A visit from Amy McDonald, Dec. 26 2010

Amy McDonald came by to visit Gale, her biological mom, and say hello the family.  At 39, Amy is pregnant with a boy, her first child.  She'll be 27 weeks along tomorrow, December 27, and the baby is due March 28.  3 weeks ago the baby started pressing against her lungs, so she's sometimes short of breath.  The little guy also has a strong kick, a trait Amy thinks he might have inherited from his dad Maté pronounced (maTAY), a soccer coach.

Mia, Mickey, Jean, Amy, Gale,  & Esther

Maté is very active, and loves to dance.  They had intended to marry this summer, but put it off because of deaths in Maté's family. Maté was offered a coaching job in Santa Monica, so they might move there after the baby is born.  Other possibilities are LA and Phoenix.  Matè is a Croatian, and speaks Croatian, Russian, and Spanish in addition to English.



Amy and Maté dated briefly when Amy was 19, and they both worked ion a video store in Phoenix, but Amy wasn't ready to settle down.  Last year when she was back in Arizona she looked him up through Facebook, and Maté suggested they got together for beers and Monday night Football.  At the end of that fateful Monday encounter, on October 2009, Maté told her "I lost you once, I don't want that to happen again."  And it hasn't they've been together ever since.

Gale chatting with Amy

She engaged Gale in conversation, talking to her about the medication Gale was taking, and Gale's experience with childbirth.  (Gale strongly recommends an epidural for the pain).  Everyone was touched when Gale pulled the a bundle of letters from her backpack, and read one from Amy.  Amy asked her if Gale carried the letters from her children with her always, and Gale said she did.

Gale showing Amy her meds

Amy had a good time with Eta over the summer, and thinks that Eta really learned sales skills.  At the start of the summer she was talking a lot, but by the end she had learned to listen more.  (Amy thinks being a good listener is the secret of being good at sales).  Amy thinks the most prominent personality trait that she and Eta have in common are their sense of humor, which she describes as a "dry wit."  When Maté saw the two of them together, he remarked "oh, so there's two of you."

Amy wondered how she would have turned out if she had been raised in Israel.  She likes many things about Israelis, and thinks that if she had lived there she would've grown up more quickly.  On the other hand, she thinks Israeli's are very nationalistic and army-oriented, and doesn't like that so much.

Amy last she's job was as a contract sales representative for Johnson and Johnson, selling bone cement.  But Amy didn't renew her contract this year, because she wanted to take some time to enjoy her baby.  She probably won't go back to Johnson & Johnson, because they were unhappy she chose to take time off.

Mother and daughter

Being a sales rep was Amy's 2nd career.  She started out as a dancer, and had several national and international tours.  In 1998 she was touring Japan, doing a routine that called for her to leap and land on one leg.  One night she woke up in terrible pain that turned out to be caused by a staph infection in her landing knee.  Soon after she returned to the U.S. she followed a tip from a friend took and got a job selling telephone service.  This was right after the telephone industry deregulation, and Amy was a roaring success as a salesperson.  Based on that success, and her B.S. in physiology from Arizona State , she moved from telecoms to medical sales.

Amy's future plans, in addition to becoming a mom (she's reading Magical Child, Magical Parent), are to go back to school and get a law degree so she can run a non-profit program with Maté.  What the two parents-to-be have in mind is a program that would providing soccer coaching to children. This idea was inspired by a problem in Scottsdale, where a soccer program was raking in government subsidies while paying coaches poorly and not giving they scholarships to poor kids that they said they were.  It took a lot of research, and a visit from the head of a national soccer association, but Matè and Amy got the problem straightened out.  Now they'd like to create their own program that would do things right from the beginning.

An ambitious plan, but will they do it, and start a family too?  As Amy told the story, she made a step-climbing movements with her hands, saying with a gesture that being a mom and a non-profit entrepreneur would be a continuation of a process of adventure and self-improvement she's engaged in her all her life.  Based on her track record, it's hard to believe she won't ascend the next rungs.

Mother and daughter close-up

October 17, 2010 : Pictures of the week

Esther Reading the Sunday paper, Sunday around 1:30 pm PT.

