancelled on going with us, so the three of us ventured out alone and took our chances.

All in all we handled things well, but when I came back I had brough an additional little visitor with me, a parasite or some sort of little stomach/intestinal bug.

In a move I thought was quite inspired, I spoke to an herbalist where I got ‘the bug’ and she gave me some treatments to try but my stomach was still feeling kind of icky after several days, and I made it back in the states. So, of course I wanted to call you and pretty much already knew that you would say get to a ‘real doctor and get some real medicine, don’t mess around with parasites!’ but I went ahead and called Vida and Izzy to see what they said. They were both very helpful and of course have stepped in as “Moms” to get me to do the right thing. They said make sure that if I don’t feel better in another day, to go see a doctor and I got some names.

Amazingly, the herbal remedies worked, but I want you to know that your nursing friends are watching out for me (and Dad) down here on earth. I thought that would make you feel better to know about me getting rid of the stomach bug and surviving a third world country adventure -  and your wonderful friends becoming my friends too!

As always, I miss you and love you!

Mary

p.s. In case someone is looking for help here, The herbs involved in the healing are: quassia, chaparro-amargo, jacaranda, black walnut, reem and wormwood. The cleansing diet involves beans, brown rice, garlic, onions, carrots and zuchinni, only with butter and olive oil and no major spices. No alcohol, no fruit, no chocolate, basically nothing good and nothing acidic! Write me if you want more info.

 

Hospice Update – Sunday Morning

The last couple of days have been rough, as the doctors, nurses and nurse’s aides are trying to get Mom comfortable – as are Dad & I – but it is difficult to find the right combination of medicines to do it right.

We got a surprise visit from my Aunt Nancy (Mom’s oldest sister – in case you didn’t know, Mom is the oldest of 7 children!) and Uncle David. It was so very nice to see them, and for them to drive all the way in from Toledo to visit with Mom for just a few minutes.

The effects of the medicines are severe – extreme drowsiness, disorientation and confusion, not to mention yucky stuff like hard-core dry mouth and trouble swallowing.

Before I saw Nancy and David yesterday, I had spent a couple of hours with Mom where she was more alert than she had been in a couple of days. I was able to get her to eat some vanilla ice cream, which has is now her food of choice, replacing applesauce! I’m heading over to hospice now, as I hope to see that after nearly 18 hours on a less tranquilizing medicine (but one that is supposed to help her comfort and nausea), she will indeed feel good but be able to know more of where she is.

Kris and Magaly arrive late tonight and will be able to spend some good time with Mom during this week – so I’m going to do a lot of hard work this week in the hopes of getting ahead so when they head out again next week, I can maybe take a few hours a day off to get over to hospice.

I’m sorry for the short post today – but I’m rushed to try and get things done and am just really tired from this whole week. Thank you to those of you who have sent cards and flowers, they are much appreciated. Dad and I read the notes and cards to Mom when she is up and while she is having a lot of trouble, she still knows what is happening around her and smiles when she hears from friends and family.

We know that this disease is taking its toll. The doctors and nurses and nurses aides, along with Dad and I, are vigilant about everything when it comes to Mom. Together, we are doing our best to get her comfortable. We know she will be excited to see Kris and Magaly and while in the past she has declined all visitor requests, she may be changing her mind on that. Please know, if you’d like to visit, it may be short and she may not be who you would expect her to be. This is the hardest part. My strong, loving and wonderful role model, who is loved and respected by many, is no longer strong. But, as this disease does not and will not define her, she is and always will be loving and wonderful.