Roller coastering along!

Life's been rolling right along.

I have been a panel member on a real life version of "To Tell The Truth [remember that TV show?] but there were 4 personalities... 3 impostors and then the real Flo. First there was Lucy[ as in Hal'luci'nation] who saw people and things that really weren't there, most often in the evening hours when things go bump in the night! Then when antibiotics arrived on the scene, general health improved but all she wanted to do was sleep. No eating or drinking...just sleeping upright in the recliner to assist in breathing. Not necessarily without any moments of drama though!! My favorite 'Funniest Home Video' segment was so-o unexpected, and I 'SO ' wish that there was a Candid Camera focused on caregiver St Nic's face to capture the moment. After about 5-10 minutes of lovingly trying to get some fluids into Flo, it was obvious that all the patient really wanted was to be left alone, and she had already expressed this wish. Nic decided to try just one more time of 'take a sip of this juice' and she placed the straw to touch the outside of Mom's lips. In a quiet yet sarcastic voice surely meant as an aside, her thoughts were whispered ...in the form of the words..
"Jesus Christ!"

Nic's head spun around like Linda Blair's in the Exorcist and her eyes were huge! It was priceless! Never..ever.. had there been a hint of this behavior from the gentle blue-eyed angel in her care for a couple of years!! This was Maxine!!

It was a moment of comic relief that still brings a smile to my face just by thinking about it.

Mom began responding to the antibiotic, and as she slept her way back to her regular good-natured old self, we referred to her as "Rip Van Winkle" shortened to an affectionate 'Rip'. Thankfully, the antibiotics kicked in, and as if someone flipped a switch, she opened her eyes and 'Sweet Flo' was back. Yea! Wahoo!! Out of the woods!

Not so fast, Kimosabe!

The wheezing returned, she choked taking her medicine, and back to the doctor we went.

The actual format of this movie has been changed to fit in a blog mode. There was a 911 call and trip to the ER, but that's another story for a different day.

Wrapping it up: With a different antibiotic and a couple of [at home] nebulizer treatments, Rip is sleeping comfortably in the recliner again. I dare say, I would be very surprised if Maxine were to return. And very, very unhappy if sleep-deprived Lucy were to return. I think the GPS has located Flo.

So, in the words of the 'To Tell The Truth Show'...

Will the real 'sweet natured Flo' please stand up?