She was a bit tired and glum, and around an hour later she went

down for a nap.  She also napped in the morning, not her usual 

routine, but Esther didn't seem worried.  The Kaiser doctors told her to 

to give it a few days and see if the blood transfusion (on Saturday) 

helped with the fatigue.  So it doesn't seem like she' s having a bad 

reaction to the transfusion after all.  Instead, she was having health

problems all week, without telling people (or without people listening

carefully enough to what she was saying). 

Esther, minutes later: The Return of the Smile

She can't stay glum for long, even when she's feeling under the
weather.  In fact, before we left she said that she was feeling
better than she had in the morning, and expected tomorrow
morning to be even better...we'll see how that assessment
holds up.

Mia, Gale, and Mickey near Esther on the Couch

It was lucky for Esther that Mickey scheduled his visit for this

week.  And even luckier that her brought Mia with him, and elegant

spirited pooch who immediately won Gale's heart.  The attraction isn't 

mutual yet -- Mia adamantly refused to let Gale take her for a walk. 

But M & M will be down for another week, and Gale isn't easily disuaded

Fast forward

Monday, October 18:
First day of Esther's every 6 weeks chemotherapy.

October 5: Pictures of the week

Esther showing a new dance of her own
invention.  Call it The Racer: The arms swing back
and forth like a runner in full stride.

Gale folding clothes, with her baby blues eyes
looking directly into the camera.  Gale rose to the
challenge after Esther fell sick, and has been a huge
help around Hillview Drive, especially with the laundry.   

June News

Monday, June 14: Eta arrives from Israel, leaving for Los Angeles June 20


Eta's spending a week in Walnut Creek on her way to Los Angeles, where she'll be demonstrating/modeling cosmetics in a shopping mall.  When she returns to Israel in September she'l start college, majoring in film.  Her goal is to make news documentaries.  


Wednesday, June 16: Mickey returns to Alaska; Esther goes all the way to Kaiser in her power chair!


Mickey returned to Alaska today, but before leaving he went on another journey that was in some ways longer and more perilous.  With Mickey strolling beside her, Esther drove her power chair down Hillview Dr., then across the Knolls to San Miguel, and then through town to her appointment at Kaiser!  She hadn't even known Kaiser was in battery range.  And of course if Kaiser is within her compass, so is Safeway, and this gallant senior could conceivably do some of her own shopping again, all by herself.  Needless to say, she had no truck with false modesty when she called around to spread the joyous tidings. 

Volovick and Smith family photos, 2010

New and improved captions to come.

Unity, Hannah, and Tyler at the Walnut Knolls Recreation Center.

Becky and MacKenzie at Hillview Drive, February 2010.

More pictures from Lillian's memorial, and after

New and improved captions to come

Pallbearers 

Esther with one of Joan's balloons

Esther, Jodi, and new baby

Reception on Hillview Drive.

Dennis

Ginny

                                      Gale and Esther, 3 days later

Lillian's Memorial Service

Lillian family gathered today to remember her life, and see her casket lowered into the earth.


Rabbi Gretz conducted the service.  


At Lillian's daughter Joan's request, he paid tribute to Lillian's astrology practice, starting by comparing the dead to stars.  Just as starlight reaches our planet from faraway and long ago, the memories of those who have gone touches the living.  And he pointed out that many of the Jewish sages were interested in astrology, there's actually a whole section of the Talmud devoted to the topic.

Rabbi Gretz recounted some highlights of Lillian's life that have become obscured by the illnesses of old age.  Her relationship with Esther was the epitome of sibling devotion. As for her three children, he quoted from the psalm: "A women of valor who can find, her children will rise up to praise her."


Lillian was also extremely strong willed, which is part of the reason she could overcome childhood polio.  She cared for her husband Martin until his death.  Maybe she didn't set the world on fire, but then few of us do.  We're all mortal.  The great love she shared with each of us was a blessing.



After the casket was lowered, Rabbi Gretz made a final observation: Death is the passing of life; life is the stringing together of many small passages.

Then the service broke up, and we stood around in conversational clusters, talking and thinking about large and small transitions.  Lillian's daughter Joan, a retired postal worker enjoying a 2nd career as a professional clown and "silly person," handed out white helium filled balloons to the children.  When she gave the word, the children released them, and we watched them float up, become specks lost against the brilliant white clouds, and disappear.

