Are We Lazy Or What?

Monday November 2, 1992

Awake at 7:30 but Frank is sleeping well until 8:15. He got up a few times during the night to quiet the dogs. It seems like they barked all night. We get up at 9 a.m. Are we getting lazy or what?

I would love to go square dancing tonight, but I just don't have the energy. I spend most of the day paying bills. Doris comes to visit from next door. She brings me flowers. How sweet!

I cannot remember Mom being sick one single day when I was growing up, even though I had plenty of sick days. I always thought it was strange, like Moms don't get sick? Now that I am a Mom myself I realize that Moms do indeed get sick, but my Mom considered it "lazy" to stay in bed whether sick or tired or injured, so every morning, no matter how rough her night or how crummy she felt she would force herself to get up, shower, curl her hair and coat it with hair spray, and put on make-up before she would begin her day.

Lots of Flowers

Wednesday October 9, 1991

Marie goes home today. Dr. Bienstock is very pleased with my recovery. He actually seemed excited today. Yesterday they gave me Gary's donated blood. I am so hungry. The tube down my throat must stay another day so I don't know when I'll get to eat.

Yesterday Frank was here 11:30-6:00. Today he came at 1:30. I received more flowers. I have lovely flowers from Chris, Shirley, Marc & family, and Bob and Anita (Judy's folks). I am up quite awhile today and walk a few trips.

The nurses are mostly Filipino, just like L.A. Frank has called everyone. He's so good. About 6 p.m. he went home. I insisted. Four people called. I told them my throat hurt from the tube and our conversations were short.

I am assuming that Marie is her grumpy roommate. How nice that Mom now had peace and quiet. I suppose she had to be on a liquid diet for some time after her surgery, but I'm wondering what is the reason for the feeding tube? I have never had a feeding tube after any of my surgeries. I thought the IV supplied fluids and nutrients the first day, followed by a liquid diet, then a soft diet, and then normal food. The tube sounds so uncomfortable. Any doctors or nurses out there to shed some light on this?

Best Friend Donna

Sunday April 14, 1991

I'm up and around today but still nauseated and losing weight. I've lost 13 pounds in 2 weeks. I try to eat but can only manage a spoonful or two of toast, yogurt or jello still.

The phone rings alot. Everyone wants to know how I'm doing.

I received a beautiful floral arrangement from Paul and Judy on Friday. Yesterday the florist delivered one with lots of balloons and flowers from Phillip and Debby.

I've spoken with my best friend since Jr. High, Donna, a couple of times. I hated to tell her--this time I have cancer. She had breast cancer and a mastectomy 6 years ago. She is very upset for me, and Bob is too.

I have many relatives and friends to call. I want to share this with everyone who cares about me. I need all their prayers.

Paul and Phillip are mom's stepsons. Judy and Debby were their wives. Mom was the one who did most of the work to merge Frank's family and her family when they married in 1982. She kept in touch with all the kids and hosted all the family holiday get-togethers. I'm so happy that her friends and family, including her stepchildren, rallied around her and especially proud that she wanted to share her news with everyone who cared about her and ask for their prayers. She believed in the power of prayer.

Donna was like part of our family when I was growing up. Our families did everything together. We all prayed for Donna when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Donna and I both drove to Woodland Hills to be at mom's bedside in the hospital. Donna lived east of Sacramento in Pollock Pines. I lived in Windsor 70 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Donna was the one person I wanted to call when mom passed away. I knew she would be devastated more than anyone outside the immediate family and I wanted to be the one to give her the sad news. Her husband Bob told us Donna said not one word the entire drive south for the funeral, a 7 hour drive.