Mom is OK!

Well, thanks to modern science, one very kind cardiologist and a gazillion thoughts and prayers from ya'll, Mama Iva has successfully emerged from her crisis. She had 75% blockage in her front artery and was given another stent so she should be good to go for awhile. (Doc is going to keep an eye on a loose valve though.) We are at her Long Beach home right now and she is napping in the next room as I type. Yay!

I have purposely posted a photo of Mama Iva here with my dear friend, Susie, who I was originally going to hang with this weekend in Aspen (she was flying in from LA). Susie, an amazing force of nature who was originally my brother's friend (I stole her), talked to me out of my tree numerous times on Thursday and assured me that our Aspen adventure was no comparison to the needs of my mother. When I'd told Susie that my mother didn't want me to cancel my plans, Susie deadpanned: "Well, you tell your mother, I don't care what she wants. You need to go down there and be with her."

She was right, of course. I did and I was, and I am. In a flurry of packing, driving, parking, checking, sleeping and shuttling, I managed to get to her home just in time to take her to St. Mary's Hospital. Before they rolled her in, Mom squeezed my hand and said, "I'm glad you're here."

I couldn't possibly thank you enough for all the kind words, thoughtful emails and wonderfully supportive phone calls - I was very moved. I especially love the straight-talk voice mail of HDW: "Okay, then. If you need to cry, you know where to go - you got the number." BIG LOVE in all general directions, people.