Esther would like everybody to know how much she appreciated the Rabbi's
service.

Esther Remembers Lillian

Esther's sister Lillian passed way June 7, 2010, at the age of 91.  These are some memories Esther shared after hearing the news.  If you have your own memories to share, please send them to 1853WoodSt@gmail.com.

    My Arrival, and Lil's First Job 

"I was born at home, we were living over a store at the time.  Lil was just three years older than me, and she was waiting at the bottom of the steps when the doctor came down after the delivery.  He told Lil he'd left her a little doll to play with, and she rushed upstairs for her present.

"Later, when my mother Yetta was too busy, she would give Lil three cents to push me around in the stroller.  In those days that was enough for an ice cream cone."

    My First Haircut

"I didn't go to kindergarten, my first day of school was in the first grade. But I was only 5 years old, Yetta took out an insurance policy on me when I was born, and the policy said I was one year old at that time.  So when she wanted to put me in school she just showed them the policy and they let me in, they didn't ask to see a birth certificate."

"It was a scene, that first day.  Kids were crying, and standing in puddles of water that didn't come first tears.  You know, they just couldn't hold it.  That wasn't my problem, but Lil got in trouble because of my hair."

"It was long and curly, Yetta didn't want me to cut it.  But she had to open her fruit stand early, and it was Lillian's job to get me ready for school, including combing my hear.  And that took too much time, and finally the teacher told Lil if she was late again, she'd need to go to the principle's office.  She didn't know what that meant, 'the principle's office,' but it sounded scary."

"That day when we got home from school, Lil took me across the street to the barber.  It was that kind of mixed neighborhood, homes and shops, and the barber cut men and women's hair, it didn't matter. She told the barber to cut my hair, that my mom would pay latter.  The barber asked for instructions, and Lil said it didn't matter, just cut it."

"When Yetta came home we were doing homework at the kitchen table and she looked around and said "Where's Esther?"  Then when she realized, she wasn't happy, but she didn't say anything to Lil, she just want across the street to talk to the barber.  When she came back she had a shopping bag full of my curls, and she kept that bag with her always, wherever she moved.  When she passed away [over 40 years later] Lil went back to Philadelphia to go through her possessions.  And she still had it."

"For Lil, that event marked a beginning.  After that, she felt more able to make her own decisions.  In fact, all through her childhood, and after, she was known as a force to be reckoned with.  She had her own ideas about how things should be, and she would tell you about them, and most of the time she got her way."

    Marty

"At that time in Philadelphia, girls of the same age would give parties.  Girls would bring their boy friends, there's be other boys there too, and everyone would dance to phonograph records.  One night Lil went across town to go to a party, further for a party than she usually went.  Marty had come with another girl, but when he saw Lil he forgot about his date, and asked Lil if he could escort her home.  Lil said no, you came with another date, take her home first.  And so he did, then came back for Lil, and escorted her home too"

"After that first meeting, they started to go steady.  But Yetta never asked to be introduced, probably because she assumed he was a gentile based on his appearance."

"One of Lil's jobs when she was a teenager was to bring Yetta supper at her push-cart, or shop, or whatever, when she was working late. One night Marty took her to drop off the food, and the Pickle Man, who worked next to Yetta, said 'You didn't tell me your daughter was going our with the Cantor's son.'  So he was Jewish after all!  Yetta asked Lil to bring him over that next Sunday for dinner."

"As a special meal, Yetta prepared tuna.  The fact that he ate it proves how much he loved her, because she found out after they got married that he really hated fish.  I think it had something to do with some experience he had in the Gerard's Boy's Home -- his mother had died, and his father [Yessel] was known as the blind cantor, so he grew up in a Home."

"They got married at the local synagogue.  I remember making sandwiches and lemonade.  It wasn't like now, where you'd just buy a case of soft drinks.  To tell you the truth, I don't remember the wedding cake, although I'm sure there must have been one."

