Thread: a Thankyou from MoonStarling & Family..& MORE

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I love you guys--really-- you have no idea....

having a tough day here...I think I am headed for that crash we put off until everything is finally "ok" to have that crash....

Thank you, each and every one of you...YOUR sotries and thoughts mean EVERYTHING to me, really they do

love, Ann

<center>"You sick f***s, you've seen one too many movies." -Sidney
"Now Sid, dont you blame it one the movies. Movies don't make psycho's, movies make psycho's a little more creative." -Billy </center>

Everything can be so frustrating afterwards with insurance and just people in general that just want everything paid for. Try not to let it get to you too much. The hardest part is over and Gomez is home. I've discussed this briefly in another thread, but when I was away at school right before finals and winter break my mom had a brain aneurysm and was in the hospital for a while. Everything went well with the surgery so my dad said to stay at school and take my finals. 2 days after her surgery my grandma died, my mom's mother. So I had to go home. My dad and sister picked me up from school only 3 hrs away, but at 2 in the morning. I had to deal with calling my professors and the dean to tell them and they were nice about it so I had to postpone my finals. After winter break went back to school took my finals, not doing too well cause I didn't care. I then find out my dad has been laid off. I finished the year there and never went back. I decide to go to school close to home and lived at home with my family. Yeah I missed out on some typical college stuff, but I was with my family. Things got pretty tough and it helped my parents out a lot with me being home. I was able to work and pay a lot for school so they didn't have to worry about it.

Too long of a story. All in all, it all works out and everything happens for a reason. I wouldn't be working where I am now, I'm one of the lucky few that got a job right out of college, cause lately that's getting harder and harder.

Just remember Gomez is home now, and you've got a ton of people that love you and will help you.

Mrs. Myers
Purely and simply evil

Moon, I am glad to hear that everything is ok. I am going to do some deep thought stuff here, so I apologize in advance to anyone who finds themselves fighting a migrane headache after reading my post, it's a deep one.

I think that you, like some of us lucky people have been given a reality check of life, how precious it is, how abruptly it can end, and became more appreciative in what is important in life.

I am thankful as well that my life's experiences caused me to be a better me. I think not of wealth, selfishness and greed. I also think that this is bit exceptional to basic maturity standards. While some people mature, and still "never get the real picture" something finally clicks, and life has new meaning.

I think that people that keep their eyes open, placed themselves in other peoples shoes, have come close to death, lost a loved one, observed tragedy, and experienced something dramatically good, or dramatically bad wind up appreciating the "finer things in life"

I worked as a Police Officer for 10 years, I have been an EMT for about 3 years. I have respect for anyone in healthcare, that is in it for the right reasons. I have also learned the harsh reality of life, because in EMS, you not only respond to the tragedy when it is fresh, but you have the portrait of everything surrounding it imprinted in your brain. The scene can be ugly, especially when family members show up, or you see someone that "didn't make it" and have so listen to someone ask you over and over again "did my buddy make it"

I had a pretty bad experience a couple of years ago. Up until then, I had very little appreciation for what was right in front of me. I took everything for granted, I never sat back and thought to myself how lucky some of us are, and how lucky some of us aren't.

I want to share a couple of after the fact reality checks that I had while taking care of patients.

I had a man in the Ambulance one day that was one of the most dignified, caring, articulate people on the face of the earth. We told stories and chucked the whole way to our destination. We talked about Christmas, and how he didn't get everything he wanted for his family this year. I responded "Well, there is always next year" He paused and said "Unfortunately I won't get a chance to do that" He continued to explain to me about the inoperable brain tumor he had, and how he had less than a year's life expectancy. As I did my paperwork, removed his chart for documentation, the information was in black and white. While carrying on with him, I wasn't doing my paperwork. I was glad that this went that way, because we may have responded to each other differently had I have known that right off the bat. Sometimes, we grab the chart, load and go during transfers and don't get all the info we need.

