Roseann - "...It Does Not Look Good"

I'm so very sad about the latest news from Roseann. Pray for Roseann and Gary and call if you'd like. I'm sorry, but I can't say more either.

From Sue:

Mimi, here is the latest from Roseann. Sorry I can't write any more.

S.

From Roseann:

This is the latest and I'm sorry to say it does not look good. I think I told you that the blood cultures came back positive and I know I told you about the persistent nausea. The really scary thing is now I am wasting. I am losing muscle mass at an alarming rate.

Dr. K told me I can eat whatever I want. I told him I wouldn't get anywhere trying to eat hospital food so he said forget hospital food and eat what I like, when I want. Gary is going to have Whole Foods fix me some shrimp cocktail, filet with hollandaise sauce, and chocolate mousse for dinner. My goal will be to eat at least a third of that tonight.

I've been with people who were wasting from AIDS and it is not pretty. Please pray that we can get this under control. It seems like things were looking up but now, not so much.

My phone number here at the hospital is XXX-XXX-XXXX. I would like for anyone to call me even to just say hi. Anyone from OCICBW or Common Round. If I can't talk for some reason I'll be honest and ask for a call back later. Our phone number at home is XXX-XXX-XXXX if you want to call Gary.

I'm very, very lonely and depressed and so is Gary. At least he gets to go to work and see his friends there but truth be told, we both are at a point where we want to just sit and cry. The dogs have even given up on trying to get Gary to play hedgehog. (all toys are named hedgehog)

Sorry to be such a downer but that is just where we are right now.

Love, R

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Roseann the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Note: If you'd like to have the phone numbers, you may email me, and if I know who you are, I will send them to you. I will take great care in giving out the numbers, as will MadPriest, who also has the numbers.

UPDATE: After I pulled myself together, and inspired by MadPriest, who had already called Roseann, I called her, too. It was wonderful to hear her voice. Roseann has great courage and determination. She does not give up, and we must not give up either. She loves her doctor, which is a huge plus, as she and Gary are at one with him regarding the care that she is receiving. Thanks be to God.

Another Notch In The Barrel

Today, I'm going to meet Ginny S., whose name you may have seen in our part of the blogosphere. The count of real-life friends that I've made through blogs grows and grows. I'm looking forward to meeting Ginny, because we have both lived in New Orleans and in Hammond, Louisiana. The two of us loved New Orleans, but neither of us felt very much at home in Hammond.

Grandpère and I lived in Hammond for five years, and I had three babies while we lived there. Imagine! My children are all natives of Hammond. What were the folks in Hammond thinking with the babies coming thick and fast? We finally caught on that I didn't have to have babies that often. We were slow learners.

Please Pray For Tigger

Tigger is my son's cat. He is old and has an inoperable tumor or polyp growing in his head that puts pressure on his brain. Some days, he doesn't walk at all, and some days he tries and manages a few steps before he falls. His appetite is still good, but he must be hand-fed soft food.

On Wednesday, my grandchildren will come to be with their dad, and when they're together they will have a decision to make. Is it time? What about Tig's quality of life?

The children love Tigger. Each day when she gets home from school my granddaughter goes straight to hand-feed Tig. Whatever they decide, it's tough on all of them right now, including poor Tig.

No Email Today

I can't respond to any emails today. Something has crashed on my computer















and the mouse is missing.

Thanks to Doug.

Hubble Photos - Extraordinary

Evil Eyes

Look at all of them. They're magnificent.

From the Telegraph.

Thanks to Lapin.

Roseann Is Very Sick And Depressed

From Roseann:

Today at 12:23pm

I'm really sick hon. The blood cultures show all kinds of bacteria. They're going to have to remove my catheter nd put in a new one. I'll wrote more later. I'm so depressed and sick right now.

From Sue, with the caveat that she is 1200 miles away:

Mimi, This has become a terribly serious situation for Roseann, and by removing the catheter, and she didn't say which catheter, will help, but she is going to be on antibiotics for a while. I'm concerned for her depression.

I have no words except, please pray.

Gayle - Anniversary Of Year Three

Why Couldn't You Stay?

You walked away; you left us
Bereft, bereaved.
How could you go?
It wasn't your doing,
I know, I know.
Yet, how could you go?

Two years passed and gone,
Slipped away.
After you'd left, I'd think
I'll call her; I'll email.
Oh no! None of that!
You won't answer.

Now I know you're gone.
No thoughts of visits to come,
Seeing your face, hearing your voice,
The sound of your laughter.
Sadness lingers, emptiness remains.
Why couldn't you stay?

Grandmère Mimi - 04-27-08


Yesterday was the second anniversary of the death of my sister, Gayle, from pancreatic cancer. I still miss her. The picture above was taken on the grounds of the Tower of London during a trip we made together. I stopped to take a picture of the Norman chapel Chapel Royal shown in the center. Gayle walked on and I caught her in the picture. For her memorial service, we searched for pictures to include in a small display, and I found this one - Gayle walking away from all of us who loved her. I have it framed and on my mantle. For me, it says it all.

Reposted from last year. Another year has gone by, but it's no easier. I still miss her quite a lot. All the same words apply, except that another year has passed.

My First Communion Boy

Pictured above is my youngest grandson on the occasion of his First Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. He's thumbing through his gift from Mimi and Grandpère, a Star Wars dictionary, which he adored. The tradition is to give the children something pious like a rosary, a cross, a Bible, etc. I wanted to give him a Bible, but, as usual, I wasn't organized in time to buy a suitable Bible online, and none were to be found in my area. There was a "God's Warrior Bible", but that did not appeal to me. I settled for the Star Wars book, so as not to be at the ceremony empty-handed. Not pious at all. Or is it? Well, it could be. I found out what the rest of the family gave him, and he did not get a Bible, so he'll get one from us - later.

All the children looked so sweet and holy. My GS answered not one, but TWO questions from the priest, both correctly. He was quite proud, as was his grandmother.

Fr. Irish is no longer the pastor of their church - Fr. Irish, of the request for applause for President Bush during the sermon and the unusual liturgies with "Hail Marys" in the middle of the Eucharistic prayer, lost his work permit and had to return to Ireland. I'm sure the bishop will miss him, as there is a serious shortage of priests here.

May God bless all the children and draw them close through the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist.

Pray For Roseann

Mimi, Roseann is back in the hospital. The nausea was very bad and now her electroytes are out of wack, so the doctor's are attempting to get that under control.

She is very distressed about this.

Sue

I'm sure that Roseann is distressed. I would be, too. It's quite discouraging.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant Roseann, and give your power of healing to those who minister to her needs, that she may be strengthened in her weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p.459)

"The Banality Of Bush White House Evil"

Frank Rich writes with his usual excellence in his opinion column in the New York Times. Today's column is on torture. I quote the final paragraph in the column:

President Obama can talk all he wants about not looking back, but this grotesque past is bigger than even he is. It won’t vanish into a memory hole any more than Andersonville, World War II internment camps or My Lai. The White House, Congress and politicians of both parties should get out of the way. We don’t need another commission. We don’t need any Capitol Hill witch hunts. What we must have are fair trials that at long last uphold and reclaim our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.

Yes. Please read the entire column.