    California

"Marty was stationed in California during WWII, and liked the climate.  He couldn't find work back east after the war -- that's surprising, thinking back on what was happening then, so many people starting families and building houses -- so he decided to try his luck out west. He convinced my brother Elmer to go with him, but Elmer didn't like it and came back.  Marty got at job making cars [as a machinist], and stayed."

"From what Marty told her when he sent for her, Lil thought Marty had an apartment for them to live in.  But it turned out to be more like a motel room.  And that got her angry, which meant things had to change.  One day when Lil was in line at the grocery store, the woman in front of her said to the checker 'This is the last time I'm coming in here, we're moving tomorrow.'  So she went with the woman back to her apartment, so she could get rent it before it was advertised.  And that's how they got out of the motel, when and where was entirely Lil's decision.  That's how things were done in her family."

"It was only after Charlie and I moved to California that Lil and I become close. That is, in high school we had different interests, I went to Girl's High, the academic school.  And really we had different temperaments.

[As opposed to being a 'force to be reckoned with,' Esther was often a force that finds its quiet way around obstacles.  She says as a girl her guiding precept was 'The world is round,' meaning there's more than one way to reach your goal, there's more than one way to skin a cat.  She sometimes tells this story to illustrate part of their differences.

One day in Whittier, after Lil had hung up all the clothes on the line, the weather got windy and the clothes line blew over. Lil didn't feel like getting involved in a laundry mess, so she left the house, knowing then when Marty got home he would redo the laundry, thinking that he was responsible, and that Lil wouldn't blame it him when she got back if the clothes weren't clean and dry.  In the same situation, Esther would redo the laundry herself.  Charlie was often away travelling, and even when he was home, the laundry was her job.]

    Joan

"Barry was born first, then Dennis, then Joan, the girl the whole family was hoping for.  When Lil was pregnant that third time, the boys both said they wanted a sister, they already had a brother. Then when Joan was born, they knocked on their neighbors doors saying 'We have a sister, we have a sister!'  Maybe neighbors were closer back then."

"Lil wanted a little girl in frilly dresses, someone she could make all the decisions for.  But she got somebody like herself, someone who wanted to make her own decisions, also a force to be reckoned with.  Joan rebelled in high school, when to 3 different schools in one year.  But in some ways she always remained the girl Lil was hoping for.  In those last years at Lafayette Convalescent Hospital, when Joan and I visited, even when Lil was too sick to talk, and she was used to seeing me, her eyes would follow Joan around the room."

Window on the World -- June 2010 at the JCC Current Events Group

Friday, June 4
Attack on the Flotilla


"It was a small group this time, and they seemed very disturbed about the news.  But of course we talked about it.   The group said it had to be looked into.  Israel may have reacted as expected, not knowing what was on the boat.  It may have been right, but not smart.  Just not smart.  But when they look into it more, maybe something will show up that's not there now."


"I don't know what you would call it.  They sided with Israel, but they were sad.  One loud mouth in the group said Israel should have consulted with America before doing anything.  That annoyed everybody.  And how did he know Israel didn't consult? Maybe it was acting as our cat's paw.  But there were some U.S. citizens on the flotilla.  It's difficult to come to grips with.  I heard there were suicide bombers on the boat too. [Going to Gaza?] I guess it's possible."


"I talked to the moderator Richard during intermission.  He said a few years ago, the list of Israel's three strongest allies, would have been America, Turkey, and Germany.  And now Turkey's off the list.  Not really because of the attack, they became unfriendly after they elected an Islamic government."


"J magazine came in the mail, the magazine for the Jewish community published in San Francisco.  They always have a pro and con page in every issue, and this time it was about the flotilla.  It seemed to say the same things as the current events group, I'd better read it carefully so I'll be prepared for next time.   [Want more links to news articles?] If they shed new light on things."


"When I got back Gale asked me when we'd talked about, and I told her, she hadn't heard about the attack.  It's the first I remember her taking an interest in what I'm doing.  She did a beautiful job cleaning up my desk, she couldn't have done it with her eyes closed. She's getting something from working for me too."


"There is one things that concerns me about her though, it's that she's always so thirsty.  That could be a sign of diabetes.  Gale didn't want me to mention it her psychiatrist, Dr. Bernstein, but I think I'm going to anyway."





