Dying of the humanity. About to get in line for Pia Guerra (Y the Last Man artist) and then get the hell out.

Crap. My mom fell and broke her foot. She is alone in a three-story house and largely responsible for my 94-year-old grandmother next door. Fucking hell--i just got back from two weeks there--this had to happen to her after I left?

I'm looking at plane fares now.

More good outcome it's nothing outpatient ma for Beverly, and also for lisah.

My dad continues to confuse doctors, and is now in a third hospital. Apparently each hospital focuses on a specialty so he gets moved around. New doctor at new hospital is going to be speaking to every person who's interacted with my dad and will review all the lab tests and whatnot and wants a few new tests as well. Hopefully they'll find something helpful. On Monday I will start the application for renewing my passport, and will attempt to go visit at the end of August or beginning of September.

Oh man, Kristin. ~ma for you and mom. Cheap plane fare to you too.

d, where is your family, that you need a passport?

Best of luck, Kristin

{{{d}}} and {{{Kristin}}}. Worrying about family is bad enough when they're not thousands of miles away!

meara, my parents live in Nice, France. I was an idiot and let my passport expire in 2005. I wasn't planning to go back to visit them until next year, so I wasn't feeling terribly pressed to renew. With all the passport nonsense, I wasn't sure what to do now. But I think I'm going to go ahead with the expedited process, hope they actually process in 15 days, and if not go stand in line if I have to. I'll feel a lot better with an actual plan; I feel so helpless at the moment. My mom said she thought my dad still didn't want visitors, but I'm really planning to also be there to support her. My brother lives in CA, my sister in FL, and I'm in PA so in person support is a little challenging.

{{{d}}} I hope everything goes okay for you and your mom.

More good outcome it's nothing outpatient ma for Beverly, and also for lisah.

I meant to say this earlier but got distracted. I wish you both nothing~ma.

Just got off the phone with my mom. Her friend Karen has been over all afternoon and is helping her to get everything set up on the main floor. It looks like the break isn't too bad--she's mostly off her feet for 3-5 days and then will get a walking cast. I talked to Karen, and she has promised me that she has time to help out with Mom and Gram this week and will call me if it gets to be too much. So. Not flying home at this point, though that may change. Luckily Mom has a huge support system, so it looks like she's going to be okay. Now if I can just stop feeling guilty about being 3000 miles away when she and Gram need me...

Ah. I'm in Chicago, so I'd suggest just going with the in-person, but I'm guessing they don't have an office near you?

{{{d}}}

Kristin, I'm glad your mom has a good support system around her.

Hey, the passport stuff reminded me: so, like a doofus I let my passport expire. Is taking a day off and going to the office the best way to get it renewed without waiting for weeks and weeks?