Anne and I are home and happy.  We are to be on South Mountain mostly until January when we will travel to Florida.  We expected December to be hectic with both visitors here and travel for the holidays.  November was supposed to be quiet for chores and catch up. 

Then Elley fell and broke her arm and Anne spent ten days whit her in NYC.  While she was away I went to the doctor to check out a probable hernia in my groin.  He said yes.  My surgery is scheduled for November 29.  That was OK, I knew this had to be taken care of.  I aced a dental exam; the next day a crown broke.  Anne, being in NYC, missed her dental exam and cleaning.  Now we are both scheduled for another dental appointment.

Elley had surgery for her arm last Thursday.  Anne called that evening to give a good report on that.  The next morning she called with another report.  Elley was recovering, but my Mom called to report Dad had bloody urine. 

I quickly packed a bag and drove to York.  I took him first to his primary care doc and then to the urologist.  The latter felt the need to insert a catheter, an uncomfortable matter.  We scheduled an ultrasound for Saturday and a return to him for a cystoscopy on Monday.  I knew then I would spend the weekend in York.  I was already working hard.  The dates first proposed for the procedures were Monday and Friday.  I said that would not do. 

Managing the catheter at home was a challenge and uncomfortable for Dad, but we made do.  The ultrasound went well, but the bladder was empty and “could not be evaluated.”  We had been told to clamp the drain an hour ahead of the procedure.  We should have done so earlier.  Dad was probably somewhat dehydrated.  Next time I will know.

Back at my parents home I worked through the “To Do” list before my sister, Laurie, arrived for a planned visit.  She helped and gave me a chance to unwind.  We both stayed overnight.  I had considered going home, but would have had to come back early on Monday.  It was better to visit and assist.  Laurie left on Sunday afternoon.  Sunday night was long.  I severely missed Anne by this time. 

On Monday morning we went to the urologist where the technician removed the catheter.  Dad’s mood improved remarkably.  The bleeding had stopped, probably because we had stopped administering blood thinner on Friday.  The camera probe through the urethra caused no pain;  it was smaller than the catheter tube.

The urologist spotted a small tumor, growth, or cancer.  “It needs to be removed,” he said.  When I asked about the prognosis, he reported that Dad would probably have to come in about every three months for another cystoscopy to monitor for regrowth.  With that, my Dad was ready to leave, but I suggested he have the tumor removed and then take it from there.  He would not have to come back after his recovery if he didn’t want to.  We all agreed and I took Dad home.

The phone rang.  It was Anne.   She had arrived at the Harrisburg train station at 3:40 p.m. I was supposed to be there to pick her up.  Instead, I was still briefing Mom about the results.  I soon left and raced to Harrisburg where I met Anne and gave her a hug. 

Dad’s surgery is scheduled for December 1, two days after mine.  I told Anne she would be busy that week.

Meanwhile, our roof needs to be replaced.  We will meet with the contractor on Saturday.  This work should be complete before the holidays.  The car and the motorhome need inspections.  Anne is working over Thanksgiving week.  We will have company then.  We are making plans for visits to Schenectady.  Alex will fly into NYC and train with Elley to that town to visit with the Woods.  We will meet them there and drive them back here for Christmas.  Elley will train back to NYC and Alex will fly back to San Francisco from Harrisburg.  We are going to be busy from now until January.

This evening I am making pizza.  The dough is rising.  We have neighbors joining us for cards after dinner.  We are at home and enjoying the woods of South Mountain.  A cold front has passed, the rain has ended, and a chill is settling in.Tomorrow will be a lovely if blustery day.  Golden eagles will be coursing along the ridges.  Another lovely day.