   

Fast forward June 2010

June

The center Gale is closed Mondays and Fridays for remodeling, and Gale will be coming to help Esther on at least one of those days, in addition to her usual Sundays.  And Esther really appreciates the help, and has remarked on more than one occasion on what a good job Gale is doing.

June 21: First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

August

August 2:  First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

September

September 13:  First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

October 

October 25:  First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

December 

October 25:  First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

From Alaska with love, then back again with same

Mickey and Esther at the new Berkeley Bowl, May 2010.


Do not be misled by the brooding expression on Mickey's
face.  He was contemplating a serious technical issue, whether Esther should get a new iPod nano, or a new cell phone with digital camera included.  Esther does have an image to maintain, she's considered in some circles to be one of the tech savviest bubbies in Walnut Creek (she Googles, Facebooks, Skypes, the works).  On the other hand, Mickey's worried that one of the new smart phones might so overloaded with featues she'll never use that she'll get discouraged (e.g., a keyboard too small for fingers still on the path to recovery from amyloidosis). So he's inclined towards the Nano.


If you have a different opinion, tell her soon, because the Nano order is slated to be placed next week.


Mickey's back in Alaska, where he's engrossed in the joys of co-parenting his daughter Sasha, a delightful young lady who was fitted with braces soon after his return.  But he'll be down for another short visit next September, and we're all looking forward to that.


And in case you missed this classic photo from Mickey's Fall '09 visit, see below for Mickey and Esther taking a stroll down Hillview Dr.  It's classic not because that particular walk was earth shaking, but because it was typical of the many things he did to help Esther on her path to recovery.

Portrait of the gardener in a gentle hurry

 
Here's a characteristic photo of Jean, walking down from the front door on her way to Old Rose event (if you're a Rosarian you know what those are).  


In her hand, a cup of coffee.  


In her backpack, a bouquet to share with the other rose fanciers.  


On her mind (not visible from the photo, but we'll infer): worries about her mom; creative gardening ideas for the front yard, a little oasis that is already a work of art (partially visible from the photo); plans to save an obdurate world by cultivating California natives, and by other green schemes; cats; hubby; books.  Not necessarily in that order, or any order.


Good luck to you, gallant gardener!

Decisions

Saturday, May 15: Not going to Juneau Now
Mom has decided not to visit Mickey in Juneau now, although she promises she'll go soon.  The big reason for staying home now is that Gale will need her when she won't be able to go to Sunset Center 5 days per week.  Another reason is that she doesn't want to do anything that would disrupt the progress she's been making with her amyloidosis and other medical conditions.  In particular, she wants to keep getting her shots as she's getting them now.


Sunday, May 9: High Tech options
For Skype, Esther went with the option of getting the microphone and camera for her HP.  Works great, and she has a really cute photo ID.    She's already talked to Terrye in Israel, and when Terrye gets her camera working they'll share video in both directions. 


She hasn't decided what do do about the phone, but it's possible Mickey may be able to get her a Moment at a discount.


Monday, April 26: High Tech options
Esther is deciding how to access Skype, so she can have free video phone calls, and when to upgrade her cell phone to a smart phone. 


For Skype, she's inclined just to use her HP laptop, purchasing the required microphone and camera accessories.  This is definitely the cheapest way, and suits her tastes better than the alternatives she's considered:  getting an iPad (which has no camera anyway), or getting a modern laptop with camera and microphone built-in.  Unless persuaded otherwise, she plans to go shopping for the aforemntioned accessories next Sunday, April 2nd.


As for the phone, the issue is saving money vs. living fully now.  The model she wants is a Sprint Moment, a smart phone a with slide-out key board (she tried it), video camera and Web access.  This would make it very convenient for her to email pictures and movies, and Google stuff for her current events group.  If she waits until December, her contract stipulates that she can get it for $100. If she gets it now, it will cost $425.  What would you advise?

News

Saturday, May 15: Miscellany; Pearlita's Working Out Well
Esther's checkup with Dr. Johnson showed continued improvement (see the Health Issues posting). And she's not going to Juneau right now (see the Decisions postings).

