August 30, 2004

Sheesh, What a Day...

Today was just full of good news. (Got your Sarcasm-O-Meters turned on?)

I got a phone call from my dad today saying that my grandmother fell and broke her hip. Nana has been in an Alzheimer's treatment center for the last seven years, which is about the same time that she lost pretty much all of her self-knowledge. She has no inkling who anyone is, friend or family or even nursing staff. So I guess there is some connection with physical trauma and Alzheimer's patients, and the doctors are guessing that Nana has between five and seven days left to live.

It's a mixed blessing, really. I feel like she died years ago when her mind left. Her body has been suspended on earth, and it really is just tragic. And now I'm trying to decide if I go to California if/when there is a funeral. As I have mentioned, my mother and I are irrevocably estranged by her religion. I couldn't been anything but cooly polite toward her. She'd be a gibbering booby, alternately hating me for not being a believer, and then begging me to re-establish our horrifically dysfunctional relationship.

Anyway...

I also found out today that our former neighbor is in the final stages of cancer. He's been in and out of remission for the last couple of years, but his wife says this is it. He's off all treatment and the doctors say that all they can do is try to make him more comfortable.

Peachy day. Just friggin' peachy.