Nancy and Nancy, Jr.

My mother has been in poor health for some time.  When someone asks how she is, my answer is "how long do you have?'  She has had her left knee replaced once and her right knee replaced three times.  Her bone kept deteriorating from the prosthesis.  She now has a "super prosthesis" and the Dr. was aggressive in replacing bone with prosthesis.  We call her the bionic woman. 
About six months ago, she started to get out of bed first thing in the morning and she fell out of bed.  After the fall, she had deep tissue injury and strong infection set in.  About six weeks ago, she had surgery to clean out the knee.  During that hospital stay, they put a port into the inside of her right arm.  The port has tubing which runs directly into her heart.  The antibiotics are put into the port and then her heart pumps the antibiotics through-out her body.  This won't be forever- but for a while.  A couple of weeks after she was home from that surgery, she had another fall and her knee burst open.  It was something akin to a compound-fracture except what was protruding wasn't bone but her prosthesis.  Horrific.  My Dad called 9-1-1 and then held a cloth over her knee.  She lost a pint and a half of blood.
I was sick with sinus infection and probably bronchitis or pneumonia and when my sister contacted me, I could not go to the hospital.  I was  torn, but it wouldn't have helped anyone for me to go.  I am the oldest.  My role it to sweep in and take over.  To take care of everyone.  I have two siblings so my brother and sister each stepped up to help our parents.  I was sick for almost three weeks.  Yesterday was the first day that we were able to make the two-plus hour trip to see my mother.  I called ahead and asked if we might bring Chelsea.  My mother was tickled.


well, hello there!



ma mere et moi

Chelsea is so over this little photo session

 Mother was only seventeen when she had me.  All of my life we've gotten the "oh, you two look more like sisters than mother and daughter."  My mother would giggle and I would groan.  We do look a lot alike.  That is why I refer to myself  as "Nancy, Jr."  

My mother still has a long road to recovery ahead of her.  They have told her she may be on antibiotics forever.  She has lost a lot of muscle mass and strength.  (And confidence.)  They are working with her on walking.  My Dad has been instrumental in her care for quite some time, now and he has done a great job.  Please send all prayers, good karma and healing thoughts her way.  She has a great attitude and she is a fighter.  I get my positive, tenacious spirit from her example.