We had some excitement while Mom visited us of which most was planned and anticipated. There were the two beautiful weddings and events leading up to them. The visit at the Getty Mueseum in Malibu, the boys soccer games, visits to the beach and strand, and the joy of visiting friends. Two sources of unexpected delight were the the car break-in while we were sunning ourselves at the beach in Malibu and the dizzying last day of her visit. While the break in was chronicled here previously the events leading up to my Mom's trip to the airport is the basis for today's tale.
A little background is necessary here so please be patient. The routine for a typical weekday workday is for Connie to arise at 5 in the AM to get ready for work including making coffee, feeding the dogs, making the boys' lunches, and finally watch some news while sipping coffee before taking off. On this day, Wednesday October 1st, Mom had a 1:25 PM flight back to NY and here she was sitting at the dining room table. "How sweet" Connie thought. She normally would wake up a little before 7 when Connie would be gone. By then I would get the boys up out of bed but today was ripe for one last special moment and goodbyes. However, Mom's first words weren't "good morning" but instead "it always happens during the night."
What is she referring to today. She had an episode where her sleep was hampered by an aching leg. On a more recent day she complained about a tooth ache and subsequently Connie took her to see the dentist. That visit was more protracted than envisioned but I won't go into anymore detail other then to say an infected tooth was "drained" and a regimen of antibiotics was immediately begun. So what was it today? Mom's face was all puffed up. The antibiotics ran out one day prior and now she looked like she went a few rounds with a one armed boxer, Connie knew that the infection had worsened and that under certain conditions could be life threatening. Was this one of those circumstances? We called her dentist in NY and he recommended seeing an oral surgeon. We also contacted the local dentist who prescribed the antibiotics and she said get her into the emergency room immediately. Connie called the ER at Torrance Memorial and they had an oral surgeon on staff if needed to assist so off I went with Mom. Connie stayed home to get the boys to school.
At the ER we were immediately taken in and Mom was quickly admitted. Her tooth was not infected but the area under her eye was. A megadose of antibiotics was ordered up and soon administered. Although she was sitting up throughout it was not easy watching my mom receiving the antibiotics via an IV while her face was contorted. It is a scenario I stuffed in the back of my mind for some far off date- not today. Within an hour we were done and her appearance was noticeably improved. Thank God! We had less than an hour to get on our way to the airport. The photo is one last picture as we headed out. If you look closely you'll see chubbier than usual cheeks and a hospital band still on her right wrist.
The trip to the airport itself was uneventful but I was still anxious because I had work commitments for the afternoon and - was she really okay to fly? The ER doctor reassured us all was fine and no problems could arise once the treatment was completed. But she was up early, had a pain killer and is usually drowsy in the morning after taking her 7 morning pills. I decided to escort my mom to the gate and stay with her. By calling in advance and requesting a wheel chair for her the day before (her leg still bothers her) I was able to obtain an escort voucher. Along with the woman who piloted the wheelchair we scooted through security and to the gate. The only hang up was my titanium hip triggering the security sensor. Had to endure a 5 minute pat down and checkout. But once at the gate I made certain that the Gate attendant met Mom and understood her condition. She had taken a painkiller and was a little drowsy. I finally left with the knowledge that she was okay and in good hands. I give American Airlines two thumbs up for the manner in which they helped us. If not for the $50 surcharge for an overweight bag I would speak more glowingly. I exchanged one last set of hugs, kisses, goodbyes and off I went. I turned around one last time to see cheeky mom cheerily waving goodbye. Gratefully the energy and inner glow was there and hundreds of mental images in my mind of her normal smile drowned out today's false face.
After a two hour delay Mom's flight arrived at JFK one hour late. Wheelchair service took her first to baggage claim where my brother met them and then to his car. Mom finally got home by 1 am EDT (10 pm PDT). It made for a long day but she made it home safely.
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