I Have No Words...

Poetry Thursday

Friendship 2008

I sat down with my friend, peering over an ink-black coffee
Steaming lightly,
Obscuring, slightly,
The words he left

We talked about
Our kids,
Our jobs,
Our struggles to build meaningful lives
Cycling
Our wives
And the day ahead of us
The things that define the vague edges of friendships, everywhere
Even here

We promised to meet again, tomorrow
Then said goodbye, the way we always do
Logging off and powering down.

Race Ready

Ride Through Harrisburg, PA

This is my local loop through the state capital. Crossing the bridge over the Susquehanna River into Harrisburg.


Once I get over the bridge there is a multi-use trail. It's kind of hit or miss, with some days being very crowded and some days not at all. Today was not at all, which was sweet. Some shots looking up the MUT.



Cow-a-bunga....


Interesting sculpture along the riverfront.


WWI Memorial...


The Pride of the Susquehanna...sorry, no gambling.


This is the ride along the Susquehanna, looking across at the "skyline" of Harrisburg. The Capitol Dome is visible. We're told we have the prettiest state capitol in the country.


Iris....

Mom's Health...

...is deteriorating. Not exactly sure what the reason is, beyond diminished lung capacity. They started her on chemo yesterday and are hoping that will stem the course of what they think is attacking her system.

It's such a rollercoaster for her and Dad, for all of us, really. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, as always...

My Mom...

...got transferred to the University of Pennsylvania for further tests. She is doing REALLY well and continues to improve. She is now moving about with support. Things are progressing MUCH better than the doctors anticipated.

Poetry Thursday

MOVE

Heels hit the floor. Silently I rise and
Streeeeeeeeeeetch, mirroring the fat cats
As we prepare to descend
Me to my run, them to their breakfast

Pushing off the porch to pavement I vault
A slug, sluggishly sliding
A rainbow slime trail marks the promise of his passing
As he runs this morning’s errands

My pace quickens as bunniez hop happily ahead of me
(I’ll never catch them, they’ll never catch me)
And a snowy egret ascends out of the swamp
A post-historic pterodactyl in angel’s white

I cut the corner, heading for home
A robin couple rests in the road
One rises, the other does not, dead
Having forgotten to move in her winking instant of decision

Becoming an Ironman by Kara Douglass Thom

This was a really great read. Thom takes us through the journeys of all types of people as they complete their first Ironman Triathlon. There are professional athletes, everyday people, those who missed the cutoffs for the time and had to stop racing (my heart broke on a couple of those stories, thinking about the preparation and training that goes into a race like this), athletes with disabilities and even those who tried it and found they had an exceptional skill for it.

The book does get a little repetitive at times. That being said, part of the charm of the book is Thom's ability to capture the "voice" of each of the triathletes. She does a very good job of laying out people's motivations, struggles and the incredible feeling of finishing a race of this magnitude. I'd recommend it for anybody thinking about an Ironman, or even trying to go long in an endurance sport.

Mom....

My mom is speaking! I got to talk to her and she is VERY tired. She is not out of the woods yet, with a heart catheter possibly on Monday, but she is feeling better. Her cognitive functions seem to be intact, she is taking some physical therapy, and the doctors seem to be taking good care of her.

Thanks again, all, for your continued thoughtfulness, prayers, calls, e-mails and general support. I'm going down to see her tomorrow.

Talked to Mom on Mother's Day!!!

I talked to my MOM yesterday!!! She is coming out from under the sedatives and while she can't talk, she can kind of whisper incoherently to let you know she hears you. Her mind is, apparently, still remembering how to talk. She is off the ventilator fully and things are looking more promising. Thank you sooooo much for your kind thoughts and prayers....more later.

Update....

My mom has been making baby steps in the right direction. She is still in ICU, but has been taken off the sedatives. She has been moving around a bit and she even opened her eyes a couple of times. She is still receiving oxygen, but it is down to 40% pure, from an original of 100% pure. Once they get below (I think) 25% they can take the tube out and she can breathe on her own. The problem is that they are in a bit of the race because the tube wears down the throat, so they need to get her breathing on her own or they will have to do a tracheotomy. Her heart is still weak from the heart attack, but the main concern is still with her lung function.

I am home, pretty sick, actually, and it's hard to think of Mom on Mother's Day in the hospital. They wouldn't let me see her anyway, not as sick as I am, but it still sucks. Continued prayers for my mom and my dad are, of course, greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you who have offered your prayers, support and kindness throughout this time...

Just a Quick Update

There really isn't much to report. My mom was diagnosed with pneumonia AND a heart attack, then they found Hepatitis A as well. She has made small steps in the right direction with regard to requiring less help with her breathing (I won't bore you with all the medical jargon). They are also going to try to ween her off the sedatives she is on, which she fought last time.

It's tough because she is still heavily sedated and non-responsive. Those of you that know my mom will likely have a tough time picturing her being non-responsive about anything. Little Fish really wants to see her NiNi, but the ICU has prohibitions on kids under fourteen, so that's been tough, too.

Thanks to friends and family that have called, e-mailed, dropped notes here and lifted my mom and our family up in prayer. Your support, kindness and love are very much appreciated.

Mom...

My Mom is in the hospital with pneumonia--we're not sure how serious it is, yet. I would apprciate prayers...