Thursday, January 10, 2008

Bye-bye to Oklahoma City and back in a few days

This is the view from my mother's hospital window, here in Oklahoma City:

It's been a long, often heartbreaking three weeks, but I will miss this city. The nurses have been absolutely amazing, my mother's care stellar, the shopping loads of fun. Unfortunately, my mother was unable to get a slot at the rehab facility in Oklahoma City because she doesn't have enough strength to qualify for their rehabilitation program, so she'll be moving to a 24-hour care facility near my sister, tomorrow, and then hopefully into hospice care when she's stronger.

I've finished reading two books, but will have to wait to review them because I have to pack and then I'll be on the road for several days. After that, hopefully I'll get back to a little normality for a while - meaning blog-hopping, reviewing and life in general.

The books I've finished:
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair by Laurie Perry

Currently reading:
The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason

My apologies to Colleen. I've had an ARC of The Bleeding Dusk for a couple of months and planned to have it read in time for the release, but with my life going entirely wacko, that did not occur. However, I will dedicate myself to finishing the book as soon as humanly possible, when I arrive home. I'll be giving away an autographed copy of The Bleeding Dusk, so please come back in a few days to sign up when I get a sticky post . . . ummm, stuck. To the top of this blog.

See you soon!

Bookfool

22 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:29 PM

    Oh, too bad your mother couldn't get into that hospice! But being closer to your sister means that she'll be caring more for her, right?

    And you're on your way home? Awesome!

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  2. Much love and prayers for you and your mom, Nancy. Be careful in your travels.

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  3. I'm sure all of this coming and going takes a toll on both you and your mom, Nancy. Like Andi said, Much love! I really hope things work out for the best for your mom.

    I've read my ARC of The Bleeding Dusk and enjoyed it as I have her other books :) I still haven't posted the review which I guess I should do soon since the book is coming out soon! What made me more thrilled than anything was to see that I had a mention in the acknowledgments :) (you do too!) It's another thriller though, particularly the second half.

    And I got my card from you and I absolutely love it and it's contents! You're so sweet Nancy :) Thanks a million! Take care.

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  4. Nancy -

    As always, you're in my thoughts and my prayers. Trust in what you're doing - it may be the best thing for you all. Hard as it may be to do.

    You'd better believe I want in on that give away! See you when you get back.

    cjh

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  5. Carrie,

    Close - it was the rehab center she didn't get into; she still may get into hospice care, so that's good. Yes, my sister will be nearby and may end up with Mom in her house, at some point. I'll be back in Vicksburg in a few days - leaving for my sister's house as soon as they release Mom. It'll be good to get home. I'll miss chatting with you while I'm en route, Carrie. You've been my rock. :)

    Andi,

    Thanks, darlin', I appreciate the prayers and I'll drive carefully - that speeding ticket is still fresh on my mind, ya know! :)

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  6. Chris,

    I could use another trip to Hawaii, but someone would have to poof me there. Yeah, the back-and-forth business is pretty exhausting. Thanks. I'm feeling the love, here. :)

    It will be so great to get home and back to the normal reading routine. Do you know the release date of The Bleeding Dusk? I know it's soon, but I haven't jogged over to Colleen's blog, lately. I thought you were the Chris in the acknowledgments, but I wasn't certain. Cool, isn't it? Colleen told me to look, so I knew I was in there. That was one of the first things I showed my mother, when she started to improve.

    Glad you liked the card (and what was inside). It floated around in hotel drawers for *weeks* and then I finally decided I really ought to just send that thing! LOL

    CJ,

    Thanks, babe. I know it's all for the best, but it does kind of totally suck. We're doing okay, though. Thanks so much for the continued prayers!! We still need them, although I think we should be doing a happy dance that she survived the last few weeks, so I'm trying to focus on that.

    I'll try to get that sticky post up as soon as I recover from all the driving I'm about to do. Ugh, not looking forward to the 9-hour drive home, but I'll be glad to get there! :)

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  7. Sending you some virtual hugs (((Bookfool)))

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  8. I'm 95% positive that the release date is February 8th ;) I'm too lazy to just jump over there and check, but I was there earlier today and I think that's what it said!

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  9. Anonymous2:04 AM

    Safe trip back, Nancy, and hugs for you and your mom. Take care.

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  10. I'm sorry your mom isn't able to get into that rehab facility, but thank goodness your sister will be close. Drive safe! Glad you get to go home!