I also recall taking an old woman back to a nursing home (bedridden) to the Altzheimers unit, she was still somewhat oriented at times. It had just begun to snow and as I wheeled her to the ambulance "outside" the snow had landed on her face. She began to cry. I said "honey what is wrong" she responded, "I haven't been outside and felt the snow in a long time" I already knew that she had been in the hospital for SIX MONTHS, but it became clear to me how special something so simple was to someone. I kept her outside so she could feel some more slowflakes.

I don't want to advocate alcohol consumption (lie) LOL, but I managed to get a patients family to get her "one can of beer" because she and I always talked about beer, she died a week later.

As I transport Cancer Patients, sick and dying children, and all the types of horrific dealings in life that some people have been given, there is one thing that is VERY COMMON....... None of these people EVER COMPLAIN. Isn't that strange. I can remember saying "my life stinks, and this isn't fair etc" but these people have embarked upon another type of journey that probably in some way touches them with something positive, even though there is nothing positive about the situation at times.

For me, my problems weren't medical but these people have shared something important with me, parts of themselves, and the new understanding that every day counts, every day is special and life is a tremendous gift.

Moon, you have taken a step back and really looked at what the true meaning of life is. I love the smell of the wind, the sound of the wind, the changing leaves, the friends I have made, a little babbling brook, deep wooded foiliage, the family that cares for me, the good times that rescue me from the bad, everything that about 5 years ago, really seemed to just "happen" but never did I realize how truly wonderful some things are, and none of them can be purchased, bidded on or given away, they are things that are right in front of us all, it's just a matter of who realizes it, before they finally do, and wind up bedridden in a nursing home.

Yesterday, I took a patient on the stretcher to the eye doctor, he has been a stroke victim. A stroke is one of my biggest fears, what a horrible thing to happen to someone.

As his wife tended to him in the office, my partner and I were trying to think of things to pass time.

Like I always do.......I found a stream nearby. I always manage to find something LOL. We sat by the stream, I smelled the decaying leaves, and just listened to the sound of the water. It was a very pretty sight. As my parter's wife just left him, took the kids and walked out the door, this poor guy is working 100+ hours a week, three Ambulance jobs and is ready to just melt. We were talking and I told him that sometimes bad things happen, and sometimes the raw deal happens to someone we know, or even ourselves, and having awareness to what we still have will always get us out of the hole.

Best wishes for everyone.

Screamhaunt

Moon, I'm so glad that everything is okay now and that Gomez is home and doing fine.

I understand what you said about talking to people you don't know. You can learn so much from someone else. Have you ever heard the term "Never met a stranger"? Well, that was my Grandmother. She would walk up to people she had never seen before in her life and start talking to them like she had known them forever. She was constantly bringing home 'strays'. She always introduced them as Cousin Jane or Uncle Bob, they were always adopted into the family. Grammy didn't know these people from Adam and she would bring them home, feed them and clothe them (Grammy was a dumpster diving QUEEN!!) and then send them on their way with some food in their belly and warmth in their hearts. This used to embarass me to no end, I hated going anywhere with her. But years later, I slowly began to understand. People that I don't remember will come up to me and ask who my grandmother was (my looks haven't changed lol) and tell me that she helped them in ways their own families couldn't. She listened, she laughed, and she showed compassion. When they learn of her passing, they truly grieve for the loss of such a wonderful woman. My Mother never meets a stranger either. Again, this used to embarass me but now, as I've gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, I hope that I can be as wonderful as them.

I know you'll have alot to do, taking care of Gomez and the kids, but don't neglect yourself. Remember to take a little time to just relax or you'll get worn out.

One last thing: We LOVE you too!!! Glad you're back with us.


It's only funny until someone gets hurt....THEN IT'S HILARIOUS!!!

SCREAMHAUNT--Thankyou, I needed that this early morn.

I am having more trouble being home then in the hospital and I truly believe it's because I left the 'angels' and gifts of stories & life from perfect strangers behind.

I can't change GOMEZ--I can't make him see that this was a gift another lease on life. I truly hoped he would do some soul searching sitting in that CVICU room ALONE for hours before the surgery, I don't know...Seems he never sees past "what is right in front of him"--
He is pushing himself hard, bored already by sitting, I fear sometimes we will wind up back where we started...I say nothing because this is considered "Biatching or Nagging"--quiet is taking it's toll on me--I shake alot. MY hair is falling out in mass clumps.

