HAL Sailer

@Scrapnana I second the suggestion of large wheels. My DH's physical therapist made that recommendation and helped us select a Nitro Drive. In addition to the large wheels and expected seat it also folds side to side (see pic below) which is not typical. Most fold front to back and aren't usable folded. But the Nitro Drive can still be rolled in its folded position and that is in very handy when navigating narrow passages -- aisles, between tables, bathrooms, etc. Best wishes in your search for relief, -Melisa

And, that's a perfect reflection of so many CC contributors' respect of and care for the OP @kazu

Thanks everyone for the great Madeira pictures you posted. We honeymooned there and our pictures are all predigital. It was great to reminisce. -Melisa

@kazu The Westgate looks to be a wonderful prelude to your K-dam holiday. Have a great cruise! 🚢Bon Voyage🚢, 🎄Merry Christmas🎄, and 🎉All the best in 2023!🎉 -Melisa

@rafinmd Thank you for keeping DSIL on the lists. I'd suggest just listing her among the Rotation now for however many days the good Lord grants her. Despite her continued weakness, her oncologist is hoping to resume immunotherapy today but that is not considered curative. We will spend Christmas with DSIL as, in one of his more cognitive moments, my DH asked to be with his sister "as I don't think she will live much longer." I do think DH is correct. We arrived home in NWMI last night after four days on the road from SWFL. It's a long haul as the only driver and I need to rethink that strategy as my DH was very confused each day. Staying in the same hotel brand each night so that he has the same lobby, same room layout, etc no longer seems to help. Flying may be wiser... But, we had a safe trip despite the last few hours of driving through magical, ice coated forests. (I should have stopped to take pictures. It was truly beautiful.) The trees were coated but the temperature had come up enough so the roads were only wet. Thankfully. I thought of @dfish when we stopped for lunch at a favorite restaurant known for its comfort food. It's in Ithaca not too far from her new home in Midland and I wondered if @dfish has enjoyed the Mennonite owned Hearthstone Oven on her way to/from Ohio. Much to catch up on here at home and, especially, here on The Daily amidst all you kind folk. While I catch up, please know I send my 🙏prayers🙏 and my🎉hurrahs🎉 to you! -Melisa

@cat shepard: @HAL Sailer praying that DSIL is comfortable. @puppycanducruise: @HAL SailerThanks for the update. I hope things continue to improve. _______ ⬆️Thank you, both, too. -Melisa

I also love the pageantry of this game. The cadets in their winter dress make my heart sing (and, swoon a bit, too...). And, today's game going into two OTs became a historic nail biter!

@StLouisCruisers: Glad to hear more positive news today. I'm sure it will be quite a long time to regain all her strength. I hope things just continue going up from here on. @dfish: Thank you to @HAL Sailer for the update on DSIL. However things progress from here, let her be comfortable and peaceful. @ottahand7: @HAL Sailerthanks for updating us on your DSIL and that she came through her procedure. @Quartzsite Cruiser: HAL Sailer Melisa, I'm glad that DSIL came through the procedure well, and that she and your DH got to have a brief talk. I too am hoping that she can remain comfortable not matter what the future holds. @JazzyV: @HAL Sailer Continued prayers for DSIL. I hope she can regain some of her strength. @kazu: So glad to hear that your DSIL had a successful procedure. Sorry to hear that her condition is so weak and I know this will be an even harder fight for her 😔 winging more prayers her way 🙏🏻 ____________ Thanks for all of the caring comments, wishes, and prayers for my DSIL along with everyone's 💙 and 🏆. With all she is battling, I do not know how she continues to fight on. But, as a very devout person, I know DSIL feels guided by a power much higher than me. -Melisa

My DH was just now able to have a very brief phone call with his sister, my DSIL. She came through the procedure but is very, very weakened. My DH and DSIL only exchanged a few words and their "I Love You"s before signing off. I apologize for the delayed update. Her son did not report last night as DSIL requested he wait till morning. (As a retired RN, she knows how things can change in those post-surgical hours.) Surviving yesterday's procedure means DSIL can continue her fight against her multiple life-threatening issues. There truly is no cure. How her weakened condition will impact her will to fight is unknown. She has put herself through more than most would choose. Thank you, all, for your care and prayer, -Melisa

Thanks @rafinmd. We are still awaiting word from DSIL's son about today's procedure. I will update ASAP. And, thanks all for your care & prayer.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ------ Thank you, all. As @rafinmd so eloquently said above, "Praying for the best and most compassionate outcome." Indeed, a compassionate outcome would be a blessing... -Melisa

I'm asking additional prayers for DSIL. Her infusion port has failed and could not be used at her last infusion. Tomorrow, the doctor will remove and replace it. For that, she had to come off the high dose blood thinners she was prescribed for AFib and increased when her jugular blood clot was found. Friday's procedure could be precarious. Will there be complicated bleeding? Will she have uncontrollable AFib? Will her jugular blood clot break lose? At this juncture, I am drawn to pray for her medical team's wisdom and that my DSIL will be in God's tender care tomorrow -- whatever the outcome. -Melisa

