Latest posts
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Dr. Justine Visits Again
One perk of Vernon being in another hospital is that they have more relaxed rules about visiting children. Although there is a sign at the entrance of the step-down ward that suggests no children under 12 should enter, the staff I spoke to understood that emotional importance overrode the guidelines. So Justine and I took advantage of the…
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Someone Else’s Story
“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.” ― Robert Browning The other day, I saw this older couple on the beach, walking alongside each other like they probably have for years and years. I thought: wow, that sure is something that gets taken for granted too often—that people grow old together and, on top of…
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MRSA…again
I think these notes must have been left up on Vernon’s room-board from a few days ago because as far as I understand, several of these things have already changed. First of all, he wasn’t discharged in 1-2 days, and it is certain (not just possible) that he will have a Quinton (temporary) catheter placed in his…
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The Great American Novel
“Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.” —Novalis My friend Nancy and I met for coffee this morning. She’s been involved with this story since the beginning, so I appreciated the metaphor she offered. I had rolled my eyes at Vernon’s latest situation: once…
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A Little Get-Away
These are the words that greeted me as I entered St. Jude’s hospital in Fullerton this morning. What could be more comforting? I hope this unexpected trip to another hospital for a procedure does give Vernon some respite and rejuvenation. If nothing else than by removing the source of his latest infection. It felt a little strange walking through the halls…
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How ‘Bout Them Apples?
My friend Norm, who has survived cancer and knows about the patience that comes with recovery, has on occasion offered this wise statement about Vernon’s progress: “It’s like watching an apple grow.” Apparently that is what his own doctor had said to him. What more specific thing could he have said? There is no time frame to project.…
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The Importance of Personal Style
It has been said the clothes make the man. And of course we all know better. How frivolous, how old-fashioned, how superficial. But when I brought a new T-shirt in to show Vernon today, (thanks Trevor) he couldn’t wait to get into it. He raised his eyebrows in silent approval at the design and reached out for…
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Call Me
Tonight’s theme song brought to you by Blondie: So guess who called me today? Or maybe I should rephrase that. Guess who I spoke with on the phone? VERNON! I know! Can you believe it? On Wednesdays I don’t go to Brea, so Pilar, the speech therapist called to say Vernon had been very talkative…
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Happy Anniversary
… to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. I’ve been thinking about these vows a lot this summer. Though Vernon and I had a wonderful…
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Grabbing/Hope
Hope is the physician of each misery. ~Irish Proverb Here is a little peek at some of what Vernon has been working on, behind the scenes. What can I say? Though he is obviously doing better than he was a month ago, he seems to be slowing down again…not wanting to work, not wanting to open…