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  11. Your mom will be in my prayers. I know this stuff isn't easy.

    That's probably the best view from a hospital window I've ever seen. Usually it's just a view of a brick wall. And nothing says "get well" like a brick wall :P

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  12. Sorry about your mom doing so poorly, but I am glad that you get to go home. Hopefully you'll get back into your regular routine in no time. :)

    I haven't read any of Colleen Gleason, so I'll be signing up for your drawing *fingers crossed*

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  13. Wishing the best for your mom!

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  14. I know you are exhausted. Having a loved one in the hospital at home is hard enough, but add the travel and the stress mounts exponentially.

    Good thoughts and prayers to your mother and to her daughters.

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  15. Best wishes for your whole family.

    I really need to read Gleason. I've heard so much about her. Aaaaugh! I've already added four books from your year-end review.

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  16. I'm sorry to hear about your mom. But hopefully, she will get much stronger with 24-hour care.

    Glad to hear you are on your way home!! I can't wait to hear what you have to say about "Crazy Aunt Purl" - this is the first book I'm reading for the f2f group I just joined. I LOVE the title!!

    And I'm DYING for the Bleeding Dusk to come out!!

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  17. Suzi,

    Thanks! I can use all the hugs I can get. :)

    Chris,

    I just looked and it's February 5! Wahoo! I have plenty of time. Thanks for letting me know. :)

    Donna,

    Thanks. I had a mostly-uneventful trip and I'm so glad to be home. Thanks for the hugs. :)

    Les,

    I think things are going to work out okay. I'm lucky to have a sister who is so responsible and organized. Thanks! It was a pretty decent drive (till the end, but we won't go there). It's so nice to be home!!!! :)

    Nikki,

    Thanks - prayer is what she wants most (and I appreciate the prayers, too). :)

    LOL!!! I love that: "Nothing says 'get well' like a brick wall." Thanks for the laugh. Yeah, that was a pretty spectacular view - not the best time of day, but I didn't keep my camera with me; I just had it briefly. The view at night was incredible - all those sparkling lights. Unfortunately, my mother couldn't see it at all! The window was beside the foot of her bed and all she could see was the light slanting in. I enjoyed it, myself, though.

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  18. Kookie,

    It's good to be home. I think things will work out, in the long run. I had to come on home (not complaining - I've missed my house: bills, mess and all) although Mom was kept in the hospital for the weekend and we think that was better than having her shoved out the door quickly.

    Oh, yes, do sign up! I'll try to get that sticky post written up by tonight. :)

    Iliana,

    Many thanks! We appreciate the good wishes! :)

    Jenclair,

    So true; it's not a fun drive during the best of times and I seem to have a little black cloud following me. That certainly doesn't help matters. But, anyway, I made it home and had such a nice night's sleep.

    Thanks for the thoughts and prayers! We appreciate them. :)

    Framed,

    Thank you! We appreciate every little positive thought, believe me. :)

    Each of Colleen's books seems to get a little bit darker, so I'd start at the beginning and see if her books are your "thing". Oh, how cool that you added some books to your wish list based on my summary! I hope you love them all!

    Stephanie,

    Thank you! She's definitely improving. I loved it when the occupational and physical therapist came at the same time and badgered her into walking all the way out into the hall. She needs to have people push her to go a little farther.

    Crazy Aunt Purl wasn't as funny as I expected, but I enjoyed it and it was the right book for the moment - light reads have been pretty much all I could handle because I had so little time to read and was so tired. I hope to get caught up on reviews, this week. There aren't many; I guess that's sort of a good thing! :)

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  19. Much love and prayers for you, your mom and your family. I know a little of what you are going through, having done it with my own mom a couple years ago.

    I have missed you though and am so glad to have you home for awhile.

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  20. Heather,

    Thank you. I'm sorry you had to go through this with your own mother. It's one of the hardest things I've ever been through, although at least with a slow death you have time to prepare a bit. My father's death was sudden and such a shock.

    Aww, I missed you guys, too. I'm so glad to be home, even if I am sneezing my head off! LOL Thanks for the welcome back! :)

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  21. I read backwards in your blog and now I know what the challenges are you were referring to. I can't even imagine what a difficult time you've been having. Hope your mom is doing better and gaining in strength every day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  22. Cheya,

    Thank you. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers (so does my mother). We still have some rough months ahead of us, but we're doing okay. :)

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