Lunch today at the TechRanch

by on May 18, 2006

I'll be over at the TechRanch in Bozeman today at about 11 a.m. and then we'll be going out to lunch with a bunch of geeks from Montana State University. It'll be nice to get a break from taking care of mom.

My brothers and I have decided to go back to our lives tomorrow. My mom is in good hands with her sister and the hospice. She has said goodbye and is resting comfortably. She's getting weaker and is awake less often now.

I think this will be the last time I'll write about my mom. I've said my goodbyes. Now we're just waiting for the inevitable. Yesterday the doctor came over and checked one last time for any improvement in neurologic condition. A speech therapist also visited to see if mom was able to drink on her own. She wasn't. I already knew this. I had tried to give my mom some water and she wouldn't even open her mouth. There wasn't much good news from the doctor who basically said "I'm sorry."

Certainly not enough to consider torturing my mom with feeding tubes and surgeries (she still has a major heart condition which is what dragged her into the hospital in the first place) and other life support that she told us specifically that she did not want if she were in such a situation.

So, another chapter of our lives closes and a fresh page appears before us. Thanks momma for helping us write that chapter of our lives!

If you'd like to come to lunch, call me on my cell phone at 425-205-1921. Thanks!

  • Katie H
    Hi Robert,
    I'm sorry to see that I missed an opportunity to lunch with you today! My visit to see the parents in Big Sky, MT isn't scheduled for another few weeks... I wish you could have had a chance to explore Montana in happier times but I'm glad that you saw the beauty that those of us who were born and raised there have loved from day one. I perked up (as I always do) when I saw pictures of Montana throughout your last week of posts - it's been awhile since I've been back. I live in Seattle now, and I'd love to grab lunch sometime if you're ever downtown! Safe travels back, and enjoy how deserted Montana looks from the air :) My thoughts are with you and your family.
  • 8:30 a.m. Thanks Rick!

    Patrick: I'm sure we'll get you some stickers somewhere. I don't have any with me, though.
  • Patrick Scoble
    Hi dude, umm.... this wekend when you come down could you bring some stickers for my little Apple. I'm taking the plunge. ;)
  • RickG
    Shouldn't be a problem. What time?
  • Actually looks like I won't be able to make it tonight. How about in the morning?
  • Rick, I did and just called you. We'll be there at 8 p.m. tonight if anyone else wants to meet up.
  • David
    At some point we need to move on. Reading your entries about your mom and feelings have really taken me back to the time when my grandmother (my Mom's Mom) went through something similar. It also reminded me alot of the conversations I had with my Mom about saying goodbye to her ailing Mom.

    Thanks.
  • Robert,

    Thanks again for taking the time to talk to us here at Tech Ranch. Your insights on marketing, user interfaces and blogs were very helpful. We will definately look into starting a blog for www.TicketPrinting.com. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your trip here in Montana.
  • RickG
    I'm still up for meeting up in Billings when you come through. I sent my cell # via text message, not sure if you got it.
  • Hey Robert,

    If you have one more night out there, you need to check out this program I came across last night. http://www.stellarium.org Stellarium is an amazing open source program that lets you identify all kinds of planetary bodies. I can only imagine what you'll be able to see out there without all of the light pollution of a big city. I saw Jupiter last night from my house, and all this time I just thought it was a really bright star.
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