Mother's Comfort

Some years ago when my daughters were very young, I was stricken with an illness. I had thought I would go and 'sleep it off' as sleep is usually the best medicine. The next thing I remember was my sweet Mother there, wiping me down with cold, wet washcloths. I must have fallen asleep again, for the next thing she was there again, trying to coax me to have a sip of chicken broth. I drifted in and out of consciousness as my body fought whatever it was that afflicted me. Finally I woke and sat up. Mom was right there, dozing in the chair she had brought in to sit near me. She soon woke and looked so happy to see me finally awake and alert.

Apparently, I had been in and out of consciousness for nearly a week. After the girls discovered that Mom wouldn't wake up, they called Grandma, who came over immediately and took charge. 

Mom told me that at times the fever had been very high, and that was when she would bring the cold compresses. Of course my sweet mother knew just what to do, and I was just fine. My body fought diligently and Mom was there to save the day.

What I remember most is the feeling each time I woke, and Mom was there. That comforting feeling of love and peace and safety that I've only ever felt from my Mom, that no matter what, everything will be alright. 

I have no idea what virus attacked my body. I have always suspected West Nile Virus, though have no proof that it was or wasn't. I am just grateful that the girls had the presence of mind to call Grandma and that my Mom was there to take care of us. 

Yellow Jackets of Doom

Several years ago, Van and I went to a Civil War site in Port Gibson, Mississippi (http://www.grandgulfpark.state.ms.us/).  In the cemetery portion of the park, I went into a small fenced in area to take a picture of what appeared to be a small child’s grave. A huge swarm of yellow jackets came at me…so I ran. I was a pretty good distance from the road. I was running as fast as I could, downhill… jumping over large tree roots, rocks, tombstones… in a desperate effort to escape being stung horribly. I finally made it to the road. When I jumped over the railing into the street, the yellow jackets gave up their chase and went back to their nest/hive. Only after I caught my breath and marveled at being able to escape the yellow jackets… I realized that the entire time I was running from the insects of doom… Van was yelling “Run, Kathleen, Run!!”

Mamatoo in the Hospital

My maternal grandmother passed away in March 1986.

My maternal grandmother was admitted to the hospital (military hospital at Keesler AFB in Biloxi) on February 14, 1986. My Mom stayed with Mamatoo the month she was in the hospital. Daddy drove me to Biloxi on the weekends to visit Mom and Mamatoo during this time.

On one of the visits, one of the doctors was in the waiting room explaining to us (I believe my aunt, uncle and cousins were there with Mom and Dad and myself) how much blood my grandmother had vomited up during the previous night (a large amount). One second I am listening to the doctor talk and the next, I am laying on the ground with everyone standing over me. The first thing I remember hearing was the doctor saying, "Just let her lay there, she will be OK in a few minutes".

Going in to see Mamatoo was very difficult. To see her laying there with all those tubes attached everywhere and the machines beeping. She had a tube going down her throat, so she couldn't talk. Her eyes looked so sad. Her hands were so swollen and puffy.

On one of the visits, Mom showed us the room she was staying in at the Base Guest House. It was really nice. She then took us on a tour of the base. A bowling alley, restaurants here and there, various parks. Everything was so nice and so clean!

On another visit, we all went to eat dinner at Shoney's. I thought it was really cool that there was a restaurant right on the beach. After we had finished dining, we went for a walk along the shore.

September 9, 2008

Today I had my follow-up with the Pulmonary Clinic. The results from the Venus Dopplar Ultrasound were good. I was told to return in six months for another x-ray of my lungs.

I woke with a headache this morning and it has lasted with me all day.  Also, I noticed that I am still stammering at times.. and at other times.. its hard for me to form words.

Also, my neck is still really stiff. Has been like this for over a week now. (Like a really bad crick in my neck al the time).   I am still really dizzy and light-headed at times. Just repetitious movement (like Kaylan tapping or mom patting on me makes me feel woozy). Nevermind windshield wipers, getting up too fast, bending over, turning my head too fast, etc).

After the doctors office,  Mom and I then dinner at Piccadilly in Cortana Mall. I had chicken fried steak and mom had fried catfish.

The cable guy is supposed to be here in the morning, to install Digital cable!!  yahayyyyy!!!!!    

I started reading the book "River Road"  by JoAnn Ross today. I think it will be a fairly interesting book.

