What's New With Us

So, since the last post....
Courtney went to the dentist the next day and was told she had a wicked cavity - something unknown to both my kids. The dentist assured her it was because it was her last tooth in the back and she couldn't brush it well.. He cleaned out the decay and put medication in it with a temporary filling on top. He explained that this should last her the 5 weeks she will be away in England. When she returns, he will fill it. (I'm not sure if I had mentioned that Courtney will be studying abroad in the U.K for 5 weeks, courtesy of a loan from Mike's Uncle. He offered years ago in case she ever had the opportunity, so when it came up, we took him up on the offer. She will be studying the films of Alfred Hitchcock. She is a nervous flyer and is anxious about being away from all of us, especially Mike for such a long period of time. I truly hope she takes advantage of this wonderful experience and doesn't worry too much). Courtney leaves next Wed. 7/6 and there's so much to still get done.
Two of Mike's sores seem to be healing and Courtney and Elaine are very proud - as they should be. They have been so diligent in caring for them. They can't wait to show Mike's hospice nurse, but she seems to have disappeared. She went on vacation for one week, then we were told (in secret) that she was hospitalized, but it's now been 4 weeks and still no word. We have a substitute nurse coming who Courtney seems to really like.
I was able to get Courtney and Brandon a used car (1991 Ford Probe) from a woman I met through Facebook after our story appeared in Newsday. My heart breaks for her because she just lost her 23 year old son to Pulmonary Hypertension and her mom passed shortly before him. Her surviving son inherited his grandmother's car, so we purchased his car for a VERY reasonable amount. I'm glad the kids have their own transportation, although I am nervous about the fact that this car doesn't have air bags. It's weird getting used to them going here and there "just like that" because they can, although I am, admittedly so, still nervous about them driving on the parkway. Almost every day there's another story about another fatality.
Mike's aide, Elaine is still with us. I'm not sure what her rumbling that day was about, and it makes me nervous about what could happen in the future.
Mike's Sunday aide, a lovely woman named Blanca, will be going away for a month to visit her family in El Salvador. We will miss her terribly! I am happy for her because he hasn't been "home" in two years, but she helps us so much and her absence will be missed. It doesn't help that she will be away for almost the same time as Courtney. You'd better believe that we'll be celebrating when they both get back!!