Should be an intresting week or so

[Deans BMW]

This next week should be intresting................

Several things are happening at once, the CPA firm that Pam worked at until just over a year ago begged her to come back......and at a raise yet. In these little towns, not much opportunity for imployment above min wage. She will be the office mgr and mgr of the firm of about 25 employees the biggest CPA firm up here.

I just found out that I have to get to Lufkin, Texas (East Texas) to help deal with my Mom who is in her last stages. My sister has been handling the ordeal and I plan to help in dealing with Hospice, the care center and most importantly to make sure that she has ENOUGH good pain med drugs, etc.

My old Jeep Cherokee has just developed some serious problems that will require some extensive work, Mz Pam has to have the Subaru Forester to get to and from work esp in lite of how bad the 3 mile drive way from Hell has gotten this winter............................so I am going to ride the CLC to Lufkin Texas and back, just over 1,000 miles each way.

The CLC has great weather dealing qualities, heated seat, heated grips, a barn door fairing, so this should be another adventure. Should take about a week for the entire trip and the weather looks like I will have about an 8 day window in the weather, at least no snow.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. We plan to load the bike on my trailer to get it out to the main road. Life is never dull.

[jamming]

Dean, sorry to hear about your Mom. If there's anything you need or anything I can do, let me know.

[BobFV1]

Ride safe, amigo - take your time, enjoy the quiet solitude of the open road. Godspeed.

[1MPH]

Dean, Sorry to hear about your Mom. Take care.

Tell Pam congratulations on Job. Sounds like an interresting week ahead of you both.

[mnnden]

Dean, it sounds like you have been handed a pretty full plate, very stressful, Our thoughts will be with you and yours, Take care, Den

[Tipstall]

Sorry to hear about your Mom.

Ken

[Wild Will]

Dean, tell the pole dancers in Ozona, Tx. that WW said howdy! Ride safe, 'hoon on a schwein' (that's "hog" auf Deutsch). Bill Mayer is building a 'Dean Commemorative' seat, with a charcoal filter built in.

Dean's mother was once a celebrated architect. She was way ahead of her time, and I've seen some of her work. I'd sure loved to have met her before her illness. I'm glad my dad went quickly; I know he is too.

[Gord]

Dean - a bitter sweet week to be sure. Good news for Mz Pam, and then sad news with your mother. Then mechanical issues on top of it all. I am sure it is overwhelming at times. May your journey be the cartharsis that sees you through. Safe riding and best wishes to you and your family.

[Griffon]

Wow Dean, that's quite a lot on your plate. I echo the sentiments of the others. We'll be thinking about you and yours in Southeast PA, if we can be any kind of support please let us know.

[Tassie Devil]

Isn't it a bugger when the truck breaks down and you are forced to take the bike?
You're a trickey one Dean...

Pass on my best wishes to your Mum. My poor 91 year old Mum fell and broke her hip the other day and had a successful op last night. Mum and Dad were making the bed together in the morning and Dad said he heard a bump and when he looked for Mum.... she wasn't there...
It's a worry though....

Congrats to Mz Pam on her appointment. It's a good feeling knowing that you are appreciated and that you are damn good at what you do.

Cheers,

JQ.

[FryDaddy]

Dean, sorry to hear about you mom. I hope you and your sister are able to take of things OK. Not an easy task, taking care of the ones who have taken care of you.

Good luck to Mz. Pam in her new job.

I live in Plano, so if you need a place to stay if your coming through DFW, you are most welcome. My cell is 214-794-9671.

Be safe on the road.

Terry

[Capt. Blackadder]

That's a whole heap on the ol' plate there, Dean... a mixture of good and not so good. My best wishes to your mom, hopefully she suffers as little as possible. Keep the rubber side down on your trip, and godspeed.

[JCsman]

Dean,

Judy and I are both thinking of you in this trying time. Ride safely.





And congratulations to Ms. Pam.

[Dirty Doug]

Dean,

As you know both Toni and I will be along with you in our thoughts and prayers. Should you require more than that you've only to ask.