October 11, 2002

October 11, 2002

Today the girls and Mom and I went to her old boss and picked up her last paycheck from him, then to the bank and cashed her check. The next stop was Citiplace Theaters and inquired about the Movie Tuck everlasting and Harry Potter. Tuck Everlasting is a limited release and is not playing anywhere in the Baton Rouge area, and they don't know when it will be playing. Harry Potter will come out November 15th.

We then went to Joe's crab shack and had lunch. I had the penne pasta with shrimp and lobster sauce, Kris had the crawfish ettuffe, kaylan had the child's plate  fish and chips and Mom had crab stuffed shrimp. For dessert we had the deluxe brownie, with brownies, m&ms, caramel and chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. It was really good.  We also had the bananas foster.. vanilla icecream folded in crepes with bananas and caramel and chocolate sauce drizzled over.

After eating, we went to TJMaxx and looked around, primarily for a bag for the back of Krissie's wheelchair. Didn't find a bag, but did find a few dresses I really like. I hope to go back when I have some more money. Oh and a nifty little book set. they only had 2 of the set, though, so I wrote it down, and will do a search to see if I can find the complete set.   A Series of Unfortunate Events written by Lemony Snicket.

We then went to Tinseltown theater and watched the movie Sweet Home Alabama. It was soo good! We laughed and cried and laughed some more. 

After the movie, we went to the Mall of Louisiana and watched the circus act. It was really good and each of the girls received an autographed poster of the high wire guy. He didn't even have a net underneath, and was the equivalent of 7 stories high.  After the circus acts.. Mom and Kris went down to Dillards and I took Kaylan to ride the merry-go-round.  We then sat on the sofa in the center court of the mall and waited for Mom and Kris to come back so that we could come home.

I have discovered that I am not yet ready for large groups of people. Having all those people about made me feel so sick to my stomach, and quite disoriented. It was NOT a fun experience. A few times I felt myself start to go into a daze and somehow managed to pull myself out of it. I am not sure what this means, but I don't want to alarm anyone.

Tomorrow Kaylan is to dance with her dance class at the St. Isidore Octoberfest. She doesnt have to be there until tomorrow afternoon, so in the morning, we will have school, since the girls skipped class today.

.

October 9, 2002

I went back to the hospital today for what I thought was going to be a neurologist appointment, and instead saw family physician, a female doctor. She seemed to know exactly what she was talking about. Said my headaches and stiff neck are probably from stress .. worrying about what is wrong with me. I was sent for blood work, a full work-up, and a catscan of my head with dye contrast. Was able to get all of that completed today, so I wont have to return until my next appointment on October 16. She did say that I will have an EEG done as well, and that will be sometime in November, I don't know the exact date yet.  The doctor also said that it is illegal to drive in the State of Louisiana for 6 months after having a seizure. So I have 6 months from August 25th, which will be February 25, 2003.  Kaylan's Birthday!

Mom and I went by her old bosses busines today, and he said to come back on Friday and he will have the remainder of the balance he owes her then. 

 I am so proud of the girls. When we got home, they were both so busy sitting at their desks doing their schoolwork.

Because of the rain, the girls did not go to their Youth Group activities at church tonight.

I talked on the phone with an old friend for quite some time tonight. We had a nice conversation, and it was nice to catch up with each other again! 

August 22, 2002

The girls and I went to Hattiesburg, Mississsippi for the day. We left around 6:30 am, and arrived around 9:30 am. We stopped at the Hardy's in Columbia and had breakfast. I then went in the Wal-mart to buy film so that I would be able to take pictures during the visit.

Amanda (Susan) Uncle Sam and I went up to Forrest General Hospital to see Uncle Shorty. He thought I was Lila (Mamatoo). Uncle Sam told him no, that I was Audrey's daughter. Uncle Shorty then said that I looked just like Lila.

We went and picked up Shari on the way back to the house. The girls and Shari really enjoyed their visit.

Aunt Alice showed Kris how to knit.  Kris was really tickled about that.

Around 3pm we left to meet Jim and Sheri at Hardy's for dinner. We sat and visited for about an hour and a half, then headed for home. I drove to just south of McComb, then got on the interstate (I-55 south) and stayed on interstate until the exit that took us to Clinton, LA. We arrived home around 9pm.