October 16th
“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 20 degrees, Calgary 22 degrees, Mesa 30 degrees”
A wonderful sunny fall day.
The past couple of days have reminded us that aging isn’t for the faint of heart. Yesterday turned into an unexpected marathon at the emergency room for Jackie and Audrey, stretching all the way until 4 a.m. After two units of blood, Audrey was finally discharged — exhausted, stabilized, and carrying a new list of medical questions that now need answers.
The doctor did his due diligence and wanted a quick visit to the emerge. Severe anemia can spiral into all kinds of complications if ignored, and he made sure Audrey understood the urgency of taking care of herself. Now begins the investigative phase: Why did her levels drop so low? The possibilities range from internal bleeding to medication interactions — especially with cancer treatments — to something as simple as inadequate dietary intake. My hope, and frankly my best guess, is that it’s the latter. If diet is the culprit, that’s the easiest fix of the bunch.
Despite the long night, Jackie was up early this morning and off to work. I’m certain she’s running on fumes. She’s always been the type to push through, but this is one of those moments where pushing isn’t the answer. She needs rest, fuel, and a bit of stubborn self‑care. I know her eating habits also, and if it weren’t for the suppers I cook, she could easily end up facing the same issue. Food really is the fuel that keeps the machine running — and when the fuel runs low, the whole system suffers.
On my end, I’ve made some changes too. With my own calorie reduction plan, I’ve started using AI to help structure my breakfast and lunch — balancing protein, starches, and carbs so I don’t shortchange myself. Supper remains our “real meal,” a healthier home‑cooked option that still feels like proper food. It’s not fancy, but it’s balanced, and it keeps us both on track.
Amid all this, I finally have a Mesa plan. It’s not the plan I wanted, nor the one I originally built, but after doctor appointments, regulations, timing conflicts, and about twenty revisions, we’ve landed on something workable. And of course, life decided to add one more twist: our medical system only allows 90‑day supplies, and I need more. That means either spending more money or finding a less expensive flight back in February or March to reset everything.
It’s a reminder of how complicated travel becomes when medical needs enter the picture. Insurance rules, travel insurance gaps, medication limits, regulations, and scheduling — none of it is designed for people who want to live normally while navigating health realities. We need change in these systems. We need something more flexible, more human, and more conducive to planning a life that doesn’t revolve around bureaucratic hoops.
But for now, we adapt. We adjust. We keep moving forward — one appointment, one meal, one plan revision at a time.
I thought we had finished golf in Canada but Jeff & Wendy want one more go at on Tuesday. Whilst only 12 degrees ( Wednesday is 16 ) it still should be ok. I am looking forward to it. It was so much fun seeing Jeff play like he can and enjoying it at Claresholm so another good outing will cap off teh year for him.