Dirty Doug

[Deans BMW]

Made it to Socorro, NM. only about 220 miles from the house. Did not get to leave until 3:30 yesterday afternoon. The last 180 miles prior to here was at an elevation of 7,000 ft and above and the temp never got out of the mid to hi 20's.....needless to say I was a little chilled when I arrived at dark and called it an evening. My goal in life is to make events into an adventure....so thats what this is, even with the difficult task ahead.

I am going to convince Hospice, the Doctors and the care center that under no circumstances I want Mom to feel pain. They have protocals that allow pain med to be supplied on a schedule, I am getting it changed to whenever needed. Their argument is she might become addicted, my reply, who cares as mentaly there is no longer anyone home. Hers is a case of her getting such extremely good care that she is living longer than she would other wise, my sister and I are thinking that this is starting to border on being somewhat crule. A fine line, I know.

Oh well, something that we sometime have to deal with.

Sun just now rising, time to hit the road again.

[Rchop]

Glad to hear Mz Pam got that great job back, and sorry to hear about your Mom. Ride safe Dean.

[Gord]

... my sister and I are thinking that this is starting to border on being somewhat crule. A fine line, I know.

Dean - my brothers and sister and I first noticed my father showed some indications that his faculties were slipping when he was 74 (1996). By the time he was 76, he had full blown dementia / Alzheimers. He was highly obsessive compulsive, stopped talking, and was merely the physical shell of the man who raised us. There was no recognition of any of us, no acknowledgement, no responsiveness. Just a vacant, empty stare into the distance. Only once in the final three years of his life (he died at 79) did he actually say anything to me. He said "I want out of here". I am convinced his mind was at work and he knew exactly what was happening to him - but he could no longer translate those thoughts into physical actions. As a family we cried and agonized over his fate. One brother wishing that Canada permitted euthanasia, and me arguing that despite the horrible nature of Dad's condition, it is part of the human condition and that we had no right to end his life despite. Needless to say, I had a falling out with my brother for a period of time (thankfully we got over our differences of opinion). But I question my position today. Dad ultimately died of pneumonia brought on by the loss of his autonomic functions - he inhaled rather than swallowed food and this brought on the pneumonia. Perhaps there was a better way for him to die with dignity.

There are no easy choices in life. No matter what choices one makes, there is liable to be after the fact second-guessing. Minimizing suffering is about the only real action we can take for our parents even though we may feel it is not enough.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sister at this most difficult of times.

[kocook]

Dean,

Sorry to hear about your mom and very happy to hear about Pam's new opportunity. Let me know if you think there is anything I can do for you. Unfortunately, I will not be able to head up to Lufkin while you are there as I will be traveling elsewhere that weekend. But, you are welcome to head south and get my truck.

[Biff's R]

Dean,
Great to hear about the new opportunity for Mz. Pam(even if it will probably mean that you get fewer pies). Sorry to hear about your mom.

Be careful on the road.

[Promethean]

Dean,
I hope everything works out for you.

[NakedRider]

Dean,

I'm so very sorry to hear about your mom. Don't worry about the meds. That's what hospice does and they're by and large great at it. Just went thru this with my step-dad before Christmas. Hospice even provided 3 - 8 hour shifts of care so that my mother could get some sleep.

My prayers are with you.

[Deans BMW]

Made it to Lufkin several hours ago, about 1100 miles in all. That CLC did a good job, was able to cruise at an indicated 85-90 almost the entire trip and got about 40-42 MPG, not bad. Any temp above about 35-40F was warm as toast, the hi 20's to mid 30's, you could feel the cold, the face shield on my helmet kept fogging up.

Off to the care center.

[Sir Limpsalot]

As usual the support of all the Cafe regulars is unmatched. It seems to take the worst of situations to bring out the best in friends. I hope all go's well Dean.

Simon.

[jamming]

Dean, take care. Terrie and I are thinking of you and your family.

