Another week of questionable progress

Sorry to report that this last week has been a downer. The pain in Mary's back got so bad by Thursday that she called (finally) the doctor. They ordered a second narcotic on top her patch to block the pain. She took Oxycodon on top of the fentanyl patches she is wearing. This is coupled with a twice daily Celebrex. They prescribed the Oxycodon only if she is having 'breakthrough' pain.

Otherwise, Mary does eat three or four reasonable meals/snacks a day. The narcotics act on her stomach so she retains some of her meals but not all of them. Some days she holds all her food and other days she cannot.

Her spirits are good when the pain is under control. After using Oxycodon this last Thursday, she had a couple of pretty good days. I must admit that a good day is one where she eats three meals and holds them all in. She hasn't been out of the house because she just isn't that strong or feeling that well since Wednesday the 6th.

During the doctor visit this Thursday, we will drill the doctor on the symptoms and the apparent lack of progress in healing and therefore minimizing the pain--perhaps the compressed vertebrae is not the correct diagnosis.

Finally, my dear sister, Maureen (not to be confused with Mary's sister Maureen aka Reenie) took a fall on the ice in Minnesota. She was at Como Zoo (click here) in St. Paul where she volunteers as a docent. On the walk from the assignment area to her duty station, the fresh powdery snow on top of ice was too slick and she fell. Damage? Oh, yeah. She apparently smashed her arm at the shoulder, creating a significant fracture where the the humeral bone connects to the humeral ball. Hey, I know all about that. I did the very same fracture about 12 years ago but I slipped in a shower--in Tel Aviv. I guess its a family thing!

Our parents built a house in 1947 located between the State Fairgrounds and Como Park & Zoo. So when Sis described the walk where she took her fall, I can just about imagine where it happened. I spent many, many hours at Como as I grew up--without parental supervision! The "A" on this map is the entry to the State Fairgrounds, the "B" is my childhood home and "C" is the entry to Como Zoo where my Sis took her fall. (You can click on the map and move it around if you cannot see A, B and C)


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She is at the complex known as Bethany in St. Paul. Its the nursing facility for the nuns of the Sisters of St Joseph of Corondelet. My sister lives in her own apartment in West St. Paul and its virtually impossible to function when your arm is totally immobilized so the Order is caring for her at Bethany. It is, of course, her right arm and she is right handed. Ouch! Bummer, Hal!

From 2008-11 Thanksgiving Week

My brother Dan, sister "Sister Maureen" and me in front of our house for Thanksgiving of 2008.