DISQUS

Emma Jo · 10 months ago

I too believe that when it is your time, there is nothing we can do to change it. It is extremely sad when death comes too early but also sad when it doesn't come until long after it seems it should. My mom turned 93 on January 22nd and is suffering from Parkinson's. It has progressed to a stage where her muscles and nerves are no longer under her control and she is slowly losing control of all bodily functions. Swallowing is so difficult that she will only eat a couple of bites of food each week and is living on liquids (mostly water) which must be thickened so she won't choke on them. The thickened liquids do not quinch her thirst and she begs for plain water--"real" water she calls it--which we cannot give her. I can only imagine how terrible that must be. Day after day she lays in the bed unable to do anything, stripped of all independence, yet still in possession of a mind that, if she had enough strength to hold a pencil, would allow her to do the crossword puzzles she has always loved. My heart won't stop breaking.

Houstonwino · 10 months ago

It breaks my heart just to read that, Emma Jo. We will keep you and your mom in our thoughts and prayers.

WineWonkette · 10 months ago

Often its hard to understand why people are allowed to suffer like that--makes no sense. We will keep your mom in our prayers, and you as well.

Julie Pippert · 10 months ago

Ah Amy what a thing...really, what a thing. i am glad he is improving. And I'm really glad to read such a thoughtful, caring post about remembering what's important and keeping perspective, and on love. Hang in there and continuing good wishes to your brother.

P.S. Adorable photo!

WineWonkette · 10 months ago

Thanks Julie. Joe laughs at the picture -- calls me a "bow head" and it's funny because I absolutely HATED it when my mother did that to my hair. But I like the picture now that I do my own hair.

WineWonkette · 10 months ago

An update: Scott is back home, doing well. When we got to his house he remarked it was no wonder the bike ride had tripped his heart, because he'd moved furniture, taken a huge television up a steep flight of stairs, and started cleaning out the garage!

The night we got to his house the International Space Station was visible in the night sky. So true to form, Scott decided he needed to photograph it. So we sat on the stairs outside his condo, I held the camera with the 40 lb lens (with help of a monopod) and he snapped the picture.

A trip to the cardiologist last Thursday said he was almost back to normal! I think his quick recovery is due to the fact that he is in pretty good physical shape, he exercises, and there were angels watching over him.

Kiss your loved ones. Tell your siblings you love them. And make sure you're eating healthy, exercising and taking good care of yourself as well! You never know when that extra TLC will be needed!

Leon · 10 months ago

Totally agree with you.

WineWonkette · 10 months ago

Thanks. Sometimes it amazes me that my brother and I actually fought over which cartoons to watch on Saturday when we were little. He's a good kid (which is how I see him still) even though he's a man nearly a foot taller than I.

club penguin · 4 months ago

It has progressed to a stage where her muscles and nerves are no longer under her control and she is slowly losing control of all bodily functions. Swallowing is so difficult that she will only eat a couple of bites of food each week and is living on liquids which must be thickened so she won't choke on them.