north again

We almost didn't arrive in ANC. The pilot took two runs to get us to the tarmac. Many of us clapped! Anchorage was foggy all day on Monday (this photo is from T). A very helpful Mya gave me several hotel choices and we ended up at the Inlet Towers. Mum was able to rest a bit before we needed to check in for the surgery.  

 Mum really liked this pillow blanket. It is plastic and is hooked up to a heater hose. The cells fill with warm air and the whole thing is covered with a light blanket. They only use it in the prepping room.

Mum's surgery took a bit. The most marvelous Dr. Luke put a pain pump inside of her. The bits below are the remote pieces. You place the flat piece or the meter looking piece on top of where the pump resides and it will give mom a dose of meds. The pump has meds inside it and is constantly giving her a steady low dose, the remote just gives her a boost when she needs it. We will go back up after a bit for Dr. Luke to re-calibrate it and give her the ok. He was really pleased with how well she came thru the surgery, how fast she's healing, and her strong character. 

On the way back, Susie sat with mom and I got to sit on the opposite side of the plane in a window seat!!! Very fun, I rarely see the 'other side' of the inlet. 

When we got back, I found a box waiting for me! Christmas from Steve and Jon. (and a card from Wayne and Liz in GA) Sparkly dangly earrings and Amazon and test strips. Hoooray!!! (also a couple of envelopes sent to Oregon instead of AK, because OR is my address!) 

It was a successful trip up and we are both glad to have those flying visits done for a while. The next appointment should be a one day up and back thing. Not sure when, though--

Arness Dock in October

Mum wanted to visit the beach today. Obi was just excited to go somewhere! It was very nice, almost warm, at Arness Dock. The tide was out a bit and the water was calm. A perfectly lovely hour next to the Inlet. 

 Obi has a thing about waves. He absolutely must bark at them. I reckon he doesn't like how they keep moving and he can't do a thing about it!

 Mum was quite a ways down the beach. I stayed closer to the car.

 Mum picked up lots of loot!!! Rocks of all kinds-Obi just barked.

 Adding a picture of me. Steve made a comment that photographers don't often show up in photos, so I figured I should put one in.

 This rock had a face. I'm not sure you can see it. I almost stepped on it and was a bit startled!

 Mum's rock haul.

Seasons of Mom

I've been coming up to Alaska for several summers now. Each one seems to last longer than the time I thought. Nevertheless, I take a lot of photos. Some of the pictures might even have mom in them. I wanted to share the ones with mom so you can see how much she has changed since the summer of 2014. 

 Mom and I got to go on a glacier cruise in Seward my first summer home. When I got ready to leave, JaLeen took photos of the three Egberts. I didn't add the one where she cut off our heads. Even it if is my favorite one!

 In 2015, I got to Alaska on Memorial Day. We spent Father's Day with Janet's family.

 I was in Alaska til October that year.
 My sojourn in 2016 started in mid July. Mom was going thru chemotherapy and it was not helping as much as hindering. Cancer is something I've never worried much about. I mean, Mum has overcome the big C for 30 some years. Chemo, THAT scares me to death.

 This was the last photo I took just before I flew out of Kenai. It was in mom's kitchen in Nikiski on October 15, 2016..

 I arrived back in Alaska on November 3. Mom was sent to Anchorage on November 6.  I took this photo in mid November. Mum was pretty sick.

 We were able to leave the hospital on November 26, after Thanksgiving. The plane ride was hard on all of us.We landed in Kenai and moved into the parsonage at the United Methodist Church. We are still at the parsonage on Feb 12, 2017.

 Christmas brought us Jacit. It was so good she was able to come and visit on mom's favorite holiday.

 We were able to get mom a hair trim in early January. I am entirely grateful to Tamera for helping make mom lovely.

These are all different photos taken in January. She is now sleeping in a bed and uses oxygen at night. I don't know how long that will last, but taking it one day at a time.

 Knitting chemo hats has always been one of her favorite things to do. I had to remind her I had put several patterns for this hat in her yarn boxes. She often has trouble remembering how to make them.She has made quite a few since the end of November. At least 10 or 12, she says she needs yarn she has at the house cuz she is running out. (the boxes here at the parsonage still look fairly full, but I don't know yarn very well)

 At the end of January, mom got to see her dog, Obi. He is staying at Janet's and she took him for a grooming. I asked if she would bring the pup by for a short visit. Mom was very glad.

This last one was taken tonight. Feb 12, 2017. She didn't have on her glasses and my smile looks forced.  I was reminding mum to smile. Smiletalking, it is photography thing!

Mom is wanting to go home and plant and sew and get projects done. She misses watching the birds, her pets, and she absolutely misses her multi channeled bigger screen TV.
  Where there is life, there is hope.