Esther's new companion Pearlita seems like a huge improvement,  even without considering the previous companion's ethical problems.  Pearlita gives great showers, and is an amazing housekeeper.  And she seems to really like Esther.  She's in litigation for back wages from Kaiser (she was laid off from her job as an LVN when Kaiser downsized as a cost-saving measure), but she says she wouldn't return to that job: she likes working for Esther more.

She certainly seems to hold Esther in high regard. Recently, Pearlita said "Can I ask you a personal question?"  Esther said yes, and Pearlita asked "Were you a doctor?"  Esther told her no, and asked why she thought that.  Pearlita said it was something about her demeanor.



Saturday, May 8:  Esther Gets her Power Chair!
Esther says it's very comfortable, and convenient for the computer: she doesn't have to push back against the couch to standup, and the camera gets a better view of her when she talks on Skype.


Monday, April 26:  Lillian's Health is not Good
Over the weekend Esther's sister Lillian condition took a turn for the worse, and they called Esther from the convalescent hospital to ask if they should take Lillian to the hospital.  They seemed to be actually asking something else, something only Esther could say because she is listed as the closest family member.  Esther wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, but she said to take her sister to the hospital, to try to help her get better.  And she's going to to try to change the records so that one of Lillian's children can make the decision next time -- which probably won't be that far off in the future.


Sunday, April 25:  Esther Puts her Hearing Aids in Herself!
It took a while, and afterwards her hands were tired.  And she wasn't quite sure how she did it, and struggled and failed to repeat the feat Monday.  Nevertheless, Sunday was a landmark on her path to regaining her health.


Saturday, April 17: Esther Completes Driver's Ed
Esther completed a day log driver's education class for seniors, with just a half-hour break for lunch.  It's especially impressive when you realize that not log ago she would have been up to the physical challenge of sitting up for that long. However this doesn't mean that she'll necessarily start driving again, just that she wants to keep her options open.


Wednesday, April 14: Gale's Schedule Unchanged for Now

Gale's Mental Health Center hasn't closed for remodeling yet, and may not do so until June. Until that happens, Gale will continue to go to the center as long as they still serve lunch. If they do stop serving lunch, or when the center closes for remodeling, Gale plans to work for mom on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings, instead of just Sunday afternoons.

Monday, April 12: Esther Approved for Motorized Wheelchair

There were no problems with the visit form Kaiser's Durable Medical Equipment group. All they really wanted to do is take measurements so they could get the right chair, and have Esther pick out the color.

Window on the World

The Walnut Creek JCC Current Affairs Discussion Group

Friday, May 8: The post office; Greece; porno at the SEC.
"The first thing we talked about was the post office.  I didn't think that was a Jewish concern in particular, but there was a lot of interest.  The moderator said the post office had to go to Congress every time they wanted to raise rates, and he thought it should be privatized.  But most people disagreed.  I was surprised at how much affection people had for the post office, I didn't think they would care, one way or the other.  Some people said that their first job was at the post office, handling mail at Christmas time. Others said the post office was more than a business, it was a service, and it was having a post office that put small towns on the map.  Some of those post office would close if they needed to show a profit."


"The 2nd topic was Greece, and the problems with the euro.  People thought that Greece wasn't an honorable country, that they falsified records to get into the euro club.  Now they need help, but Germany doesn't want to do it.  And there are some Eastern European countries that are in trouble too, it could be a dangerous precedent.   There's one possible bright spot though -- the exchange rate will be better for the dollar."


"The last topic was that scandal at the Securities and Exchange commission.  Did you hear about it?  They were watching porno on their laptops instead of paying attention to the hearing. Some people thought it was serious, others treated it as a big joke. No, they can't just be fired, these are the top people. I don't know if they'll be impeached. 


Friday, April 16
Topic A this week was the divestment controversy swirling around CalPERS, the California Public Employee fund that provides Esther and millions of others with retirement income.  For an overview of the issue, see this link:


   http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/25/business/la-fi-iran-divest25-2010feb25


A capsule description is that the legislature mandated divestment in companies doing business in Iran, but CalPers is resisting, saying that to do so now would force them to incur heavy losses.

Friday, April 9

The discussion in the JCC's current affairs group was about the danger of war between Israel and Iran. Most thought Israel would attack before November. Should that happen, the group felt that Congress would insist on U.S. backing for Israel, possibly even by declaring war on Iran.

