Normal Life

Dear All,

I'm glad to say that life is beginning to sort itself into a new normal around here. Melba is doing very well at most all daily tasks, which most certainly includes reading and writing her own newsy emails. I have cut back on posting here as we have had little official news on the case...the detective called yesterday to say they are continuing to work the forensics. I'm reading between the lines here, but I think they had the guy in for questioning, but he wouldn't acknowledge having robbed the condo, and they didn't have enough evidence at the time to keep him. The local driveway paper ran the sketch again today, with the admonition to keep windows locked up. So much of the crime here in the Foothills is opportunity-driven: open garage doors, unlocked gates, doors and windows. The police love block watch groups, especially the ones that patrol their neighborhoods at all hours.

A condo neighbor came over to Melba's yesterday and when she saw the smallness of the window the robber came through, I think her opinion of the incident changed. She had seen the dining room window (not the kitchen window) in the news video footage and thought, (as did half the Valley of the Sun who watch the evening news) that Meb had been ill-advised to leave 'that' window open. Now she has a different story to tell all her neighbors! I will say, everyone at Toscana Lakeside (especially the single ladies who live on the ground floor) are grateful that large, bright motion detector lights are now installed at 6 or 7 locations around the development.

Many of you will have a higher "high" than we will today....it's 61 degrees, projected to only go up to 66 tomorrow....brrrrrr. Yes, we're weather wimps around here. (86 by Monday...shhhhh!) Happy Halloween, everyone!

A Little Protein Goes a Long Way

Well, I guess there is such a thing as too much protein...or maybe too many antibiotics...or TOO MANY PILLS, as Melba would say. Today wasn't much fun as Meb's constitution wasn't cooperating for much of the day. She got over the hump by dinnertime and was able to tuck into the clam chowder and cheese bread, thank goodness.

I think we will get in some additional exercise tomorrow--that should help keep things moving. Dr. Larry says chewing gum helps kick start the system, so we will try some of that, also (asking forgiveness from all the teachers in the group!). We did go out for a short walk today; need to lengthen it manana.

We hear the 3 kids across the street have already had the swine flu! Glad they will all be healthy by the time we hand over the candy later this month! Regular flu vaccine is in short supply here, and they anticipate the H1N1 will be also. Maybe it's best to just hunker and bunker down? How have you all fared in that department?

Melba is answering some of her email now that the sling is no longer an impediment. Hope you hear from her soon!

U2 May Be A Safety Buffalo

(Just a silly title, which is based loosely on my moniker--in the Conley house I'm the Safety Buffalo and I was raised by one, too.)

Meb's dermatologist was pleased with how her various skin areas are healing up and she found no new areas to pick on, so we happily left THAT doctor's office today! We had a few other misc. errands to run which kept us out for a bit. It's good to get some fresh air and exercise, but we don't want to push the envelope too much, either. It was a lovely day in the Valley of the Sun, BTW.

This afternoon, we talked with Bill, Meb's brother in Cincinnati, and he avowed--had he been in the condo--he would have saved the city of Phoenix the cost of lockup or trial of the perp. Believe in Uncle Bill, as he is a retired Cinci. Police Sergeant! We hear similar sentiments from our retired SM Co. law enforcement friends and a semi-retired FBI nephew/cousin! Bad guys, watch out!!

If you want to get a rise out of Meb, ask her about Frontline's documentary on derivatives tonight! Whoa!

Wednesday is a doctor-appointment-free day--yipee. Hope the same goes for y'all!

The Ex-Californian, Dr. Farber

Good news from the bone doctor--Meb can leave her sling off and use her left arm as much as is comfortable for her. No swinging from the monkeybars, though. He will see her in 3 weeks and do another X-ray to check healing progress. She might try typing a bit more now that she has that clearance.

We cruised Costco for a few minutes before heading home. Not much on our wish list but there's always something to look at and it provided an opportunity for low key exercise. The lentils served by the kiosk lady were yummy!

Also stopped by the condo to check out the alarm system. You'll be glad to know we didn't 'trip' it...Jerry says it makes an ungodly amount of noise. As advertised, it's very easy...just two clicks of the 'fob' to arm and disarm both the motion sensor and the window and door sensors.

Tomorrow is for the dermatologist...a checkup on how the removal of spots on her face is progressing. The bruises are really fading (turning that lovely shade of yellow) so she should expect to look much better in the mirror shortly.

2-4PM is frequently nap time now...post-lunch the house gets quiet and all God's critters get some additional rest. We're hearing this experience has produced ripples...more of you and yours are taking extra precautions with your safety...and we're glad of it. Fondly, Cynth

Kona's Under Meb's Feet...Again!

Kona has been a bit of a pest, bedding down by Meb's feet most of today. Or she's barking for someone to throw her the pink frisbee out in the yard. We think she continues to miss her pal, Roxy the Boston Terrier, who as some of you know, departed for the rainbow bridge after her recent encounter with a rattlesnake in the back yard. We all miss her, indeed.

