Yesterday, my dear friend Joe was admitted to the hospital for a partial robotic nephrectomy. I spoke to him the night before; he was packing a bag, understandably nervous about the operation, and hoping he would only have to stay there one night. His friend, Carmel, was my contact for updates on the surgery, which started around 7:30 am. I was part of an 8 person text group so Carmel could update us all at the same time. The next text asked for prayers because Joe had a “cardiac event” as they started surgery. Resuscitation was in progress. After he was resuscitated, he was put on ECMO, and had a brain scan.

I had to look up ECMO – it stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. It is an “advanced temporary life-support machine that does the work of the heart and lungs for critically ill patients.” It makes sure the brain continues to receive oxygenated blood.

The next update said that Carmel and Melissa – two of Joe’s friends, he has no living family (correction: he has a niece)  – were trying to make the best decision as to his care and that he was going to be transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids – which is all the way across the state of Michigan from the Detroit area. They apparently have a specialized unit that can give the kind of care that he can’t get locally.

That was about 1:05 pm and we were told they would update us when they knew more.

It’s 8:06 am on Friday and there have been no updates.

I am heartsick for my dear friend. We’ve been friends for over 40 years. Joe, Jan, and I shared a house for about 3 or 4 years. I left to go to grad school. We were extremely close, the three of us. Joe was by Jan’s side last year as she fought a losing battle with pancreatic cancer. And now this, something I never expected would happen during his surgery.

Joe updated me about Jan all the time. I could text or call him and he’d tell me what was happening. If Jan was with us, she would do the same, but Jan has passed away and I only have this one contact. It’s such a powerless feeling. I’m not there, I’m far away, and I want to scream “Please, give me an update!” – which I am just about to do.

Joe is a year and a half younger than me.

From what I’ve heard about ECMO, this is as serious as it gets. And Mere tells me it’s very hard to come back from that kind of life support. It can be done, but what kind of quality of life will he have?

I know nothing more at this time.

Don stayed by my side all day yesterday. And he will today.

Please send out some prayers for my Joe.

I should add that Joe is a church organist, and many of the people on this text chain are people from his church. He is beloved there, so he has lots of support and for that I am grateful.

Stay safe.

Oh my god. The heat and humidity have just about done me in. All Don and I were capable of yesterday were the bare minimum of essential tasks and that was it. I watered outside and on the porch. And a bit of pruning in the early morning. That was it. I didn’t even work on the dollhouse. No A/C in that room. At one point, it was 94° but ‘felt like” 103°.

I also couldn’t keep my eyes open and I felt lethargic. I took an hour-long nap and I swear I could have slept more.

Another day of this slop today and some high temps tomorrow, as well. We had some rain last night and today we’re supposed to get thunderstorms.

I am going to make myself do a little work in the dollhouse this morning, just so I can say I DID something.

The Knicks, the Knicks, the Knicks! What an incredible game!

We have daisies popping up right next to the porch entrance:

There are more daisies this year than last. I love them. A ‘cheerful flower’ indeed.

I also did some work outside yesterday morning  and the humidity was so horrid, I thought I was going to pass out. All I was doing was some pruning, but my heavens, it was like walking through muck. So back inside I went.

The crown vetch is blooming. I’m so happy it came back. I think it’s beautiful.

So, a little dollhouse floor work today. Then, when it becomes unbearable, I will turn on the A/C downstairs. Oh yes, we did put in the bedroom unit and I have to say it went right in that window without the usual maneuvering stress. Easy as pie.

Okay, my friends. Time for our second cup of coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Years ago, a reader of the blog sent me some forget-me-not seeds to sow after I lost both of my parents. I planted them in one of the beds. And now, years later, they are no longer in that bed, but they pop up all over the funky patio area and on the borders of some of the other beds. I love that. They’re sweet little flowers. Hi, Mom and Dad!

I am beat!  While Don was out running numerous errands for us, including grocery shopping, I mowed the larger part of the front lawn and the secret garden. The usual bodily responses on my part: tired, sore, and allergy ridden. I’ve been ordered by my husband to take it easy today and he will get no argument from me. I’m glad it’s done, I love mowing. But gosh darn it, I’m on my way to 74 and it’s a lot of work. All I’ll do today in terms of the outdoors is water the porch plants.

I’m finally getting into The Black Wolf. The delay in all of this is not due to Louise Penny. Rather, it’s my inability to concentrate on reading. I have ideas in my head about the dollhouse, I have a lot of work to do outside, and then there’s the debacle that is everything Agent Orange. Thankfully, I’ve reached a point where it’s hooked me, so I plan on doing some reading today, as well.

The wallpaper is on the way! I sent another message to the owner yesterday – no response – but then, at around 5 pm I got a tracking message saying it had left the post office and was on its way. Delivery is supposed to be on Tuesday. Now, I’m worried I’ll screw something up when I’m wallpapering and I’m also wondering why I didn’t order one extra sheet of each design. Ah, well. I am going to have to give myself a talking to: You can do it. You can do it.

It’s very cool today – in the 60s – it almost feels like a seasonal change. But it’s temporary. It will go back to the 70s and 80s next week.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.