Seems like it has been forever since I have posted anything. Truth is that October and November have been pretty much screwed for many people. October started off with the senseless killing of one of my co-workers. 24 years old and an awesome mother of a one-year-old baby boy, she was taken too soon. Then Austin just lost two of his buddies in car wreck. 15 and 16 years old, taken too soon. My sister-in-law, Renee is still battling cancer. She has been through radiation and chemo many times.
Mom spent the week in the hospital and I almost ended up in jail for hurting an ER doctor. Last Sunday I had to take Mom to the ER, it wasn’t her lungs this time. Pain in her stomach and back. After 4 ½ hours in the ER they said it was a UTI and sent her home with a couple of scripts and since it was 8:00 PM on a Sunday in Podunk IL, you know they sent enough meds to get her through the night until we could visit our lovely Wal-Mart pharmacy. She seemed to rest OK then at 4:30 AM, she was awake with pain so I gave her the pain pill they sent. After a few hours she started dry heaves, wahoo! Seemed to calm down so I headed to work and Mike and Kim would get her to stay while I worked. At 2:30 PM, I receive the call that the ambulance was called to take her to the hospital. She looked so bad when I got there. They ran the same test as the night before and tried telling me the numbers were better. WTF! They were going to release her. I was going to make sure that DR ended up in bed in the ER if he didn’t re-think that decision. And 5 ½ hours later Mom was admitted. She was released on Thursday, but only after they did test after test and still didn’t find anything. Plus they ended up causing more pain in her back, from some of them damn test. She is doing somewhat better, now, just has to take it easy.
Anyone who knows me knows that I really dread this time of year. I love the fall of the year, but Thanksgiving I remember the year Louie died the day before Turkey day. Then Christmas I remember when Betsey died and Christmas Eve day was her funeral and then last year Joe died Christmas day.
Right before all of this chaos started, I had just finished reading Never Die Easy, an autobiography book about Sweetness AKA Walter Payton. What an amazing man! I guess it was all about the timing, because the one thing that has stuck with me since reading that book was the quote that he often used. It was: Tomorrow is Promised to No One. My only comment is that statement is so true.
I ask that if you have taken the time to read this the next time you are talking to the Big Guy, say a prayer for Renee, and the families of the two young boys that were killed and also for the family of the co-worker that was violently murdered, especially her little boy.
Peace!
Some of you already know that the battle Mom has been through. The Saturday after Thanksgiving she went into the hospital with a compression fracture in her back. She was in major pain. While in there we found out she has a fractured rib also. She didn't fall or anything. We don't know what exactly happened. Chalk it up to the not so golden, golden years. They were giving her physical therapy and pain management. Then around Wednesday she took a turn for the worse. She was getting weaker and more pain. I thought she was getting pneumonia. They finally gave her enough pain meds to allow her to rest. Thursday she was still weaker and still in alot of pain. Friday I sat with her all morning and watched her blood pressure and O2. They were really low. She seemed to be a little better that afternoon. Friday night when I left she was resting somewhat. When I got there Saturday, she wouldn't open her eyes but she would squeeze my hand. She was laboring so much just to breath. Keith and Diane came in and Diane got her to open her eyes and talk somewhat. The doctor then came in and said it wasn't looking good. We called the rest of the family. Saturday there was a string of Morgan's in and out of that room. Keith and I stayed with her that night then at 4 in the morning they informed us that she had the MRSA virus. They moved her into isolation or Podunk's version of isolation. They started her on an antibiotic regimen and morphine for her pain. It has been a slow process but she has made progress. She is eating better, now just have to get her up and moving again. Once the antibiotics are complete, we will have to move her into a nursing home for rehab, unless she keeps progressing, then I might be able to bring her home. She still has a long way to go. My family and I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support. Plus Mom thanks you as well. Any time we tell her any one has called, you know Betty Mae she tells them thank you and not to worry. She is one tough lady, has to be, have you seen the clan she has raised and continues to support. 
Sometimes I wish I could revert back to those times, I always had a blast when Rick and Jeannie and the kids were around. I was probably, no correction I was a pain in the ass rugrat to the adults, but all I remember was being included and having a blast.
Grandpa and his little Buddy
Austin's Cute Grandma and her cutiest grandson.
Zane and Red through all kinds of weather.
