Sit Down, Shut Up and Rest...............

I am up pretty early today and have already enjoyed my stress breakfast, consisting of a half box of Junior Mints, leftover from yesterday, and my icy Diet Pepsi.  I'll grab something more substantial from one of the local drive-throughs on my way down the mountain to visit Papa.

It's interesting how our bodies will just revolt and start shutting down, when we don't have the sense to stop and rest.  I just couldn't make it to the hospital yesterday evening, with good reason, I guess.  My poor body just gave out after a very long day and I was in my bed, exhausted and hurting at dinner time.  So, I called my Aunt Mary at the hospital and got an update on Papa, instead of making the 90 mile round trip on top of what I just endured. 

I had a subpoena to appear at a Personnel Relations Board hearing in the big city, which was a 240 mile round trip.  It required that we get up and go at 0630 in order to beat the worst of the traffic.  Since there were 3 of us in the van, we were able to drive in the carpool lane and we made pretty good time, arriving with about 45 minutes to spare. 

When I know I have to get up so early and attend something so important, I always have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep.  Probably the anticipation of it all.  It was no exception in this case and I last looked at the clock at 1230, and woke up at 0340.  Wide awake.  Telling my silly self  to hurry and get back to sleep since the alarm was set to go off at 0510.  It didn't work.  However, the good part is that I arrived on time to our meeting place. 

The drive was enjoyable, since the 3 of us ladies really like one another.  I was able to share what's going on with Papa, whom they know since he worked with them previously.  One lady recently lost her mom to Alzheimer's Disease after a 9 year ordeal, so she was especially understanding.  All of us can tell a pretty good story, so we laughed, shed a few tears and the time just flew by. 

After the hearing we drove the surface streets trying to find something different to eat since we were in the BIG city.  We ventured in to Beverly Hills oohhhing and ahhhhhing, seeing how the rich folks live, and then we headed down restaurant row.  After finding that most of the places didn't open for lunch, we ended up settling for an Alcapulco, a mexican food chain.  That was probably our best bet, since we weren't likely to afford some of the classier places and at that point we were s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g, and ready to eat the upholstery in the van. 

Anyway, about Papa.  Although Dr. Black did not personally telephone me with a prognosis, she referred us to hospice and I received a voicemail from someone from there while my phone was on "silent" as I was testifying.  I couldn't stand the thought of talking to her with my co-workers present, so I put off returning her call yesterday. 

When Aunt Mary updated me, she told me that a representative from our local hospice visited Papa in the hospital yesterday afternoon.  She asked Papa if he knew what hospice was and he replied, "No, not really."  She explained it that it served those people who were thought to be in the last 6 months of life, to make them comfortable, etc.  Aunt Mary said that she was unable to see Papa's face, but he indicated that he was interested in their services.  "He knows" said Aunt Mary.  He know's he's dying. 

The hospice representative said that she wanted to talk with all of us when I would be present and said there was "no hurry" and she'd await my call.  I guess I will have to get with her today.  But, I'd still like to talk with Dr. Black first.  I think I will telephone her office and ask her to call me so I can hear it straight from the horse's mouth. 

Well, I'd better get upstairs and fix this face, then head on down the mountain.  Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.