The Friday Forum - April 20

What a week this has been! When I wrote last week's Friday Forum, I mentioned that I was taking my mother to the doctor that morning. Her doctor was alarmed at Mom's condition. After she thought about it for a few hours, the doctor decided that Mom needed to be hospitalized to get a lot of tests done quickly. Because she doesn't have privileges at our favored, close-by hospital (Virginia Hospital Center), we had to get Mom admitted by going to the emergency room. Fortunately, our McLean Fire and Rescue guys were on the case within minutes.

The "emergency department" (they don't call it an ER) started running tests and determined pretty quickly that Mom's blood sodium level was extremely low (among other things). After a few hours of tests and waiting, she was admitted and moved to a room. Once I got her squared away for the night, I left. I went back at 7:00 am the next morning and spent about nine hours/day there for the next few days - leaving for a spell when my sister showed up. Once I returned to work on Tuesday, I was only able to spend a few hours in the afternoon with her. By then, we had her caregiver with her at all times.

Skipping forward, they did a lot of tests that she needed. It would have taken weeks to schedule and get them all done had we gone about it the normal way, so it was good that she was in the hospital. The last test, an echocardiogram, was done Monday, but it took until Wednesday afternoon for the doctors to raise and stabilize her sodium and calcium levels (lots of i.v.'s and Lasix). While Mom was in the hospital, they also gave her i.v. antibiotics for a UTI that has been persistent. I want to mention that the staff was wonderful. They had to work hard with Mom the first few days, and they were tireless.

She was discharged Wednesday evening. Since then, she has slept a lot. I'm still worried because she has zero energy and appetite - just as bad as when she was admitted. I've been talking to her doctor every day, and we'll take her back for a blood test Monday. I'm working hard to try to get her to eat, and I need to get an appetite stimulant prescribed today. I'm hoping that if she eats, her energy levels will increase.

In June, she will be 90 years old, and despite all her illnesses over the years, she has always sprung back. I'm determined that she will this time too. Thank you all for your queries, prayers, and thoughts. They got her out of the hospital, and I'm hoping all those positive vibes will help her improve every day.

Let's talk about fashion today. There was a great article about brand loyalty in yesterday's New York Times. My compliments to the author, Marisa Meltzer! It reminded me of a point in my life when I had to stop living in my favorite brand, Escada. I felt like Escada had divorced me. I went from wanting everything each season to wanting nothing. Why? Because the company did a 180 with a change in ownership. Instead of designing gorgeous clothing for professional women, they started catering to young Hollywood (see photo above). That wasn't me at all. Additionally, they raised their already luxury-level prices to absurd levels - almost overnight. I felt like a jilted lover. How could they leave me behind? I switched to Giorgio Armani, whose modern yet classic styles continue to suit me, and have experimented with many other brands. I no longer browse the Escada racks.

Do you have brand loyalty - or did you ever? Has your brand let you down? Did you grow out of it? Why did you leave? I thought it might be a fun conversation for the weekend.

Naturally, we'll talk about beauty too. We do that in The Friday Forum, our weekly open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

Saturday, I'll meet Kilian Hennessy, of By Kilian. I'm beyond excited. He has two new fragrances, the first introductions of his Asian Tales Collection. They are both gorgeous, and I've got my bottles reserved. I'll report in after my appointment.

I've got two giveaway contests underway, and they both have midnight Saturday deadlines. If you'd like a chance to win Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Prisma Chrome Blush in Apricot Brandy, click here to enter. For a chance to win Calvin Klein's BEAUTY Eau de Parfum, click here. The BEAUTY giveaway is a two-day contest, so don't dawdle.

Photo courtesy of travelblog.viator.com, Escada, and By Kilian