Last night G-Pa, Zach, and I went to visit Katie. Ian described perfectly how to navigate the hallways of the two hospitals to find Katie's room. One part of his description--the butterfly picture and the very scary portrait--was odd, but I knew we were going the right way when we arrived at that point. Zach led the way, wearing his fireman's hat (backwards is the preference of style). When we got off the elevator, Katie was at the far end of the hall, walking toward us with her medicine tower in tow. Zach ran right to her which is precisely what we expect of our firemen. There was no delay in Zach's ascent to the bed where Katie and Zach played trains....I think Katie was Diesel 10 and Zach was....Yikes, I can't remember...it was female, but it wasn't Emily. Anyway, there were lots of derailments, but then the other train weaseled an invitation for a date out of Diesel 10. Diesel 10 said he had never been to a restaurant before, but he was willing to give it a try. That brought up the idea of dinner, so I went out to pick up some food. When I returned, Zach had found the control panel for the bed. Naturally, Katie's first reaction was that Zach was going to be an engineer. I have no clue what he's going to be, but I am sure that he will score well on any literary allusion exams he might have to take as he already knows what an Oscar scream is....you know, that boy in Gunther Grass's Tin Drum who can break glass with his voice. Okay, so Katie had spaghetti and meatballs, which she didn't enjoy all that much, but Zach was willing to share his french fries. We had to leave before Zach could introduce me to the robot he keeps talking about. When we got home and after Zach put on his tractor pajamas, we went out into the blustery (Zach's word) outside to catch Mommy's kiss and to blow her one too.
--Marlene (Grandmamma)
Comments (14)
Dear Katie,
Good Morning!!! Glad that you are feeling better-how is your temperature? Hope the antibiotics put everything in check!!!
The Hibiscus plant that you sent me in 2007 for Mom's Day is almost a tree at this point. Don kept it in the train room sll winter and faithfully watered it and made sure it had as much sun as we got here last winter. It is outside in the pot just a blowing and a going. but it really needs a bigger pot. It should be blooming soon-I'll take pictures of it when it does. We have to keep it in a pot because it would not survivie the winter out here otherwise.
I already took the dogs for a walk and it is 90 out already. so it sounds like a AC day for sure.
Happy Father's day to Ian, hope that he has a good day.
Talk with you soon.
hugs and love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 15, 2008 8:31 AM
Posted on June 15, 2008 08:31
Dear Katie,
I just thought of something kind of funny. Remember when we moved to CA in 1983? Well, we had arrived the day or so before Father's Day-it was the 18th that year. I was unpacking the car our red Ford Grananda and found a gift all packed up in the trunk for your dad. I had bought his giift before we moved and with all the moving excitement I forgot all about it and that it was Father's Day. So I whipped it out and pretented I remembered all the time and I hope your dad never knew that I had forgtotten. Yikes!!! That was a long time ago.
Thought you might enjoy that story.
Talk with you soon, love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 15, 2008 8:41 AM
Posted on June 15, 2008 08:41
A big hello from the Youngstroms, descendants of Sylvia Zarling's sister. Yesterday found me making the phone rounds of the Youngstroms. All want you to know we are pulling for Katie. Carl and Paul spent time together last weekend in Michigan at their high school reunion. Because they are five years apart, they both reune in the same year. Carl drove by our old house and reported that it looks about the same. The trees are mature, of course. Carl also went to Greenfield Village, still very much worth a visit should any of you get to Dearborn, Michigan. Carl and I have memories of going there with Ray when we were kids. Love to all! Eva
Posted by Eva Knight | June 15, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on June 15, 2008 10:47
Greetings from Reno. It is wonderful to see you. I'm requesting some special angels to join the host that are surrounding you. Remember "Prayers go up and blessings come down". You are surrounded by love and healing every second of every day. Love, Cousin Barb
Posted by Cousin Barb | June 15, 2008 11:56 AM
Posted on June 15, 2008 11:56
Hey Katie!
Sounds like some SERIOUS train action you're getting with Z! Glad you got a pimped out room- there is no better hospital for the views! Thinking of you and sending exceptional karma your way. Big hugs from Kate, Adam and Thatcher. . .
Posted by Kate J. | June 15, 2008 8:08 PM
Posted on June 15, 2008 20:08
Dear Katie,
Good Morning, Sunshine!!! Today is the start of the bone marrow transplant-right??? I will be thinking only good, positive, wonderful, awesome, fabulous, and bestest thoughts today going to you, SUPERCALIFAGILISTICEXPEALIDOCIOUS!!! I think that is how it is spelled from Mary Poppins.
One thing about your BMT is that is is keeping me busy-today I am going to shampoo carpets-YES!!! I have all kinds of nervous energy going on here. It cooled off last night and I plan to get walk in before I start the carpets-the dogs expect it.
