Don’t look for the October update, it’s not there. November’s barely is.
Let’s see… since 9/1/25, we’ve gone from nothing to report to whirlwind.
Did my first colonoscopy, they found 3 polyps, 2 are suspicious enough to return in 3 years, and $10k of med bills are wanting paid. Papers have been filed with the catastrophic reimbursement people who are still processing the heart stuff from Feb. Another angle on that “lose your life trying to save it” comment. Again, it means what it says, meanwhile it’s like galoshes, fits on other things too.
Hospice classifies alzheimer’s as a terminal illness, and they currently do more than “the last 6 weeks of breathing,” so they’re now on board. An RN visits weekly and other help is available. Dad’s plan is to keep mom home as long as possible, and to that end, we’ve added some exit locks. She still managed to get past us the other day, but the cold weather & warm fireplace make good co-conspirators. He & our cousin are adding a shower to the main floor, then we can add hygiene help, a common need in the world of cognitive decline.
He still swings between spry octogenarian & tired 81 year old. He can outwork men my age & gets winded going up the stairs. He has weekly coffee with the guys, doctor visits, and trips to the store(s). He’s got both VA and civilian doctors looking after his care. We’re still trying to find a day for admin work & brain break, like my Wednesdays, because caregivers need that lest they become patients. Thursdays might be it, if you’d like to kidnap him or offer a wood pellet carrying competition.
I’ve got several sewing projects in the hopper, some backlog & some Christmas gifts. The projects of short Bible quiz videos in ASL and children’s books are still on the back burner, along with the business that could generate some income, for the tax collectors at least. The school loans ($33k) are still in deferment & growing interest – many people have that problem.
Finally, I had a couple more deaf events in IN & TN. Some of those folks like the idea of Bible quizzes in ASL, but I didn’t manage to collect any videos. The monthly deaf gatherings across town are still happening, but I’ve not been to those in a few months either. I’m hoping to be more consistent in ’26.
There are prayer requests in all my communities. Health concerns, surgeries, post-med complications, loss & grieving of loved ones, the layers involved when that happens around holidays, concerns with a few pregnancies, and then we move out to society at large… God’s got the list, because it’s way too big for my tablet.
I’ve connected with a couple of friends, and I’m thankful for all of you who are so patient with me. I’m awful about resolutions, like many others, but I will endeavor to do better about two things: connecting and writing. The bar’s pretty low, so I’m sure I can manage ‘better’.
May this last month of 2025 hold the warmth of loved ones and the unmissable blessings of God. Get to know Him if you don’t already. ’26 will be so much more bearable with Him.