Caught up with Kathy tonight -- some of you have been in touch or have even been over to the house, so this is perhaps old news ... but I'm happy to say that things are looking up.

Mom's hospice nurse told Kathleen that Mom is not deteriorating but has been consistently improving. As of this past Thursday, Mom is off oxygen -- she is breathing fine and her oxygen saturation is at 97 or 98, as good as you or me. The nurse said Mom's symptoms and signs are not from COVID. Her healing, whether skin or blood vessels (the bruising from all the IV poking is gone), is continuing. In fact, the hospice nurse told Kathy that, legally, Mom no longer qualifies for hospice care. So -- hopefully this week -- Mom will be transferred out of hospice care and Medicare to her own United Healthcare coverage for skilled nursing. This means Mom will no longer be on comfort care but therapeutic and curative care. That is huge. She will qualify for PT and OT. The hope is to get her out of that bed and into a chair, out of PJs and into regular clothes, both of which will help Mom feel more herself and better able to do whatever it takes to keep recovering.

And Mom is chomping at the bit to get things going. She keeps telling Kathy she wants out of that bed. Kathy has told her this needs to be managed carefully, but the first steps toward that goal may be happening this week -- timing is unsure because of tomorrow's holiday.

Meanwhile, Mom's appetite is improving and she is eating more. She has lost weight in these past weeks, but she is getting more and more solid food. Chicken salad, cabbage salad (a family staple), eggs, fresh-squeezed OJ and Jane's cinnamon-swirl French toast. Tom brought over his risotto, which, if you've ever had it, is reason enough to live. Nothing but the best for Mom! 

I spoke to Mom tonight briefly when I called tonight, and man, it is so good to hear that beautiful voice. If you have thought of calling but haven't, I encourage you to follow through. It would feed her spirit, and I bet yours as well.