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As terrible as this week has been, we have been blessed by the people around us. I know it's expected that hospitals give good care, but we received exemplary care at Northeast Baptist Hospital.

My dh dealt with the ER personnel, but he said they were all excellent and compassionate.

Brandi, the little nurse who worked with my MIL Saturday night and called us Sunday morning, didn't want to leave her shift until she was sure my MIL was okay.

Judi, who was thoughtful and efficient and there in a blink when we called her.

Tony, who was so gentle with her.

The boy who took her down for her first CT, and let her feel useful by letting her carry her chart.

Cerina, who took her down for her CT Sunday morning, so sweet and patient.

Alfred (or Albert) who was the tech who helped with her upper GI Sunday, so patient and gentle.

Amanda, the speech pathologist, who was so upset that Renea went down so quickly.

The respiratory therapist who came in yesterday, and before she left told us, "God bless you."

The housekeeping ladies yesterday, the one who did the cleaning and the supervisor, who both told us the same thing, "God bless you."

The chaplains, who understood we needed to laugh a little and cry a little.

The lady in the administrative office who hugged me and brought me tissue when I went looking for the chaplains.

Dr. Mallott, who looked as upset as my husband when he told us she would go yesterday. I honestly thought he was going to cry.

The lady in the attendance office at my son's school, who squeezed my arm and wished us good luck.

You guys, who have emailed and called and sent me your phone numbers if I want to talk.

Chris Fletcher, who emailed me from Russia when she found out.

In my MIL's letter to my dh, she said people were rude and hateful. I hope this week changed her heart.

We lost her today at 1:45. I'm glad I'd stayed home, but I had to go get the boy, who'd gone to school, after the doctor told us she would pass today. Fred's sister made it too, coming into the room, just minutes before Renea took her last breath.

She didn't want a service or an obituary, but I wrote this about her a few years ago. Superheroine

We got some of her papers and she'd left a loving letter to my dh. She also had an interest in collecting coins and stamps that I didn't know about.

The next few days are going to be hard, but she's at peace. She doesn't have to fight anymore.

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Sunday was bad. Very bad. My MIL is extremely disoriented so the hospital called us at 7 AM and my dh stayed most of the day. We managed to slip out for breakfast when she went to sleep but the hospital called in the middle and the dh went back while the ds drove me to the grocery store, then to the local political party headquarters for a yard sign (they were out). I said I need a shirt that says, "I survived the boy's first trip on the highway." I got some of the house clean in between visits and sleeping.

The dh has had maybe 8 hours of sleep all weekend, and is taking today off.

I need to tell my co-workers what's going on and wish I could just do it in one announcement so I don't have to say it over and over.

I have to say the dh is a true hero. If you could see how patient he is with his mom....it's just amazing.

Doesn't feel right to post a pic of Jared today. :(

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They're thinking my MIL has lung cancer, pretty advanced. We'll know more Monday, and we're still processing. There's a lot to be taken care of in either case. So far her spirits are pretty good, but that will change. She's already said she won't do chemo, and it might be pointless. So we're looking at care for her, whether here or hospice or what....I don't even know what questions to ask.

So my goals this week are different. What I GOTTA do, what I SHOULD do and what I WANNA do.

GOTTA

1) hospital every night (and avoid eating out) Be strong for the dh and ds.
2) clean the house. It's BAD and Trish will be here in a week.
3) color my hair. My roots are awful.
4) Write the play for school
5) go to library
6) go to grocery store
7) go by MIL's house and gather mail, etc.
8) make sure the dh contacts the rest of the MIL's family.

SHOULD

1) go to senior night at the boy's school
2) get ready for critique
3) work on Vamp Hunters
4) get a thank you gift for the B&N CRM

WANNA

1) enter Vamp Hunters in the Emily
2) get my eyebrows done