Another Update -- News and Musings

Summer is my favorite time, and I have much warmth to celebrate. My heart is full of gratefulness that Nadine has perked up, and it was a thoroughly wonderful week-end-to-Monday.

On Saturday Nadine shed her hospital gown and got into "real" clothing -- a black tank and pineapple pants. She sits up straight and proud looking. Lauren Sample came by with some beautiful sample (oops, another unintended pun) silk scarves, and Nadine looked ravishing in a blue marbled silk scarf. There will be a silk-dye session later on for her.

Erek continues to wear his "Mohawk" hairdo. He looks incredibly handsome in it -- I admit this surprised me.. On Saturday Nadine took a walk with Barry, and later on she trounced him at foosball. That night Nadine and Erek stayed up laughing and watching hilarious YouTube videos.

That same day, I took a long, long walk in the rain with Erek almost to Twelve Corners. Frequent long walks have been a mainstay for me -- accessing the beauty of the outdoors and the world around us, visiting with whoever I'm walking with, and getting needed exercise, all rolled into one.

GREEN BEANS, COOKIES and UNDERWEAR

Nadine's cravings have been amazing -- green beans, vegetable stews, noodle soup, yogurt. On Sunday morning she was prowling the hospital floor looking for veggies from the fridge.

As for me, I'm eating fine, but I've taken to a cookie in the morning, and a cookie before I go to bed. It feels good. Speaking of feeling good, I often pat the hand or arm of the lifesized Ronald MacDonald figure that lounges on the bench right outside the front door of Ronald MacDonald House. That's where I get my cookies -- there's a cookie jar right at the entrance to the kitchen. And I get a lot else too.

It seems the top non-food requests from Nadine (and me) from helpers has been -- Underwear and Real Toilet Paper! Oh the things people miss. I heard this isn't uncommon. I was SO happy the morning after Lauren brought me two whole packages of underpants -- 14 pairs! And Nadine has had a fine time with hers too.
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"I HAVEN'T SEEN A HOUSE IN A LONG TIME" (Nadine)

Sunday was another glorious day. I got some time alone with Barry while Nadine slept. Then we walked in and she was awake and perky. This time, unlike on Friday, she wasn't a bit tired after her shower.

Nadine, Barry, Erek and I took a long walk. Her gait was steady and confident, her head was unbowed. She walked briskly with confidence, and I could see the girl who glides gracefully through the contra dance lines, striding down the hallway.

"I haven't seen a house in a long time", exclaimed Nadine. We'd reached a window; she gazed out at trees and, yes, a real house. Then we walked back around the corridor and found some exercise stairs, low enough so she could climb up and down even with Winnifred attached (Winnifred is her IV pole, on which Gladys (a pink flamingo is perched along with whatever medicine she's getting at the time). We returned to her room in triumph.

Dr. Bruckner visited, and the mood was jovial. I asked about the summer, and found out she had options! If blood counts were okay, she might get to the National Flute Association flute choir in August, maybe a few days at Ashokan Northern Week Camp -- even some contra dances! No swimming, no camping, no "active" farms or zoos.

I'm nervous about caring for her after she gets out, even though I've been assured I'd get the "hang" of it and that there were cycles of blood counts.

IT'S JUST US GIRLS NOW.

Sunday night Erek left for two days in DC with work and girlfriend, and Barry left for work. Nadine and I were alone together, the first time we'd have an evening like this since she was admitted to the hospital. We had a sweet, mellow, special evening. We took a walk together, out of the hospital into a beautiful day. Nadine marveled at the feel of the wind on her fuzzy bald head -- a totally new sensation for her, and she loved it. We went all the way to the entrance to the parking garage, then inside, past the lobby and up to her room.

She took out her flute and played it for the first time in weeks. At first there was a quaver in the tone, which alarmed her, but as she kept at it the quaver evened out into her characteristically gorgeous tone. She burst into Mozart's Concerto in G, and it was glorious. I noticed a slight difference in her style, a new smoothness and even a new assuredness, the notes flowing fluidly and expressively together in an enhancement to her already beautiful flutework. I beam at the thought of it.

Right before bedtime, she asked for some more minestrone soup. Soup and love, it couldn't have been better.

MONDAY

Monday, Nadine asked for her chain maille supplies and selected dangly earrings to enhance hwer already lovely silhouette. Sylvia arrived with my friend Sue -- she and I took a brief walk together, arm in arm.

FRIENDS FOR ME TOO

About a week earlier, my wonderful friends Sue and Betty had dragged me out for a long walk in the sun, arm in arm and hand in hand. We went all the way to Ronald MacDonald House, where we had lunch on the sunny deck, exchanging stories and, even more important, each other's company. Diana and I have also walked together.

Other wonderful friends have come, not only talking about Nadine but also reminding me that there is a "me" too.

REST OF THE DAY

Sylvia, Nadine, and I visited the wig store downstairs. The wig lady was large with close-cropped hair and an outrageous sense of humor. Nadine chose wigs that looked outrageous on her, selecting about 5 from the "free" box (including some with gray curls, and some with reddish ones).

An exuberant squad of 6 young,fiddlers mostly from the Roch Phil Youth Orchestra plus Alice Kanack poured in about 6:30, piled into Nadine's room and played some lively, wonderful traditional music. Nadine, still in bed, joined them on flute. The sounds were amazing, with driving tunes like Tamlin, jigs, and two beautiful waltzes, South Wind and Margaret's Waltz. I ahappily sat on the windowsill with camera and video, taking in the sounds and happy faces. Another friend appeared with a homemade pie. It was merriment all night.

I went back to the house, with its cookies, and went to bed.