@auntieoakley , @sirgalahad , and @colleenyoung ...@lioness, everyone...@gingerw, @johnbishop ,all of our Mayo Clinic family....

A long shower and warm food in one's own home goes a long way towards getting back to normalcy, even if it is only for a little while.

Down here, you have to get to the hospital at the same time the doctors are finished seeing their patients, so you can catch them before they leave for their offices.

Today I was fortunate in that I met with four of her doctors. All of them responded to any questions I had and showed me kindness and respect.

I have been on autopilot, probably masking too much, but it is so important for the physicians to have a complete profile of their patient. Especially when the patient has multiple serious conditions such ad CHF, COPD, Lymphedema, Cellulitis, Diabetes, etc.

Simple things like finding clothes to wear tomorrow and asking the teen if we should make spaghetti for dinner tomorrow night, are helpful ways of grounding myself. Do I wear a little bit of the cologne she gave me for Christmas, or do I wear the Wal Mart special I really like?

Do I play songs on the piano, or do I listen to YouTube inspirational music? Sure, it's not rocket science. But it helps to ground me. Because when I enter those doors in ICU I have almost no control over what happens to my daughter.

I am washing a load of laundry, another bit of everyday life that speaks "normalcy." I close my eyes and wonder for a monent what tomorrow will bring. I dare not be so hopeful that I become unrealistic. It could all go south in the blink of an eye.

Praying that is not the case. Hoping for the best.
Grateful for you all here.

Mamacita Jane