I enjoyed your story to me this morning along with Halloweenqun...

I realize I can only do what feels RIGHT to me, I can't change him, it is UP to HIM to see what he is missing....Thank God he is NOT smoking..but him pushing the limits sure as hell isn't helping ME quit any.

I did send him the post I wrote out for you guys, I was thinkin maybe he could get "another" perspective on what MY veiw of the whole week was... and as hard as it was in the hospital, I do truly miss my ANGELS that were sent to lighten the load of despair.

again my thanks, my love goes to all of you... You are such a comfort in such a tough time.

Just because the surgery is OVER, doesn't mean it all is, you know?

<center>"You sick f***s, you've seen one too many movies." -Sidney
"Now Sid, dont you blame it one the movies. Movies don't make psycho's, movies make psycho's a little more creative." -Billy </center>

Moon All you can really do is hope that Gomez will come around. You cannot force him to do what he does not want to. He is normally an active person because of his job so sitting around and staring at the walls isn't quite in him. My dad was the same way with his total knee replacement but he seemed to come to his senses when he tried to start using it. Of course, my dad also did very minimal amounts of morphine in the hospital for his pain and did not use pain killers once he was out. By not using the covering drugs, I think it made him realize quicker that certain things are really shooting pain through him and that he should not be doing that. I am not suggesting this for Gomez as every person is different and many would be more of a pain in the ass if they didn't take the pain meds but it is to show that sometimes they need to learn for themselves. Of course, I would think that Gomez would learn by now because I can just imagine how sore he must be throughout his body.

All I can suggest for you is if he insists on doing everything himself, try to find some time for yourself away from the house. Go on a walk or go to a local park, make sure that either a) someone else is home with him or b) he has a phone in his hand the whole time. I guess he just needs to realize that if he pushes himself too much, he may be back in the hospital again and for your kids to see him in the hospital is not easy on them. No kid that age should have to go through that.

Hang in there moonstarling...this too shall pass.

In all of my darkest hours, those words relight my hope. They're pretty simple, and sometimes just bounce off, but when I actually hear them, anything's possible.

I have to remember that we're only here for a short time, and every moment that passes by is gone for good.
None of us know how many of those moments we're ever going to get.

So laugh while you can, as this too shall pass...God has a sense of humor (I think it's mostly irony), and loves to make us laugh - sometimes, we just don't get the joke.

As an only child of aging parents, I've had many long vigils in the hospital with no one around for support - sometimes, if it weren't for the nurses and others there to buoy my spirits, I possibly would've cracked.
They were there when I really needed them, and so it was for you.

Recovery time will eat every ounce of your patience - they (our beloved recovering patient) never get it right. Especially self-reliant individuals - they have to do it their own way (which is NEVER what the doctor said), and all we can do is keep them from hurting themselves again, if possible.

Like everyone, I could go on and on with examples for support, but you're a strong woman in a difficult situation...I think you'll be okay in the end.

Remember two things:
1. You meant it when you told yourself you'd do anything to get him through this, and
2. This too shall pass...

{{{{{{{{{{{JOE & TIG}}}}}}}}}}}}

Thanks guys I am hangin tight today.
At least he woke up this morning and said, "My leg is sore I think I'll stay off my fee today" (F&*KING DUH!)I smiled and said, "maybe that is a good idea....

He did ask me, why I slept on the couch NEXT to the recliner last night and I told him...because you were quite active yesterday and I just wanted to make sure you would be ok thru the night....

anyhow--I did my shopping and dammit I am taking the rest of the day IN--I may be sleeping at night but I am exhausted still

"this too shall pass"-- I always refer to my life in "phases" sometimes good, sometimes bad...I realize this is just another learning experience I do realize, given time, all will be exactly as it is suppose to....whatever that MAY be

Love you guys--thanks for listening!!!!

<center>"You sick f***s, you've seen one too many movies." -Sidney
"Now Sid, dont you blame it one the movies. Movies don't make psycho's, movies make psycho's a little more creative." -Billy </center>