On this visit (I came with Jim, who certainly knows the ropes around here),
I met one of Joann's charming sisters, Judy.
I observed that the frog couple seemed to have proliferated many
smaller stuffed animals, who appeared to be reading some of Joann's many
get-well cards.
An amazing number of cards had arrived that morning
(Wednesday, 7/15) and Jim read them. I observed that Joann, who seems
pretty firmly ensconced here by now (lots of cards pinned to Jim's week-end
cot, many appurtenances within octopus arm's reach in all directions), was
kind of kicking the sheets around. In spite of air conditioning, a lot of
the warm outside humidity was getting in. It was a little harder for her
to breath, but it didn't slow the conversation down.
Had Joann read the
books that Lowell had brought? Not quite, but she had been reading someone
else's books, so she was managing to fit some reading in and there was hope
here.
The night nurse enters and discusses the evening's medication plan.
Whatever it takes. Joann is a medication veteran and it seems to be
working. She is tough. We discuss and Jim shows off Joann's new Dell
notebook computer. (Windows 98, but they didn't install the channels.)
Some chat about Joann's Web page (getting 50 to 60 visitors a day) and
various Web sites and some other technical stuff that even we didn't
understand. We discuss hearing aid batteries, the profusely opulent
flowers in the Ives and Shaughnessy front yard, recent visitors.
Jim takes
our picture and also the picture of some of the stuffed animals. Suddenly
it's time to go. We give Joann our hugs. (Jim gives her the biggest hug.)
Good night, Joann! Good night, Larissa! Get some sleep for a change!