Paul’s mom has been doing better the past two days. Now that her pain is being better managed, she’s been much more comfortable and alert, regaining some of that feisty personality. In fact, she’s been giving the nursing staff quite a lot of  trouble trying to pull out her tubes so she can go outside to smoke. But she is still confused as she does think that she’s still at home and needs to go smoke outside because the baby is in the house. We are also allowed to bring pets into the hospital so her dog, Gizmo, has been there quite few times to visit. Dogs must be able to sense these things, because he seems hesitant to go near her at times. Especially when she’s really struggling. But Gizmo and her grandson Derek will light up her face in an instant.

My mom has been in town helping out and she heads back today. It’s been nice to have a little bit of home here but soon I will be on my own. I have been picking up a couple hours here and there at the American Eagle out here, so that gives me an opportunity to get away for a little bit. It gives me a little time for myself and busy work to keep my mind pre-occupied.

Paul is doing as well as can be expected. Taking charge of the little details that his mom needs, which is a good place to pre-occupy himself. He’s given his mom his blessing on going home to be with the Lord. His biggest prayer is that if she is not healed, her suffering would not last long. But we spend a lot of time at the hospice with a bunch of Paul’s extended family and there is a lot of them! It’s a regular Petroski/Janiszewski family reunion. Joanie is central to this family and if we can’t gather in her home, we’ll go to where she is. This woman is incredibly loved and you can tell by all the people that are gathered by her bedside.