Day 8

First, thanks to everyone for their wonderful thoughts, prayer and comment. Mom received communion today from some members of her church. She spoke of how it lifted her spirits. Nurses, techs and doctors have been in and out, taking BP and talking about how she's feeling.

Emma, Haven and Sydney were able to see mom today. It was really nice to see the three girls talking with grandma and playing I spy. Sydney's a stinker. She kept changing her target to keep us in the dark. But we're on to her now! Mom laughed and told the girls stories about when she was a little girl. They were good listeners. Sydney wore one of Haven's hand-me-down dresses to the hospital. She also was wearing high heels. "There's a princess in the hall!" a nurse said as she walked into the room.

The supervisor of the cafeteria had a good conversation with mom this afternoon. They discussed specifics for mom's meals. I'm not sure it will make much difference. Mom has a very particular diet.

She's all but eliminated hospital food. "It just doesn't help me," she says. Dad has been bringing her breakfast each morning and preparing her lunch for her. We've all been helping out with dinners and bringing items to hospital when we can. Jen's been awesome, helping Dad with making phone calls and arranging the details with the movers for the bedrooms. Her husband Alan has been home with the baby, Noah and Haven. Well done, Alan!

Julie called a couple times from Jamaica. It sounds like she is having an awesome time! She and Eric tipped a sailboat and lost a digital camera in the process. Sounds like a good excuse for a new digital SLR Eric!

No news about a discharge date for mom. They're still monitoring her breathing and the blood clot in her left shoulder. She's now on a pill form of pain medicine and blood thinner. She begins radiation treatment tomorrow at 1:12pm.