A Long Holiday Weekend to Rest & Relax

As we head into the holiday weekend, the weather forecasts aren't giving us the kind of nice weather we deserve after a crummy winter and spring. JoJo won't be venturing out anyway, but we do hope all of you find a way to enjoy the holiday, while taking time to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Here is the view from my new "favorite" eating emporium on the top floor of University of Minnesota Hospitals. Inserting the picture, I just figured out why they call it "Bridges". Doh! We're looking downstream on the mighty Mississippi. Just a few hundred yards upstream is the infamous 35W bridge that collapsed into the river on August 1, 2007. Most of the windows in the hospital are of the double pane type that have mini-blinds in between the glass. Don't they realize how hard it is to take pictures through those? 

Good news. JoJo is perking up and far improved today. She is still running low fevers, which means her doctors haven't quite figured out the infections. They may bring in an infectious disease specialist if they can't isolate something in the next couple days. The Foley catheter was reinserted as she wasn't able to last more than 20 minutes without a potty break. The downside of the Foley is increased infection risk while the upside is that she can now sleep uninterrupted and offload fluid at a much higher rate. It's working.......by the gallon. Treatments and side effects have added considerable water weight and she is swollen, but it is correctable in time. She received another chest x-ray to monitor the pneumonia. Other than that, we are planning for a quiet weekend. Unfortunately, it may include a Marine style buzz cut for JoJo, but the quicker we get that hurdle behind us, the better I think things will be.

She is back from La-La Land. We have had to periodically check under the bed at her request. For awhile, there were Santa Bears from Dayton's, a defunct local department store, living underneath. Then there were 2 children sharing a sleeping bag. Residing in JoAnne's head the last few days would have been a very interesting trip. All we'd need is some Grateful Dead music for ambience.

JoAnne has a special place in her heart for Memorial Day. As a youngster growing up, it was the weekend that her family opened their lake cabin for summer fun. May 30th is also her birthday and she traditionally received a new swimsuit. Her family of 10 would load up in the station wagon with a utility trailer tagging along. Can you imagine 8 kids fighting for the premium seats? Those were the days when they could lay in the back with their legs dangling out of the tailgate window, no questions asked. No seat belts, and I will venture a guess that the little brothers got to take turns sitting in dad's lap so they could share the driving responsibilities. That kind of upbringing is likely the genesis of our girl's fortitude and persistence.  

Followers of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion are familiar with the fictional Lake Wobegon and towns like Avon and St. Joseph that are near. The family cabin was on a lake in the midst of the geography from which Keillor drew his inspiration. It was an idyllic lake place and still in the family when JoAnne and I were dating. Shortly after we became engaged, it was sold. This prompted me to double-clutch on my proposal for a moment as I had become rather attached to the place. With some time on our hands, maybe JoJo and I will think about days past on Lake Watab. It always cheers her up.

One of the benefits of having JoAnne drugged up on concoctions like tincture of opium (I kid you not) is that she is subdued. I had half a concern that she would get ornery over her circumstances if and when she sobered up. Much, much to her credit she is in good spirits considering her plight. She is very appreciative of all the efforts of her doctors and nurses and is even beginning to warm up to the physical/occupational therapists. Her physician assistant Mary reminded her of certain tasks she will need to perform before she can go home. Otherwise she gets sent across the river to the acute rehab facility. That lit a fire under JoJo. She doesn't want to make it through this and end up not going home because she can't get out of bed.

What JoJo has come to recognize and genuinely appreciate is how many people are pulling for her and most importantly, praying hard for her. It is working! Unless there are some unique developments, I am going to take a couple days away from the blog. I am too easily using words like that, she, they, etc. I need to recharge my brain and re-bulk my creativity. Everybody have a great holiday and I will post an update on Tuesday night.

Cancer Sucks