I went with Ed yesterday to Gulf Coast Hospital where he got a colonoscopy. He was amazing during the prep, followed all instructions, didn’t complain. I had bought broth and Italian ices and juices. I was the designated driver on the return and I explained to the nurses that, sedative or not, Ed would micromanage my driving all the way home, and so he did. The result was encouraging although a biopsy of a polyp will still be done. Doctor said it was benign. It was a woman, very competent. I am always amused when Ed allows unfamiliar women to view his privates.

During the wait period I visited a couple of the shops in the hospital complex, particularly one where they sell high end clogs like Koi, for hospital workers. I would have gotten a pair but they didn’t have my size. My bag, slung over my shoulder, contained, besides my Kindle and other stuff, Ed’s glasses, wallet, keys, etc., so it was heavier. And I mention this because I had no trouble walking with it and I was on my feet at least 40 minutes.

This morning I got out of the house about 9:15, a personal best given my sloth of recent months. I wanted to avoid the heat of the midday sun. I walked down to the big road, crossed it, and sat in a mall that had benches. My upper back was killing me. I had a small bag with shoulder strap to hold water and tissue and phone and credit card. I kept shifting it. I finally removed the water bottle and carried it in my hand. Maybe it was the sun, which really was quite hot despite the early hour. After a rest, I started back and made it up to Nadine’s area way, moved one of her canvas chairs to the passage between houses where there is a great breeze and had another rest. I replaced the chair and was able to make it the rest of the way home. I didn’t bother Nadine – will see her Friday at one of our now rare group lunches.

I had been listening to NPR podcasts and a jostle made the device switch settings and I got, instead, the Chopin etudes – a Russian pianist who is phenomenal. So I stayed with this and was surprised to sense that the back pain didn’t get as bad with this in my ears. I just don’t know why walking this way is so much more debilitating than trudging with my much heavier tote in a mall. And I start out with so much ambition – today, I think, I’ll walk over the bridge to the other shops (where I used to visit Sue, my tailor friend who relocated to Wisconsin). But I never make it. It’s a much longer walk.

I then went over to Don’s to check on him. He was having a new TV installed because he said the old one had given up and he didn’t want to be in a quiet house (I can relate). Didn’t have much chance to talk since a couple of neighbors came over too. He is a bit manic, filling up his time with things to do, things to do. This is, folks, the really hard part.

What is refreshing is that Ed said I should keep an eye on him. That takes the pressure off – because I thought their historical alienation might interfere with maintaining a connection. No matter what has gone before, we have been family since 1950.

xx, Teal