Bangs McCoy

Things are looking up

Bryan got up early with Rees and made sourdough pancakes for everyone for breakfast. They were excellent as usual. The kids and I watched a movie in the car while Bryan visited with Grandma. Today she has more energy and is more alert. She is still very much herself. She told Bryan she would kill him if he damaged her sourdough starter (it’s been alive for many decades). We were talking about the possibility of her being able to swallow, when she said, “I could swallow if they would just give me something to swallow!”

We had lunch at Fiesta Vallarta in “downtown” Delta. I have to admit that I love this kind of Americanized Mexican food (much like Los Hermanos in Utah Valley). The food was yummy but the portions were enormous.

We picked up our stuff from the ranch and went back to the hospital for our last visit this trip. Grandma was still sleepy, but talking well. Still no movement on her right side. The doctors were hoping for more improvement by now. Tomorrow a speech therapist will visit to determine what she is able to swallow. Maryanne has effectively moved to Cedaredge to care for Grandma for as long as it takes, so we said our goodbyes to her for now as well.

The drive back to SLC was uneventful and nice.

Add comment June 29th, 2008

Delta

We got started later than we planned (shocking!) and thus did not arrive in Colorado until late afternoon. The kids were great during the drive.

The hospital in Delta is small, but very nice - it looks pretty new. We were the first family members to arrive, but Grandma had plenty of company. Her many friends had been keeping a constant watch over her since her arrival at the hospital. She was groggy and unable to move her right side. It was very sad to see her like that. When Bryan’s parents and aunt arrived, the kids were getting a little rambunctious for the ICU, so I took them out for dinner and to a park in Delta to play.

Afterward we picked up Bryan and went to the ranch. Bob stayed at the hospital with Grandma K and sent Maryanne and Anadeane to the ranch with us to get some sleep. Bryan’s cousin Ben also arrived with his little boy William. The mood is definitely somber. Being at the ranch without Grandma just doesn’t make sense.

Add comment June 28th, 2008

Glen Canyon Dam

Today we took a tour of Glen Canyon Dam. Since my dad works for the Feds, he set us up with the “hard-hat” tour! It was really cool. I was still worried about Jamie after yesterday, and my mom had taken the tour before, so she graciously offered to stay up top with him while Rees and I took the tour with the family.

Our guide was great - he let Rees really participate by pushing various buttons, swiping his security badge, and managing the hard hats. We got to see turbines, cranes, the infamous patch of bluegrass, and enter areas of the dam not seen in the “normal” tour. I have lots of pictures, maybe I’ll post them eventually.

We had a picnic lunch on the shore of Lake Powell. Afterward, Dad & Ted went kayaking and my mom and I headed to Monument Valley to find our rooms and let the kids nap. We are staying at Goulding’s Lodge tonight. By the time I got my reservations, the lodge was full, so I ended up reserving a single-wide trailer at the campground. It is awesome. Clean, tons of space, an extra bedroom, full kitchen, laundry, flatscreen TV and DVD player, and wireless internet. Love it! We had a quick dinner at the dining room before heading to bed early.

Add comment March 25th, 2008