TexasCHLforum.com

Thanks to everyone for your prayers. My brothers got her apartment emptied and its contents into storage. Her celebration of life is tentatively scheduled for January 9th, at the Caltech Atheneum, where she was a professor.

There’s 4 different storage units, in 4 different places scattered all over Los Angeles. Everything has to be consolidated in one location, and then my brothers and I have to figure out how to divvy it up, and donate the rest to a charity. It’s going to take about a week to get it all done, and then I’m probably quit of California for the last time.

Estate matters are proceeding smoothly, and I’ve gotten some great advice from my CPA, and also from my mother's financial advisor—who did very well for her.

It will be good to see my brothers and sisters in law again. My wife and son will join me out there for the shindig. My son's birthday will be the next day on the 10th, and my middle brother's the day after that on the 11th, so it should be a good gathering,

Wow professor at Caltech. That is really something. What an honor. Great jeans in your family.

TAM, just now seeing this. We lost my father suddenly about 3 years ago. So sorry for your loss. Just know that it is normal for it to take months to process, and sometimes new things will hit. Just know that there are people in your life that you can and should talk too.

-PTR

THE SAGA CONTINUES…

Well, it’s been an epic 3 weeks. I went to California from 01/08 to 01/16 for the primary purpose of assisting my two brothers in sorting through all of my mom’s possessions and disposing of them appropriately. (Sigh…) Nothing was ever easy with my mom, and this task was no exception. Suffice it to say that I’ll have to go back again in the next couple of months … and maybe a 3rd or 4th time to accomplish what should have been easily handled this time. She still reaches us from beyond the grave.

ANYWHOOO… We got home on Friday the 16th. On Saturday, I began experiencing slight body aches, and my lower abdomen got a little tender…on the right side. On Sunday, I began running a slight fever (~ 101-102°), and the pain on my lower right side got worse. Boldly, I refused to take my wife’s advice and go to an emergency room. “It’s merely a flesh wound!” Finally, she asked what I would do if it were her in my shoes. I didn’t hesitate and said, “I’d drag your behind to an ER!” Defeated by my own logic, we left for the Baylor Scott White free-standing urgent care (so much for logic) in Colleyville at around 9pm Sunday.

They ran a quick CT scan, and surprised me with, “Why Mr. TAM, you have appendicitis.” ….followed by, “We can’t treat that here. You’ll have to get yourself to an actual hospital ER ASAP.” So we left with papers and a CD of the CT scan in hand, and drove to Medical Cities, North Hills. They agreed with the prior assessment, but ran their own scan to verify. I was admitted almost immediately, but they held me in the ER until mid-morning on Monday because there wasn’t a bed upstairs immediately available. The surgery team told me they already had their Monday schedule blocked out, but that they’d squeeze me in toward the end.

That changed PDQ, because they were back in my room 30 minutes later and rushed me down to the OR. Now by this time, I’ve got Dilaudid on board, and I’m no longer processing reality like a champ. I remember the anesthesiologist telling me she was squirting some I don’t give a damn into my IV, but it was already too late for that. I had already parted ways with give a damn about half an hour prior.

I was in surgery for, near as I can tell, about 3 hours. I woke up back in my room an hour or so later. Turns out my appendix had ruptured the night before, and it was the worst he’d ever seen. They kept me for the week, and I got home in time to watch my driveway freeze.

Worst trip to California ever.

Oh my goodness TAM. Praying for your recovery.

Oh man, glad they decided to take care of you instead of being on a schedule.

Take it easy and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Prayers for a speedy recovery and for any further trips to Comyfornia.

The Annoyed Man wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 1:02 pm THE SAGA CONTINUES…

Worst trip to California ever.

At least they didn't remove your sense of humor!

Wow! Sorry for all your medical woes, TAM, and further for the marathon of dealing with your mom's estate down the line. You have my specific prayer for comfort and healing and that you were spared from peritonitis.

Glad you are ok. A fully rupture can turn really bad really quickly.