I was right smack in the middle of a McRib inspired purview of holiday season gone bachelor when mom called me last night.
She wasn’t feeling well, she said. She needed to go into the ER, she told me. My mother is all of four foot and eleven inches worth of Italy’s finest. She doesn’t send out signals for help, unless help is an imminently needed thing. So when she went there, I went blank. It takes a lot to leave me speechless, but she’s my mother and so she still has that way about her when it comes to silencing me.
We arrived in the ER at 9 o’clock last night, after which my world went slow motion. I spoke with a myriad nurses who threw question after antiseptic question at me. Save for the ER doc who knew her stuff and tricked a pow wow with me and the sisters into further tests, because she had a feeling going on.
My mother was experiencing the onset of a stroke when she called me. I think we got to it on time, but the next few days are going to be delicate propositions. Inside these moments, I gotta admit. I’m feeling small to the weight of my everyday existence.
And I’m slightly punch drunk, being as how I’ve been up since six am yesterday. I’m too afraid to sleep but I have to get some. Mom is currently resting and I’m waiting until I feed the cat to hit the pillow for a couple hours.
I came on here because I didn’t want to call my kids, who are having a time of it in New Mexico. They come back Monday, and I’m hoping Monday comes with great news out of the trying hours. I didn’t want to call my friends because they’re still hoisted up inside the holiday season, and besides, they can’t do a damned thing about it, anyway.
Pop is well taken care of. I went over there this morning and cooked him up a couple days worth of grub. Two hours thrown to cooking, and it was bliss.
So you’re it. The bloggers I know from out there. The strangers I call friends. You get my punch drunk call in the middle of the afternoon. And I’m not asking for anything more than a thought, a prayer, a simple wish.
I didn’t know where else to turn right now.
Comments on: "Good thoughts" (24)
Dude, if there’s anything at all i can do for you (no idea what that might be, but still…), let me know.
Same!
Hey man, this comment was the something you could have done for me. And so much more. Thank you for this. I really needed it right about now, let me tell you.
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s scare. I am sure that she is in good hands and they caught it early. Especially if she could speak coherently when you brought her to the hospital. I think slurred speech is one of the signs along with left side weakness, but I’m no expert.
My prayers are with you Cayman. You will have to rest or you will get sick and will be of no help to anyone.
My dad came out here two years ago and we drove him right to the hospital after he was up all night. My mom had been up with him but they didn’t wake us. He was in congestive heart failure. After a week they released him on Christmas Eve and was our Christmas miracle.
It has been two years and he still walks his collie twice a day!
I will say a prayer for another miracle….
Hang in there Cayman…
Colorado, thanks doesn’t begin to express my gratitude for your comment and thoughts. Thankfully, no miracle was needed. She was taken from our hospital to Thomas Jefferson in Philly for their expertise in neuroscience. Happy to report she is now resting (Yes, really resting) comfortably at the house.
That is great news!
Hey, I was just over at your place!
Yes, it IS great news. And since I totally believe in the power of positive energy, I’m placing a good deal of the blame for this great news on you.
Peace and light, Morticia. You’re the best.
Wow! Thanks so much Cayman. I guess every little bit helps!
I just got a call and now my Dad is on his way to the hospital….
Susie,
Let me know what’s happening, please.
I think he broke his shoulder thank the Lord. My brother texted hours ago and said that his vitals were normal, I haven’t heard anything else…. We thought he was having a stroke or heart attack. Life can be so precarious…Thanks Cayman!
A broken shoulder is nothing to scoff at, but I’m thankful right along with you. I was gonna give you my number just so’s you could keep me updated. That would’ve been my blog first. Keep us updated anyway. Best to you.
Thanks so much Cayman. I really appreciate your friendship! No news is good news….
You’ve got mail. Let me know how things are going on your end, please.
I don’t have to tell you that all of us here at the Furnace have you and your Mom in our thoughts and prayers. We are confidentthat she will have a speedy recovery and agree with Susie thatyou do indeed need your rest. Please keep us updated on her progress.
Fantasy Man- You’re a home run/touchdown/overtime goal/three at the buzzer…all rolled into one. Mom is good. We drove her home from Philly yesterday evening and she gets to rest (really rest) for the first time in days. I think we’re all gonna rest a little easier today. Thank you, pal.
Great news Cayman! Happy for you both!
Happy New Year, Fantasy.
Strokes are scary things. I just went through this with my mother (I even blogged about it in 3 parts because it was so crazy-involved.) We’re still dealing with the after-effects, and it is not easy, especially when the patient is stubborn and in denial (my mother, not yours). One valuable bit of intel I got out of this whole experience is to not forget to take care of myself, so I pass that on to you. Take care of yourself.
4am- I agree wholeheartedly with the taking care of myself part, which I do. I quit the smokes in April, started eating better (McRib nights aside, cause I do allow myself some fun), got serious about a running regimen and I take a low dosage aspirin every day. Thank you so much for this comment and for your thoughts. It means a lot.
Well I’m late to the party (as usual ) but I’m happy to hear all is good on the Mom front. When it comes to our parents gettin ill we often times realize we have convinced ourselves that they will be with us forever…cuz we’ve depended on them for so long…and hey, who else in the world loves us like our Mom does…warts and buggers and all! I have an 86 year old wonder woman of a Mom and I pray every day she maintains her health and happiness…she is always on my side…my fan club even when I fail…. And so, I send happy congrats that all is well again. Now go call your Mom and tell her her again she’s the fairest of them all.
Toodles.
Better yet, I’m heading over to mama’s house now. I’m agreement with ya on all counts, ‘Bama. Happy New Years to you, lady.
First off so sorry to have read this post way after the fact, had I known about it sooner I so would have instantly sent you a prayer, a wish and a virtual hug. I know your mom is doing much better now, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t send you some positive vibes for some great rest and recovery and a prayer and wish. Hope you’re doing better as well, my friend, because I know how scary it is to have parents in the hospital, so I send you some good vibes too.
Guat- Positive vibes are always a good thing, and many thanks for your words and thoughts.