July 1, 2021

Dear Family and Friends, 

    Well, May and June have had some ‘ups’ and ‘downs’, I suppose they all do. First, the ‘down’ part: I experienced a strange sensation one night that left me with an excruciating headache (I never get headaches) and when I tried to explain about it to Linda, I couldn’t find the proper words that she could understand. It was more like just gibberish. She knew something was wrong so she whisked me off to the ER. 

    By the time I was seen there, it was all over and I was fine, but they still gave me all kinds of tests of the brain and of the heart, but found nothing abnormal, and sent me home with a prescription to take 1/2 a baby aspirin and be very watchful for any signs. They figured it might have been a TIA, or mini stroke, but is a warning sign to be more careful about my diet, weight and cholesterol. 

    Another ‘down’ thing was the death of a sweet friend, Helene Crump, who was so consistent about popping in on me with some goodies in hand, and sent such beautiful cards. In fact, she sent cards to everyone! My mother greatly appreciated receiving her lovely cards long before she knew her personally.

    Now, for the ‘up’ part: I had an opportunity to test the self-sufficiency skills I've been developing lately when True left on May 22 for her long-planned meeting with friends in Sedona, AZ. This left Linda as my care-person. Linda, however, had just gained a prospective buyer for a house and was pretty wrapped up with making that into a deal, besides caring for her own house and animals, so she was only able to be here a couple of hours in the evening to fix a dinner and prepare my bed for me before going home to sleep. Even my next door neighbor, Shirley, was gone the same two weeks as True, which left me totally on my own. Linda and I had changed a few things so that the main essentials were handy and I wouldn’t have to stand or reach for things. And I also had access to a “grabber” gadget, if I ever need to get something higher. 

    Things went very well, I think, and I am proud of myself for doing it. So, when True asked for two weeks to accompany her friend to Serbia to be with her dying mother, I said, “Sure, you bet, I’m doing fine here, so I think you should go.” This extra time alone was, of course, unexpected, and so was the tooth problem that Linda experienced that resulted in her being in bed for two full days of rest, with no time here at all. But I figured that, even alone, I could probably do most of the things that were being done for me. 

    So, I ‘pushed’ myself and fixed meals, using the stove and oven sparingly; washed and dried dishes, although not in the dishwasher; washed and dried clothes, using the grabber to retrieve ones from the bottom of the washer and the back of the dryer; then folded and put away everything. I took frequent showers and put on fresh clothing; prepared medications; and fixed my bed and nighttime attire for sleeping. And in the end, I survived!! 

    Since my wheelchair cannot go over the thresholds of the either the front or back doors, I need to ask a neighbor to get the mail and paper for me, and once they found out that I had been alone, they became shocked and upset with my girls, even though I told them I was doing fine and wanted True to go and be where she was the most service. Linda was in constant contact when not able to come by personally, so I was never afraid to be by myself. I was certainly glad to welcome True back home on June 20, and now I’m back to letting her wait on me and cook for me, as usual. But it was good to find out that I can exist on my own, if I ever have to again. 

    Another ‘up’ thing is that authorization from the insurance company has finally been received to go ahead and provide a prosthesis for my leg. I've had a cast made of my upper leg / thigh, and work will now begin on shaping something around that cast that will fit on my leg. Then we’ll see what happens after that. It’s a nice start. 

    Another ‘up’ was that the promised article about the overhaul made by my girls on this old mobile home, did appear in the Home and Garden section of our Daily Courier on Sunday June 13 and contained several nice 'before and after' pictures. It is really amazing what those two were able to accomplish. I wish I could have gotten more copies of the article to send out to you , but True suggests you may be able read the article online at: the Grants Pass Daily Courier web site. 

    I guess the last of the ‘up’s might be the fact that after a full year of mask wearing we are now able to hold meetings, Church and Temple services, and family gatherings without them. May you stay well, be happy, and enjoy a nice summer.