Hi!

Just spoke to my mom. Turns out she's not eligible for the last chance drug
trial (for metastatic cancer) because her kidney function is insufficient.
She has an appointment tomorrow to discuss next steps and set up an
appointment with the pain clinic.

She says she wants to come out to visit. With the tumors invading the bones,
I'm afraid she'd fracture something in the process of traveling. I think
this has popped into her head because even though she's hoping there is more
that can be done, the denial is beginning to fade about her future and she
wants to be with the grandkids more before its too late. Its sad.

I want to accommodate her need to see the kids. Just not sure how to do it
after spending 4K we don't have trying to keep my husband's car on the road.
We should travel to her because we are healthier. But getting three (or
four) of us 2/3 way cross country is a physical and financial ordeal.

<sigh>

Anyway - prayers for my Mom, Dorothy (or Thea, she goes by both) would be
appreciated. At this point, not sure what the best prayer is. Is it better
to wish for more treatment and prolonging her time? Or is it best to pray
for the least painful resolution? So far, all I can come up with is a prayer
for her to have some more time in a better feeling state so that she has a
chance to do the emotional journey that she needs to take.

An acquaintance of mine died end of last week. A very sweet lady from our
synagogue (a teacher who initiated the Reading Is Fundamental Program
locally back in the '60's). Her husband has been my mentor in synagogue
politics (he's a past president). They were married 58 years. They were on
vacation and were in a fender bender. She seemed fine and was talking and
such, but wound up with a brain bleed and slipped into a coma within a
couple of hours. They aren't sure whether the bleed was caused by the
accident or happened after just because of a weak vessel. The funeral and
first day of shiva was yesterday; they had to wait until her grand-daughters
could make it back from Australia where one is working and the other is on a
semester abroad program.. We've all been thrown for a loop. And its really
gotten all messed up with what is happening to my mom.

Sometimes - life can be a puzzle that you wish you had the answer key for -
just so you could have a hint as to whether you're on the right path (or
have already made a wrong guess and have fouled everything).