Birthday party for Jean and Esther

It was a frozen yogurt cake of course, from Tucker's in Alameda, Gale's favorite. We asked them to come up with something with a 'gardening motif.' The potting soil was their idea.

Getting ready to eat the cake. Jean picked the bouquet from her rose garden that morning.

Fast forward

May

May 16: Mickey visiting from Alaska.

Esther up to Juneau for a visit? For how long, and how to ensure continuity of medical care and keeping good helpers? Possibly schedule the visit for the 5 weeks in between chemotherapy rounds?

Matt 3/9/10: Kaiser reimbursed for medical treatment when I visited Juneau, just needed to fill out paperwork and attach receipts.

Terrye 3/9/10: Is there Kaiser in Alaska? How much would it take to have blood tested out of network? How long is the flight from Alaska? Can she sit up for that long?

Mickey 3/9/10: Have tickets for two to Juneau in May, return in June. But mom worried about Kaiser covering blood tests, having to get them out of network.

June

The center Gale goes to in San Francisco will be closed for remodeling. Currently, the plan is for Gale to come over to help on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings, taking the bus from the BART station to the Walnut Knolls sign on San Miguel. But if that's too much for Gale they'll cut back to fewer days, and Gale can always lie down and rest any time she feels tired.

June 21: First day of Esther's every-6-weeks chemotherapy cycle.

Esther's wish list

Tuesday, April 6

1) If you have a considered opinion on the new health care legislation, or a link to an interesting article, please let Esther know. The topic will doubtless come up again soon in her current affairs group at the JCC, and she's eager to join the discussion. Right now, she gets most her news online, either from AOL, news.google.com, or www.nytimes.com.

Can you help broaden her horizons?

2) Any suggestions for online writer's groups? Esther enjoyed

the class she took a few years ago, and wrote a powerful, literally unforgettable piece about her sister calling out for her. Now that she's feeling a little better she's ready to try again.

Birthday party for Esther

This is the first real post, kind of like a test drive, so we'll keep it short.

Esther's birthday was Monday, April 5, but we celebrated the day before in Walnut Creek with a frozen yogurt cake. Gale was there too, and greatly appreciated the dessert. The rest of the cuisine was Esther's traditional lunch spread, modified for Passover to substitute matzoh for bagels: smoked fish, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. (We'll post pix of the celebration soon).

In other food-related news, Esther was very proud of herself Saturday after dining on a savory meal of fried matzoh. What made it particularly satisfying was that she made it herself, her most ambitious cooking project since she got sick last year. As she puts it, there was no choice if she didn't want to do without -- fried matzoh just isn't in Lianna's culture. She she got out the pan, diced the onions, and cut up the tomatoes -- the works. The only downside was hand pain, she had to wake up in the middle of the night and take a powerful prescription pain killer she's reluctant to use, not wanting anyone to possibly confuse her with that widely syndicated right-wing talk show host.

Health issues

Saturday, May 15, 2010: Post-chemo meeting with Dr. Johnson
Esther just finished her every-six-weeks chemotherapy week for amyloidosis.  Here are Mickey's notes on the meeting with Dr. Johnson, her amyloidosis physician, on Friday, May 14:
Mom says only pains are in hands, and rates the pain at a 6.  They look deformed to me.

Things are up and down on the Kappa LC Fr, but are trending down.  1/8th of first reading.

Elbow bumps (which I see for the 1st time) have been there forever.

Continue chemo therapy and shots for anemia.

Some swelling in legs, which is painful when touched.

In his opinion it would be OK for mom to visit Juneau between chemo cycles.  Mom is very reluctant to go at this time and the trip is put off for now.


Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Hands

Esther's biggest health concern continues to be her hands. Even when they don't hurt they just don't feel quite right, although they're better than before. She's taking Neurontin© daily, but sometimes the pain will cut through that and wake her up in the middle of the night. She has two things she tries when that happens. One is an alternative medicine technique she learned at Tiffy, gliding one hand over the other, "not touch, not rub, glide." The other is a more heavlily controlled drug that she tries to avoid.