The Ultrasound - Not

Lest we forget, it's Remembrance Day.  Here is a lovely Remembrance story I read in the paper about Aunt Sara's Diary.

Last week, I had planned an ultrasound for my mom.  The doctor is monitoring a potential problem.  This is the type where you have to eat a fat free diet the night before and fast after midnight,  so no dairy, or fried food.  Then you have to drink 4 cups of water an hour before the test.  My sister, who she lives with, took care to prepare a fish meal the night before.  The next morning I pick mom up, only to find her eating something.  She has memory loss and there's nothing to do about it.  So, I've rescheduled for another morning and we'll keep trying.  I was able to take her for a routine blood test anyway.  I had carefully orchestrated how I would get to the lab an hour early and have her drink the water there before the test.  Then, if she became uncomfortably full she would be able to relieve herself.  Maybe I should have her drink 3 cups of water because she will likely empty her entire bladder if she needs to go.

A couple of friends have elderly parents who are very ill at this time.  They are trying to find suitable respite care at a reasonable cost with acceptable waiting lists.  Hmm.  Of course the expensive ones ($7500/month for example) have no waiting list.