[FryDaddy]

Dean, glad you arrived safely. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Terry

[Deans BMW]

Thanks for all of your support, truly, it means more than you realize.

Todays meeting at the care center went extremely well, and later this evening we were informed that the protocals have officially been changed to our exact wishes. My sister and I can rest easier now and Mom will be pain and anguish free.

Let me tell you that this is not easy, but something that a lot of us have to deal with at one time or another.

[DarthRider]

Dean, you're a good son to a good Mom.

[Griffon]

I lost someone to pancreatic cancer a few years ago. It was very hard to be there in the last weeks. About the only thing that helped was the faith that somehow, she knew how much she was loved. The last day, we all took turns telling her it was ok to go. She was a good friend and a caring mother, and she probably was worried about all of us. That was hard, I can only imagine what you're going through with your mom. It's a blessing you're getting a chance to say goodbye.

Be well, Dean!

[Deans BMW]

Good morning all. Apparently the new liquid med fed with an eye dropper directly into the mouth does the trick. You can see an almost immediate effect from the meds. A more relaxed peaceful calm seems to engulf her and the barest hint of a smile is presented. Who knows what is really going on but she seems peaceful and that is a good thing. In a couple of hours time to start the treck back to the mountains of Arizona.

Thanks again for all the good wishes and support.

[ROUNDEL]

Dean, sorry to hear about your mom. glad the visit went well, be safe heading back!

[supermotoC]

My friend, I know what a tug-of-war you are going through, I lost my Mum in 2004 to the big C, and it was not a fun trip (for any of us). Making her comfortable is the only thing humane we can do, and after that.......
Be safe, make your peace with the world as it is, and enjoy the beautiful (but chilly) ride home.

[Capt. Blackadder]

Good morning all. Apparently the new liquid med fed with an eye dropper directly into the mouth does the trick. You can see an almost immediate effect from the meds. A more relaxed peaceful calm seems to engulf her and the barest hint of a smile is presented. Who knows what is really going on but she seems peaceful and that is a good thing. In a couple of hours time to start the treck back to the mountains of Arizona.

Good news, and a safe return trip, Dean. :thumb:

[Tassie Devil]

Seems like a satisfactory result Dean..
You must be comforted by the professionalism of the carers..

Have a safe return home on that very impressive machine of yours..

Cheers,

JQ.

[Deans BMW]

Made it home just a few hours ago, 2400 miles in less than a week..........in the dead of winter......an adventure in the fullest sense, it was 24F this morning in Roswell, NM. when I took off.

That CLC worked like a watch, I kept the cruise control set at 4,000 RPM the entire way home, speedo indicated about 90 MPH and still got 38 to 40 MPG. Heated seat and grips on Hi and Gerbing jacket liner and gloves also on hi made the trip quiet plesent as the sun was out the entire trip with out a cloud in the sky. The bike also burned only about 1/4 of the sight glass of oil. Only about 1/3rd of the trip was on the interstate with the rest on back roads with almost no traffic.

Boy oh Boy it is great to be back home and you guys are the best, thanks again.

[DarthRider]

Welcome home Dean-O!

[BobFV1]

Dean-O - following your story with great interest and respect. You were well prepared and turned the winter ride into a great experience.

So glad your mother is comfortable.

Take care - glad you are safe.

[Arby]

Dean, glad you're home safe & sound. I'm sure your sister appreciated the visit too.

My brother is the primary care giver for my 87 yr old , polio survivor, recovered broken hip, fading memory , but otherwise healthy mother. It's a hugh responsiblity.

You done good.

RB

[NakedRider]

Dean,

I'm glad your trip went so well.

[mrogge]

Sorry to hear of the troubles with your mother. Best wishes to you. It's never easy watching someone you love fade away. Let me know if there's something I can do to help out! Genuine offer . . . not just words.

Your concern for others speaks volumes, my friend. You're destined for greatness. "Saint Hoon" it is!:eusa_clap:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Sure, why not?
I'm glad the trip went well Deano. Now put your feet up for a bit.

Cheers,
Si.