January 5, 2011 10:45 PM

A very up and down day!

It began with our trip to Mass Eye And Ear to ascertain what has happened to my eyes over the past month. The verdict? Much improved! So much so that my next visit with this doctor is not for another three months.

But it seems that I can never completely escape. The pressure in my eyes is a little high. It's not caused by glaucoma because the nerves look fine. It's caused from the prednisone that I take to fight off graft vs host disease. The doctor said that stopping the prednisone would immediately return the pressure back to normal. But that is not an option!

End result. I have to go see a glaucoma specialist at the end of the month who is expected to prescribe more eyedrops for me to take. Bring it on is all that I can say to this. I take enough drps as it is that another one won't make any difference.

From Boston it was to my sister-in-law's place and, ultimately, the funeral home. We all had to admit that upon the first viewing the general concesus was that the home did a magnificent job. My mother-in-law looked wonderful. She is going to depart this world looking dignified and like the lady that she was. Emotionally, that initial viewing can be tough, but the preparation effort was so good that it mitigated some of that as we half expected her to rise up and talk.

I have to admit that the wake was held over my mother-in-law's objections(she did not want one). But, she was told beforehand that the wake was for the living and that it was a necessary part of our achieving closure to her departure. It also provided others with the opportunity to pay their respects to her and to relate to the family how much she meant to each of the people who chose to attend. It greatly aided in accomplishing those goals.

Tomorrow is the funeral. It will, once again. be tough and possibly made moreso by the fact that there is nothing left after that. Friday commences day one without my mother-in-law. A lifesyle that we must now adapt to but not one that we must embrace or enjoy. I'll let you know how it works out.

So tonight we saw a lot of family and friends(old and new). I want to thank all of you who came - you support is gratefully appreciated. Why is it that only weddings and funerals tend to bring us all together again? It seems that we let life get in the way of really enjoying one of the greatest benefits that life has to offer by taking the time to interact with friends on a more regular basis.

Shame on us...

Bob