Hope you ahd a good sleep last night and are ready for today.
Talk with you soon.
Hugs and Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 5:50 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 05:50
Dear Katie,
I just noticed that this blog is on your time. So it looks like I am an exceptionally early riser.
Good luck for me-I could get all kinds of things done by noon!!
The weather is really looking threatening here- the sky just got all dark-so I better take Kirby and Joyee for thier stroll and swim and coon hunting and sqiurrel chasing and whatever comes along.
Talk with you later,
Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 6:02 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 06:02
Dear katie,
I just talked with Ron becasue I wanted their address. There are some things that I want to send.
Also he told me that you have a slight cold and I hope you are not feeling too down. Anyway I'll pack the things that I have up and send them in the next day or so. It got really cool today and I have all the windows open to get the carpet dry as I shampoo. What a releif to have a cool breeze. Yesterday it was like an oven.
I called Grandma to give her the blog site-that was fun!!! She did good and was going to Aunt Kathy's that night. So you should be getting notes form her also. I saw that you got something from Aunt Kathy-I'm so glad. Maybe she can get a hold of Kim and Kent.
Anyway, got to get at the carpets.
Talk with you later.
Much Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 10:12 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 10:12
Hi Katie,
Zach and I were playing helicopters and, after checking with the tower, he says we are going to Paradise Park. The tower is Gpaw speaking into cupped hands saying things like, "this is the tower speaking, will the pilot of the yellow copter report immediately, over." Since the tower is speaking the helicopter responds, "We are leaving..." We are on the floor, Zach has the helicopter (yellow lawn sprinkler)in one hand and his other hand is on one side of the sprinkler, he is the driver and my hand is on the other side, I am the passenger. He of course is directing the whole scene. While we are moving along the hard wood floor toward Paradise park Zach says, "Gpaw crawl!" "I'm doing the best I can helicopter" said the passenger Gpaw.
Love
Ron
Posted by Ron | June 16, 2008 10:51 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 10:51
Dear Katie,
Remeber that time that you helpe3d me clean the carpets in my mobile home? UGH!! We had to use that HEAVY carpet cleaner-an old fashioned kind. What a mess. I have a Bissel now which is so easy to use and I can do the carpets anytime I want. I'm moving a lot of sand out today.
That was around the same time that we went shopping together for England-Goodwill!!! But you still needed some things when you got there. And I sent them but they went in a slow boat to China first and you didn't get the stuff you needed for a LONG time. I'm sorry that I didn't get to visit you while you were in England-just didn't happen. But I'm gald that you got to go and have the experience and that Dad was able to come and see you.
Well, back to the carpets!!!
Later Aligator!!!
Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 11:35
hey lady,
Glad you got your own room with a view, and not a haunted one. Seems like you're still eating "real food." Is this true? Can we send you some homemade meatloaf and all then? Those cross-bay garden good night kisses from Zach slay me. Maybe children wouldn't be such a bad idea after all...
love,
Shona
Posted by Shona Mauro-Sachs | June 16, 2008 4:32 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 16:32
Dear Katie,
Well, got the carpets done-looks good amd feels clean. Don went to help his borther with fixing the combine-but then Dwight, his brother decided on something different. So Don got home around 12:30 and was able to work on the guest house-he's fixing all the air leaks and putting molding around it-looks rally nice.
We got a VERY LOUD thunder and BRIGHT lightening storm with lots of wind and rain this afternoon. The cable went out as usual but came on in time for Oprah-it was siblings day today-not recognized in all states though. So if you have a chance call Peter and wish him a Happy Siblings Day!!! Just a little Trivia for you.
Miss your post for the day yesterday and hope you can catch us up to speed soon- whenever you are up to it. But I sure missed hearing from you or seeing a picture.
I'm here for whatever you need - wish I could take your place, I'd take this burden off of you in a heatbeat if it were possible. Your deserve the best in life, kid and I wish that for you all the time.
Talk with you soon.
Much love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 16:57
Dear Katie,
Just noticed I sent a message twice-sorry about that. I guess it's old age setting in and the stammering on the keyboard.
Got to make supper of some kind-sounds like a pressure cooker night!!!
Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 16, 2008 5:04 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 17:04
Hi Katie,
Just wanted to say how great it was to chat with you the other night. You & I seem to have a special gift for "deep" conversations - you are a kindred spirit, my friend!! One of the many things I love about you.
The photos on your blog are great...and girl, you didn't tell me you was a blonde now!!!! :-) I love it. The photo of Zach blowing you a kiss is just about the most adorable thing I've ever seen.
Know that I'm thinking of you every day and sending you so much love. (So is Günter.) You are brave, you are a fighter, and you will get through this with the strength of LOVE from all of us...and from within yourself.
Many hugs - I'll check back often!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,
Meredith
Posted by Meredith | June 16, 2008 6:01 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 18:01