Checking in...

A good night for everyone.

Last evening, Fr. Mike came out from St. Charles. Dad, Mike and I joined him as he gave Mom the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. It was quiet and beautiful, and a special time of grace for our family together.

Mom had a bronchoscopy this morning - which took just 20 minutes. The docs consider it successful: her lungs looked relatively good and they have results to work with. They were able to 'wash the insides of her lungs with a saline solution', allowing the scope to pick up a good deal of samples for testing. Pathology reports could take up to a few days - so we'll know more then.

Mom's oxygen fell again last night - so they have moved her off her oxygen mask and onto a CPAP machine. She's resting and in recovery from the procedure this morning, still not allowed to talk. :)

Monsignor Slepicka called from Iowa, unaware of what's been happening with Mom, just to let the family know that he was planning on offering Mass for her on her birthday (tomorrow).

We are so touched by the notes and wishes coming in for Mom's birthday surprise tomorrow - from our hearts, thank you! If you haven't had a chance to send over a note yet, please feel free to do so. I'll be working late tonight and early tomorrow morning finishing it up. The details are here. If you could get them to me by 9 am tomorrow morning, I'd so appreciate it!!

Robin has been out here this morning, an angel sent from God. Dad and Mike took down all of the Christmas decorations on Friday...and all of the 'normal' decor had to go back up. That project, without Mom knowing where her million knickknacks go, would be impossible without Robin's help. She walked in and immediately started adjusting things to 'how Mom likes them'.

And I really needed to just talk this morning - to get things out - and I am so grateful for her timing today. She's a huge blessing to our family.

Thanks, Robin. ♥ We love you.