A Beer At The Bridge!

Having made a choice to live gluten-free, there are a few things that I miss a lot.  Hamburger and hot-dog buns are at the top of the list; beer is right up there too.

I stopped in at my local grocer on the way home from school this afternoon and after picking up my eggs at the back of the store I walked past the beer cooler.  I peruse the cooler regularly for a gluten-free beer I'd heard about.  Today I hit a double jackpot!  I won $7 in the Powerball lottery, and nestled in the cooler among the micro-brews was Red Bridge gluten-free sorghum beer!  I grabbed a six-pack and headed for the register.

Now most beer aficionados have said that none of the gluten-free beers are any good except this one, so I by-passed any attempt to find other brands.  Upon opening Red Bridge and taking my first sip, I was greatly and pleasantly surprised; Red Bridge tastes like real beer!

So if you love beer, have no problems with alcohol and are living gluten-free, go and find yourself some Red Bridge.  You'll be glad when you try it!  Remember the rule:  Drink responsibly, don't drink and drive!

I hope my store will keep this in stock forever!

Silver Linings

Today we received some good news for my mom! 

I wrote a note to the doctor in charge of mom's care.  Now, keep in mind, this doc is not mom's doctor, he is simply a doctor assigned to review the case.  He is not on staff at the care facility.  He is rarely physically present.  I had to pass the note to the nurse, who then relayed my questions by phone to the doctor. Bless her heart, she did ask!

I mentioned a couple of labwork details that have been brushed off by four different doctors now and asked if he thought them worthy of concern.  He responded by doing a number of blood tests!

Well, the results of one test came in, and BINGO!  We are getting a referral to a good endocrinologist!

The other panel won't be in for a few days.  I am anxiously awaiting that, but thankfully this kind and observant doctor really sees something worth a closer look and did not brush aside our concerns just because mom is 83 years old.  He is pursuing the details her personal physician ignored.

She's had a good three days.  Very clear-headed and more like herself than I've seen her in a long time.  The other good news is that she may be out of the care facility in a couple of days.  I hope it happens!  I am anxious to be in my own home (600 miles away) after spending 5 weeks at mom's , and I'm very anxious for things to improve for mom.  This has been one hellish year for her.

Keep praying, anyone who is reading this!

It's Been A Long Time...

I am a little weary tonight.  I have now been at my  mom's house, 600 miles from home, for a month.  She has been in a "skilled nursing facility" for all this time, and we still do not have a good time-frame for her discharge.

I have been going over there every single day.  I am often there from morning until bedtime, leaving only to take one family member home and bring another.  My brother is here living in mom's house, and for a while my daughter (who is a certified nursing assistant) was with me; then my husband joined us and we all pitched in with the many needed tasks.  I had the eerie thought that it took only one of mom to raise 4 kids, it is taking 4 people to care for one mom...(sigh).  There must be something poetic in that.  My sister is unable to be here, she lives and works in Pennsylvania. 

My daughter left to go home last week, and my husband left this morning.  It is back to my brother and me trying to look after mom and her house.

The nursing staff is overworked, there are not enough people to manage the needs of the residents.  The food is gross.  It has been difficult to find out where things are that would help us take care of mom, and what services are available.  So, we have been doing a lot of her care ourselves.

She will need a lot of help when she gets home, and I would have moved her up with me but she has changed her mind and decided she wants to stay in her house.  It will require at least a half-time person to attend her.

I am discouraged, depressed, home-sick.  We could sure use the wisdom of Solomon right now!  Sure wish mom had long-term care insurance.

Well, enough whining.  I need to get some sleep so I can get up early and do mom's laundry before heading back to the rehab place.  If anyone is reading this, please say a prayer for us!  Our endurance is slipping.