8 February 2008
The Story On My Mom And My Blog Writing
Posted by Darrell under: Rantings Of An Outdoorsman .
It is amazing how one day everything can be going along just fine and then WHAM everything changes in the blink of an eye. One day I’m writing on this blog and planning a hunting excursion and then the next day writing (and even hunting for that matter) are the furthest things from my mind.
It is a good thing that I’m not trying to make my living from writing because I’d have starved over the past few months. Writing has been the furthest thing from my mind. I’ve had no motivation or desire to write. It has been really weird. I wouldn’t say that I’ve been depressed, but it must be something somewhat similar.
Interestingly, this has changed. I find myself wanting to write again. How do I know? Well, I started just getting those ‘writing’ thoughts again. If you are a writer you know what I mean. Something happens and you instantly think “I need to write about this” and the entire story (or post) composes itself in your mind. Well this has been happening to me, again and I’m looking forward to posting again!
My desire to write again began during the last week of January. I went to Florida for a wedding. While most everyone else was lying around on the beach trying to soak up as much sun as possible and strolling through town shopping, I went fishing. Since I haven’t been in the woods or on the water since my Iowa deer hunt, this time fishing completely relaxed and refreshed my mind. My desire to write returned while holding a fishing pole!
I’m leaving tomorrow for one of my favorite places on earth - the mountains of BC. After a week of skiing, hiking, and breathing that fresh mountain air, I’m confident that I’ll return to writing full force!
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My mom went in for an Angioplasty soon after my return from Iowa. It was supposed to be a fairly simple outpatient procedure. They knew she had a blockage and they were going to go in with a camera to take a look at it. She was supposed to be in and out in a couple hours and back home that night. The doctor performing the procedure said that if he saw something obvious that he could easily fix while he was inside he’d take care of it with a stint or a balloon.
Six hours into the two hour procedure a nurse came out and told us that the Doctor was putting in stints and that there had been some complications. She’d let us know as soon as there was more to tell. Twelve hours after the procedure began, the Doctor came out and told us that my mother was still alive but things hadn’t went as planned.
Over the next few weeks my mom’s life hung in the balance. I’m not sure how many times they “almost lost her”. No one knew whether she’d make it or not. She spent days on morophine, laudlam, and every other pain medicine that they could pump into her. None of this would even touch the pain and she spent hours begging for help. At one point her left arm swelled up and burst. It reminded me of a hotdog that is overcooked. Of course, I’m the tough son, so it was I that she begged to help put her out of her misery.
This was taking place over the Holidays when the hospital was understaffed. It took a couple weeks for anyone to realize what was causing the pain and why she was partially paralyzed and had no pulse on the left side of her body. I still don’t have the full story, but it appears that the original doctor might have pushed a stint through one of her arteries, tried to pull it back out and ended up destroying the nerves that control her left arm.
The surgeons that finally did the bypass surgery to repair the arteries destroyed in the first surgery appeared to have done a great job. They put in, not inches but feet of artificial arteries to repair the ones destroyed and filled in during the first surgery. My mother amazingly survived.
Unfortunately, her survival comes with a price. Her left hand is dead. She has been told that she will never get it back. She cannot move it or feel with it at all - however she can feel intense pain in it. Her left arm can be moved slightly at the shoulder. She has to manually move both her arm and hand throughout the day to keep it from shrivelling up. She is in intense pain and takes a crazy amount of medicine each day. She has been assured that the pain will be with her until she dies. She is taking occupational therapy and pain management therapy. Her attitude is probably better than mine would be if I was in her shoes.
The thing that bothers her the most is heart wrenching. My little sister had a baby just weeks before this drama all began. My mother can’t hold her granddaughter. It tears her up. She wants to be able to hold that baby.
This is the WHAM that changed my parents life and gave me writers block (as well as consuming my time).
I’m certain, though, that dad and I will be walking the woods together come turkey season this spring. Mom is already talking about getting out on the lake! And I’m thinking about walking in the woods and, amazingly, writing!
9 Comments so far...
adam Says:
8 February 2008 at 8:43 pm.
This was a touching story. My mother recently had a so called routine surgery that turned out to be anything but. She had internal bleeding that they couldn’t stop for over a month. But they finally did a prcedure three surgeries later that got it stopped. I t makes you realize how much your family means to you. God bless, and good luck this turkey season.
Arthur Says:
9 February 2008 at 11:14 pm.
Darrell,
I just wante do to say that it’s good to have ya back writing again and we’re all looking forward to it.
It is nice to see someone there days who has their priorities straight and knows that family comes first no matter what the circumstances. I’m glad that you were there for your mom and glad, although they’re may be some things to overcome for her, that she is still around to get to share life with her family and also get to see her granddaughter.
I wish all of you guys the best and you’re in our thoughts and prayers and let me know if there is anything at all that I could do.
Randy Says:
11 February 2008 at 8:13 am.
Sorry to hear your mom is in so much pain, but I’m glad that she survived and that you’ll be able to spend much more precious time with her. She’s so lucky to have you for a loving son.
Randy
Kristine Shreve Says:
11 February 2008 at 8:53 am.
Wow, that is tough. You certainly did the right thing in being with your Mom and family while they needed you. I’m glad you’re getting time to rest and refresh yourself now. I know how much a family illness can take out of everyone.
Sounds like your Mom has as positive an attitude as she can. I will keep you and her in my thoughts.
Rex Says:
11 February 2008 at 6:37 pm.
I wish your Mom well and know the feeling of hopelessness you feel as you wait for news. In a similar fashion, I lost my Mother last January and know the ache as you remember every small thing she sacrificed for you as you wait in limbo.
Good Luck and remember to show that love to her.
Rex
Matt Says:
12 February 2008 at 11:48 am.
I don’t think I would have been writing much either. Best to your Mom. I’m glad she made it and hope her conditions continues to improve.
Oh yeah, and congratulations to your sister on the baby!
Phillip Says:
13 February 2008 at 11:48 am.
Hang in there, brother.
Life is hard, and it comes at you whether you’re ready or not. Gotta roll with it and make the best out of what you’re dealt.
Real sorry to hear about the hard times, but at least you’re doing something positive (writing, heading to BC, etc.). Don’t let it knock you down.
Jeff Says:
16 February 2008 at 9:10 am.
Man, that is a tough story. I am just so glad that she is still with you. My dad’s whole body went dead due to ALS, so I know what she is going through.
And while not being able to hold your sister’s baby is tough, at least she is alive to see her. My dad would have given anything to have lasted long enough to see his two grandsons born… so help her keep that positive spirit up.
Glad to have you back!
mike ansel Says:
19 February 2008 at 11:39 am.
Darryl I had a heart cath. less than a week ago, and am so blessed things went well. We have no guarantee’s do we? Tell your mom my wife and I, and our prayer group will be praying for a miracle. Of course there is the miracle of “love” also. The love and support of a strong family pulling together is so important during the hard times. I’m sure you, your sister, and your dad, along with that new grandbaby will do whatever it takes to ease your Mothers burden.
Blessings Mike
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