Good afternoon, all -- Trying to catch up after three days of intermittent Wifi outages -- not totally unexpected as utilities continue to sort through Hurricane Ian caused downed lines and replace temporary fixes. So, reading backwards I've likely miss something, but... Patty Melts - YUM! @MISTER 67 - have a great NA cruise. @rafinmd - thanks for continuing DSIL on Rotation. And, continue to take care of yourself as you care for all of us. @smitty34877 - prayers for Tana and for you to get a schedule for your hip. @Quartzsite Cruiser -- so glad to hear DH is home. @kazu -- it's wonderful to hear you are walking again. Go easy, please. @Ichiban Nekko - so glad HAL helped with your evacuation and that you are now home with DH recovering. @ottahand7 -- prayers for your DB. @ger_77 - just declare those cookies home BAKED! @Cruzin Terri -- patience is a hard virtue when it involves the roof over ones head. Hang in there... @aliaschief -- 🤔I don't know about being addicted but I can testify to three days of no WiFi withdrawal.🤔 And, for those I've missed while trying to catch up -- as surely I have -- know it wasn't intentional and my prayer and care and joy are with you. On a final NCAA note: Bulldogs, and Wolverines, and Horned Frogs, and Buckeyes... oh, my... -Melisa

+1

@Quartzsite Cruiser, such great news about your DH. I remember so clearly the day my DH passed his rehab eval and could come home. Probably no happier day than our wedding day! You and DH will be in my 🙏prayers🙏 that all goes as expected! And, thanks for remembering and asking about my DSIL's son's recovery. Between his always unique personality and his 'mind-altering' time as a roadie touring with an international rock band, it is hard to know how much of his noticeable changes are from oxygen deprivation during the accident and how much is prior lifestyle plus aging. He has resumed driving and is very attentive to his mother's medical appointment schedule. Friends make sure they eat well as his limited kitchen skills are impacted by his shortened attention span. DSIL (a retired RN) is currently handling her daily medical regimen. If the time comes that she can't, he won't be a reliable aide. And, I truly don't know how well he will cope when the day comes that he no longer has his mother's guidance.

Add my 🙏prayers🙏 for your DB, DSIL, his medical team, and wishes that he will soon be taking leaps forward to healthy outcomes. -Melisa

Please accept my 🙏prayers🙏 for your BFF's DF's soul and for each of you, too. May the Daily-ites' prayer and care surround you both as you move through these difficult hours. With sympathy, -Melisa

A week ago, DSIL had a loop recorder inserted to monitor for heart AFib after her cancer brain scan showed stroke activity and a blood clot was found in her jugular vein. Friday, during the holiday weekend, the monitoring group called to warn that AFib had occurred and she should go immediately to ER at the slightest sign of an issue. Last night, they contacted her about more AFib activity, another ER advisory, and to schedule her immediately with her cardiologist. Metastatic melanoma, stroke activity, jugular blood clot, AFib -- at age 90, she is somehow keeping hope alive. Thank you all for keeping her in your prayers and thanks @rafinmd for keeping DSIL on the Rotation. We are still in SWFL but prepared to head north as needed, -Melisa

🎉Congratulations to all!🎉 Love the name Ethan -- a bit prejudiced toward it as it's our youngest DGS's name, too. Beautiful! And, such soothing colors. How wonderful that you and your coworkers are helping out businesses disrupted by your project. You truly understand that we're all in this world together. (And, welcome to the Fleet Report & Daily from a relative newbie Daily-ite.) -Melisa

@StLouisCruisers Your Elliott Rose daddy - daughter picture in post #58 is the personification of the saying: "She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl." So sweet... -M.

I agree with @rafinmd in post # 62 that one needs to be very careful when selecting any option to Medicare, but I think @Seasick Sailor was referring to the similarity between that TV ad's crabby Martha and the CC poster who is complaining nonstop about the water problem on Koningsdam. Neither can be satisfied... 🙏Prayers sent your way that you avoid COVID and your grandson has a very mild case.🙏 -Melisa

Absolutely! With two seconds to go, I thought we'd make it to OT but the Bills' FG Kicker is just too accurate! Oh, well -- with the Lions there is always next year... -M.

I have something to 🎉CELEBRATE!🎉 (But @rafinmd it doesn't need to go on the lists.) I just walked out to the mailbox on the street only to see the repairman I've been expecting parked nearby along the road. His company's digital message system had misfired sending him only a truncated address and no contact phone number. And, with his home office closed for the holiday weekend, he had no way to get the needed information. He was ready to leave and come again Monday. My wandering out was truly serendipitous! 🎉-Melisa🎉