Christmas Dinner

Friday December 25, 1992
Christmas Day

We sleep in and about 2:00 we go to Gary and Maria's to open gifts. We have a lovely time. Gary and Maria fix a lovely turkey dinner.

Maria had to go to Kaiser this morning to be checked to see if the test says she has TB. Luckily she does not. I was worried.

Mother poops out after dinner on the couch. I don't feel too well myself. I lay down on a couch too. I'm cold and I bundle up under a blanket. We go home about 8 p.m. Frank had taken mother home about 7:00.

Thank you Gary and Maria for stepping up to host Christmas dinner. For as long as I can remember Mom always hosted Christmas dinner, but her cancer and the chemotherapy were robbing her energy. This would be Mom's last Christmas this side of Heaven.

Justin's Dad John and I shared custody of Justin and this was John's year to have Justin for Christmas, so we would not be driving down to visit my family for a couple more days.

Strange that Maria had to go to Kaiser on Christmas Day to be checked for TB. Couldn't it wait until December 26?

Mom's Horoscope is Tucked in Today's Entry

Wednesday December 4, 1991

I wake early from my recent hospital schedule. I weigh myself. I have only lost 12 pounds. I am still full of energy. I eat soft foods. I have 2 loose stools in 24 hours. Not bad. I'm finally almost well. I take 2 more Lomitil.

In the afternoon we go to the movies to see "For The Boys" with Bette Midler. It's really good.

At home we eat turkey, dressing, gravy, and green beans for dinner. All is well--very well.

Tucked in Mom's journal at today's entry is a newspaper clipping. On one side is the movie schedule for Agoura Hills Cinema showing the movie "For the Boys" (rated R) starts at 4:00, 7:05 and 10:15. On the other side is her horoscope for December 4, 1991. She must have thought it was significant because it is the first time I have found anything tucked in her journal. Under GEMINI it says: "Remain calm and observant today. Although you are raring to go, it may be smarter to take things at a smail's pace. See how the land lies before making significant moves." Sound advice for a woman who can't stand to slow down. Mom's birthday is May 26, 1934.

Mom finally got her Thanksgiving dinner, a week late. Better late than never!

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday November 28, 1991

Thanksgiving Day.

Well, I've lost 9 pounds in 9 days now. I feel worse again today. This will be a lay down day. I'm weak and dizzy and also thirsty. I'll probably need more IV tomorrow per the nurse on Tuesday.

I'd love to taste the turkey Frank is BBQing today. Maybe tomorrow.

The oatmeal goes through very fast. I feel like doing nothing today. I don't even want to talk on the phone.

I decide to enjoy some turkey, dressing and gravy. I can only manage 3-4 tablespoons but it does taste good.

Frank has alot of turkey to eat by himself!

Bob & Anita

Wednesday May 1, 1991

Feeling great! Took a walk.

Frank and I drive out to Judy and Paul's in Palmdale for dinner. Judy's mom and dad, Anita and Bob are there for the week to help out with the baby. Anita has invited us out for a turkey dinner. What a treat! Turkey with all the fixens. We both eat too much.

Baby Tayler is so pretty and is growing so we can tell the difference in a week and a half. We talk about the cruise to Alaska we are taking with Bob and Anita in July/August. It will be great fun! We really like Bob and Anita.

It's so easy for mom to make new friends and now she is reaping the benefit of having lots of support from them. The cancer is not slowing her down at all. She is leaving for Hawaii in a week and on an Alaskan cruise in a couple months. Two years from this day mom will leave us for her heavenly place.