Tomorrow we go to the orthopedist regarding how Meb's shoulder is healing up. She's been very good about keeping it immobile in the sling and not using her left hand very much. It's one of those injuries that just takes a long time to knit up. She's not looking forward to Physical Therapy but she knows that's a part of getting the arm and shoulder back to normal.

We'll be an hour ahead of you CA folks in a week...daylight savings time begins on 10.25...and an hour closer to the East coasters! Thanks again for your nice cards and notes...they've been looked over more than once by our patient patient.

Brats and Conversation

We did the predictable thing after a very satisfying lunch of mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and brats--we slept! Ute made the trip down from Fountain Hills, bringing flowers and food and we tucked into it like we hadn't eaten for a while...the food, not the flowers! It was good to see a familiar face from the old country (CA) and we shared lots of conversation.

Walgreens finally produced a Silver Sulfadiazine cream for Meb's skin tears; they're healing slowly but we're glad to have an additional weapon to fight off infection. No more Percocet! It plays havoc with one's digestive system, and she doesn't really have that kind of pain right now.

Yes, AZ's having record heat for October ...but thankfully cooler temps are on the way and we'll be able to spend more time on the patio, maybe even take a few walks around the 'hood.

Just saw a news report about a local Ahwatukee woman who went out and knocked on 50 of her neighbor's doors last evening, gathering phone numbers and emails so they could get to know and alert each other if there were suspicious occurrences in their area. Appears some good will sprout from Meb's experience! Security system's a "go" and the motion sensor lights were put up by the condo manager today.

Thanks so much for all the cards...Meb received a whole fistfull today and she sure enjoyed hearing from everyone.

Meb, a few years ago, in L.A.

Despite the heat, we wanted to get out of the house today, so drove over to the hospital to pick up X-rays for the orthopedic MD's review on Monday. Stopped by Costco for supplies, including a very berry sundae...! We had a healthy dinner of lamb chops, potato salad and greens...plenty of protein to help bones reknit. Kona, the Vizsla dog, had her first teeth cleaning at the vet's today...no cavities and no extractions. Vet's instructions included keeping her inactive for 12 hours following the procedure...Hah! After a fun-filled and very funny video chat with the grandgirls, Meb went off early to bed. Hello to all from Melba and the Conleys!

Alarming...on Saturday

Here's the GE Security System going into Meb's condo on Saturday morning. No worries about phone lines being cut, as it doesn't rely on a land-line. Also, Jerry and I can check the system remotely over the internet and see if it has been armed for the night. If not, we can set it from our computer! It can email or text our cell phones regarding irregularities and it can be armed with the 'fob' which is much simpler than keying in a numeric code each time to set or disarm.

There will be sensors on all the doors and windows, and a motion detector. Pets wouldn't set off the motion sensor so long as they are under 40 lbs. (it has to do with the amount of body heat being generated by the animal). They give us a week to learn the system before the alarms become 'real.' Hope it doesn't take us that long to become proficient!!

Nip/Tuck....not really ;)

The Physician's Asst. was in a good mood...was it because she's getting married this weekend? Or because Melba's stitches came out so easily with a good result? The one incision is kind of long, so she has to treat it very gently (no loofah scrubbing!), and we will return in two weeks to make sure all is healing as it should.

Here's a handy tip: take a digital camera around your house and photograph every serial number or identifying mark of any valuable item and then post those same photos to a gmail or hotmail or some other email account which resides off your computer. That way, if your computer and/or other items go missing, you'll have a visual record which is always accessible to you or to the detective investigating your case! (We wish we had done this for Meb's flat screen TV and digital camera.)

As always, thanks for your emails full of good wishes and thoughts and prayers for Melba and the family. We are taking each day as it comes and trying to live life as normally as possible. Her doctor suggested boosting protein intake and zinc as aids to the healing process, so we went right out and had an In and Out Cheeseburger!

The sketch hit the media outlets this evening, so we will see if it generates any leads. The detective on the case called several times today with follow-up questions, so it makes us feel the police are still very much involved and active. The new wireless security system (on all doors and windows) will be installed in her condo on Saturday, thanks to Jerry's contact, Levi. It arms and disarms with a 'fob' and is wireless so cutting the phone line would not defeat the alarm. We can also 'set' it over the internet from our house. (Wish I was a 'techie' and not a 'tech-tard'...)

The Dr. visit produced another round of antibiotics (just to be on the safe side) and silver infused dressings for the skin tears, which are healing. We'll see him again in a week and hopefully they'll have more flu vaccine by then. Tomorrow morning we go to the plastic surgeon's office for stitch removal from the nose and cheek. Meb will look and no doubt feel 100 times better after that is over!

Melba was pretty tired after the above, so if we didn't return a phone call, please bear with...we're looking forward to Ute's visit on Saturday. She's bringing brats and we're buying the BEER!

nuff said...

Good Morning

Yes, it's a lovely morning in Phoenix and while Meb got a good night's rest, she's sneaking in a little cat nap now, too. Thank you all for your nice notes and good thoughts on her behalf. She's read every one. It's interesting that--among our friends-- she is not the only elder who's been targeted. Check with your local police to see if they will evaluate the safety of your elder's residence and surroundings (thanks, Gayle!).

