Not good

I spent a little time with Napoleon and Caleb today. I wish I had better news to report.

His wife, Randi, is at the Mayo Clinic. She was driven there in an ambulance. Traveling at a regular speed -- without sirens or flashing lights -- it took about 6 hours. She is simply not getting well, not getting stronger. She is cancer free, and the virus that landed her in the ER in the first place is no longer present. Yet septicemia has set in. Why is she so vulnerable to infection? Why isn't she getting stronger?

Caleb says he's not worried, that he's confident that in MN his wife will finally get the care she needs to recover. He is lonely and sad without her. He can drive up on Friday evening and stay with her until Sunday afternoon. Caleb's boss is lending Caleb and Napoleon his "beater" for the drive. I got the impression that they will be spending their nights in the car, but that Napoleon will, without a doubt, be sneaked into the Mayo Clinic. Randi really wants to see "her baby."

I am heartened that the Mayo Clinic is taking the case of a woman who is nearly indigent. She has been ill almost all of 2018. And in March, after her cervical cancer diagnosis and hysterectomy, the surgeon left a sponge inside of her! I am sure that the Mayo Clinic will treat her with greater respect and care. But I worry about how serious her condition must be that her doctors here felt this was the best option.

While we were talking on the street corner, a woman handed Caleb a grocery bag that included individual serving boxes of cereal (his favorite, I learned today) and a pair of popsicles. After she was gone, he asked me if I wanted the popsicles, since he can't have anything that cold. He has a bad tooth.

After lunch, I stopped at Walgreen's and got Caleb a bottle of "oral pain reliever" (liquid benzocaine) and a $20 Visa gift card. I figured he'll need gas money. When I handed it to him, he said that was exactly what he'll be using it for.

Throughout the day, I sent prayers Randi's way. I did not pray for God to make her healthy and whole. Instead, my heart told me to ask that she be comfortable and peaceful. She has been through so much this year! Cough, fever, infection, cancer, surgery and now more surgery ... I pray that she finds relief from pain and stress and fear.

And, of course, I pray for her guys -- Napoleon and Caleb -- who love her so.