AcornHusk of Ember

Thanks to all for the good wishes for my mother. Her heart catheterization took place today--finally!! After she was there from 9 to 1 pm without anything to eat. She was supposed to be there at 9 for an 11 am procedure. The Duchess was there with her. Post-cath, she had to lie still for about six hours to make sure the puncture site clotted properly, because you don't want someone to start bleeding from a femoral artery. So it was a long day. The puzzling part is that the Duchess was told AFTER the procedure that Mother couldn't be alone for 24 hours. That was news to her--not mentioned in the pre-procedure instructions, even though she asked specifically about aftercare. SO ANNOYING. Because her assisted care place doesn't really do 24/7 surveillance. The Duchess said she'd probably have to sleep on the couch in Mother's room. But she really didn't want to. So, about 10 pm, Mother called me from her room, to which she had been returned, and chatted with me for a minute to let me know she was home. The Duchess was not there. She made Mother promise not to get up out of her chair or bed without calling for assistance. She evidently told the staff to keep an eye on her. And then left. I'm sure the Duchess has had a horrible day of it, but I still wonder if this is really the best arrangement. It's utterly pointless to make Mother promise things, because she can't remember even if she wants to. However, I can't do anything about it. Queenie group-texted about 7 to ask the Duchess if Mother was home yet, and the Duchess texted about 8 to say that they had just arrived at her place, and that she would text us later. But now it's later, and she hasn't told us anything. So I'm not about to tell Queenie that Mother called me, and the Duchess didn't stay, because that would be like tattling. Oh, the moral dilemmas of siblinghood . . . . I suppose they're all asleep now anyway . . . . I didn't see those texts immediately because I was on the phone with Mr. Science, who is at home recuperating from his surgery. I had a dream about him a few weeks ago that indicated he was having some troubles, and it turned out to be correct, so we were talking. He told me his theories on quantum entanglement. I have phone exhaustion again.

I went to the dentist this morning. I dreaded this visit, because I felt I hadn't been diligent enough with my flossing. I'm very happy to report that my gum recession is basically stable, with some areas of improvement! I am no longer threatened with the dreaded "deep treatment." Yay! I'm re-inspired to work even harder on my gums. Right now they are just sore because there was a lot of poking involved. My hygienist is terribly thorough.