Our snail mail is 14031 S 12th Place, Phx, AZ 85048 for some who've asked. Melba's USPS mail will shortly be forwarded to our address as well.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow should be a better day--Melba will hopefully sleep through the night with a sleep aid and we will check in with her primary care doctor for a general going-over, flu shot and whatever else he can come up with to speed the healing process.

Many thanks to those who called or wrote emails today...the good words are all appreciated by Meb and by the family. She is a strong gal--a Marine after all--and we are encouraged by her attitude and her continuing cooperation with the Phoenix Police Dept. (They are 'still working the case,' per the lead detective.)

Our thoughts go out to those of you battling the storm and flooding in NoCA...and those in SoCA who are at the mercy of mudslides. Take care and be safe.

There is a bit of conversation between Melba and Heidi about how Meb is doing at this website. Cut and paste the link below (or type it) into your browser and then click on "Voicemail 10/13."

http://drop.io/noniesminaz

Forensic Sketch

The Forensic Artist is here and doing a sketch of the suspect with Melba's input. He is very talented (they caught the Baseline killer partly based on his sketch), and it is going very well, I think. Thanks for all your notes and good wishes. It's hard for her to type so I will fill in as secretary. Perhaps later today we'll be able to get some emails out to you all. Otherwise, we'll continue updating here. (Thanks to Kona's yip- yiping at the coyotes at different times of the middle of the night, Meb didn't sleep very well, so she may do some napping today to catch up on sleep!) We will visit the condo later today so she can get some things; it will appear entirely normal, as Jerry did a great job of putting everything back. She knows, and we will continue to emphasize, she doesn't need to go back there to live if she does not feel safe. She can stay with us now and forever, if she wants. We spent some time outside by the pool this morning, enjoying the good weather. Hope to do some more of that this week!

The sketch is done and will go out to the media very soon. The detective on the case is waiting at the condo unit to begin showing it around the neighborhood. She's glad it's done and is 80% confident a good rendering was produced!

Melba Is Doing Well

The title says it...Melba is doing well...that's the thought to hold firmly in mind as you read this...

On Saturday night, 10/10, Melba suffered a home invasion/burglary. At 10:30pm she was in her bedroom, watching TV and the computer, when a thug crept in and put his hands around her throat and dragged her out of her chair to the bed. She screamed and screeched, struggling against what must have been his knee in her back, and his hands. At some point he said he would stop if she would not scream, and that's what happened. He had entered through her kitchen window (which was open a few inches but was not secondarily secured), stepped into the sink and disabled the kitchen wall phone before going to the bedroom.

The short story is that she was either facing away from his activities while sitting on the couch, or in the second bedroom with the door closed, while he ransacked through the condo. He told her to stay in the 2nd bedroom for 1/2 hour. She had no way to tell time, but when she felt the place was quiet, she did leave, and went to the only lit window in her condo area. These neighbors cared for her and called the police and rescue squad. The thief had taken her cell phone so she and her helpers had to wait until we arrived home to get ahold of us. Once there, we all waited for the police to take her statement as to description and course of events and I then took Meb to the Emergency Room for X-rays and treatment. Her left collar bone is broken and bruised and she has skin tears on 3 limbs. Six hours of ER later, we left and came back to the Conley's for Rest and Recuperation...and a sleeping/pain pill!

Jerry spent Sunday putting the condo back together (no real damage, just lots of things tossed around) and taking inventory. The car was missing, along with cell phone, camera, gold necklace and new TV/antenna. Later on Sunday, the car was found in the parking lot of the apartment complex around the corner and we retrieved it after forensics was done lifting evidence (we hope). (The Phoenix police did hours of forensics on the condo and car...they have been very thorough and professional.) The suspect was a 30 something African American, not much taller than Melba, with stocky build and nondescript clothing and wearing gloves. He spoke with some kind of a southern accent. We hope she can give more detail to a forensic sketch artist tomorrow.

Fortunately, the stitches from her plastic surgery (multiple cancer spot removal last Monday) were not displaced during the struggle but she did acquire some new bruises on her face and body. We have daily upcoming appointments with various doctors, but the ER visit did confirm all her blood work was good and also her EKG. Her tetanus is now current and she'll get her flu shot shortly, too.

She will be here with us for some time to come, so you can reach her here at our home phone, via her email, or you can leave comments here, if you wish. She will no doubt have good and bad days ahead as she faces the long term physical and emotional effects of this kind of traumatic event, but we want you to know we are taking good care of her and will keep this blog up to date.

The Phoenix media did a full court press on her gated condo development tonight and the lead message was, even though the weather is turning cool, be sure to secure your home and don't leave windows or doors open or unlocked...wise words to all of us. While we don't know when or whether Meb will return to the condo, it will shortly have a security system installed.

I hope I have sent this message to all who would want to know, but I will probably miss some, so please pass this blog address to her friends. She is up, eating, drinking plenty of water and taking those occasional daytime cat naps to supplement a mostly good night's sleep.

Love to you all, Cynthia