Soon after we left for vacation, my friend KenM started posting an online account of his mother's final illness. I've known Ken for 20 years, since he was a young pup. Over the years, I've met his entire family -- his sister through my food coop, his brother through theater connections, and his parents, who live in the same town where I live, here and there.
His mom came down with a chronic and rare lung problem about a dozen years ago. For a while at least, she was waiting for a lung transplant. More recently, she developed heart problems and she was rushed to the hospital many times and always recovered. Many thought that her determination came from having a young grandson with whose arrival she was delighted.
In any case, about two weeks ago, she had a near fatal heart attack, hung on for nearly a week, and died. The family used their reserves' reserves to to ensure her comfort.
In the middle of all this, my friend Ken acquired an elbow infection which turned serious and then systemic. He's been in the hospital since Thursday and was given a day pass for the funeral. They think they have a handle on it, and they're switching him from IV to oral antibiotics. He's being sprung today.
I've been talking to him on the phone, and it's been pure joy to hear his voice get stronger every day. Robert had this same infection about 15 years ago, and it was terrifying. We're lucky he came away with it with all limbs attached. Sounds like Ken will be similarly lucky but I've been quite worried over the whole thing.
As the oft-quoted KAH might say, Friday the 13th came in September this year.
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