Friday, July 22, 2011
I’ve been out of town, on vacation, and on the mend for almost a month—but, thanks to the amazing Ray McDade and his amazing computer (and correspondent) skills, I have not been out of touch.
My first email from Ray reported this juicy tidbit: “Bill [Crowell] had a wreck with his scooter and so it may be a long time before he gets it back.” Apparently it’s standard operating procedure for the Soldiers Home to confiscate the transportation of any speeding, wayward or accident-prone residents. Mike was always worried about losing his electric wheelchair—and one time, after he crashed it into his door jamb and bruised his foot, he swore “they” came in the middle of the night to snatch it under the cover of darkness. But he dissuaded them with swear words. I hope Bill is OK—and remobilized.
But Ray’s July 12 email was the newsiest of all: “Dear Sandy: Thanks for the post card. You will be here just in time for the Aug. 3rd meeting at 1PM. John Lee and maybe Sen. Murray to tell us more about closing light nursing. Also there will be no home bingo during Aug.”
What??? Everything in that paragraph is disturbing except the fact that he got my postcard.
Ray says the Veterans Administration is considering cancelling light-nursing care at the Soldiers Home—which would mean Roosevelt Barracks, which is where Ray lives, along with a lot of other incredible people. I need to learn more about this.
Today I did learn, though, about the August suspension of Home Bingo. It is true. I talked to the Recreation Director, who said the Resident Council voted to cancel Home Bingo for August because of vacations and a dwindling volunteer pool. Although I was on vacation in July. And I am the volunteer pool. Hmm.
Ray sent another email on July 12: “Saw my oncologist today and he thinks I am good for another 6 months.”
I told him I think he’s got a lot more than six good months left in him, and that I’d see him in a week and a half. Which is tonight. Home Bingo. I’m back.
I’ve been out of town, on vacation, and on the mend for almost a month—but, thanks to the amazing Ray McDade and his amazing computer (and correspondent) skills, I have not been out of touch.
My first email from Ray reported this juicy tidbit: “Bill [Crowell] had a wreck with his scooter and so it may be a long time before he gets it back.” Apparently it’s standard operating procedure for the Soldiers Home to confiscate the transportation of any speeding, wayward or accident-prone residents. Mike was always worried about losing his electric wheelchair—and one time, after he crashed it into his door jamb and bruised his foot, he swore “they” came in the middle of the night to snatch it under the cover of darkness. But he dissuaded them with swear words. I hope Bill is OK—and remobilized.
But Ray’s July 12 email was the newsiest of all: “Dear Sandy: Thanks for the post card. You will be here just in time for the Aug. 3rd meeting at 1PM. John Lee and maybe Sen. Murray to tell us more about closing light nursing. Also there will be no home bingo during Aug.”
What??? Everything in that paragraph is disturbing except the fact that he got my postcard.
Ray says the Veterans Administration is considering cancelling light-nursing care at the Soldiers Home—which would mean Roosevelt Barracks, which is where Ray lives, along with a lot of other incredible people. I need to learn more about this.
Today I did learn, though, about the August suspension of Home Bingo. It is true. I talked to the Recreation Director, who said the Resident Council voted to cancel Home Bingo for August because of vacations and a dwindling volunteer pool. Although I was on vacation in July. And I am the volunteer pool. Hmm.
Ray sent another email on July 12: “Saw my oncologist today and he thinks I am good for another 6 months.”
I told him I think he’s got a lot more than six good months left in him, and that I’d see him in a week and a half. Which is tonight. Home Bingo. I’m back.