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The Kitchen Table

Knock. Knock. No joke

17 years ago

I posted this on my blog tonight...

KNOCK. KNOCK.

WhoÂs there?

GOD.

UmmmmÂokay. So what do you want?

THIS IS YOUR WAKE-UP CALL.

So thatÂs not exactly how the conversation went, but itÂs close. Throughout the years, my dad has had his share of health issues. Bypass surgery, stents, prostate cancer, toe amputations, Staph infections, etc. But my mom has remained fairly healthy with the exception of a disobedient thyroid. In fact, she just returned today from a 5-day road trip to Tennessee with my sister.

Imagine my surprise when my sister called this evening and said she was on the way to the hospital with my mom! She couldnÂt breathe and her back was hurting. (Turns out her blood pressure was through the roof, too.) After an EKG, chest x-ray, blood work, and a breathing treatment, they determined she had a very irregular heartbeat. It was racing but not racing regularly. She is on oxygen and will be there at least overnight until they figure out what is wrong and how to treat it.

My mom is 79 years old and weights 98 pounds. I know we are all going to die someday, but I felt like tonight was a real wake-up call. And not one that I wanted, eitherÂ

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Comments (12)

luckygardnr
17 years ago
At least she's in the right place now, and it didn't happen during her road trip! They'll take care of her and get her back on the road to decent health. Hugs for you and yours.
FlamingO in AR
17 years ago
I hope everything turns out OK, Rita. I know the worry you're feeling and it stinks. Good luck to your Mom and the whole family. Hopefully this is something they can address with little fanfare and get her home and all fixed up soon.
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alisande
17 years ago
Yeah, we tend to get complacent when everything is going well. Silly us.

Best of luck to your mom and to everyone worried about her. Sounds like she's getting good care.
wanda_va
17 years ago
Rita, I'm sending prayers up for your mom. She's where she needs to be right now. Keep us posted on her progress.

My father was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation when he was 61 years old--and each year he told us that that Christmas would probably be his last because of his heart. He will be 87 his next birthday, and is doing quite well. Modern medicine works miracles.

Hugs for you and mom!
foggyj
17 years ago
Good wishes are coming your way. At least she's able to get care, and do what needs to be done. Hang in there.
grittymitts
17 years ago
Hopefully once Doctors find out exactly what is going on it can be treated with medication.

Meantime, I'm sure y'all are all worried, so I'll be praying for her...and y'all too!

(((((((((((((((((((RITA)))))))))))))))))))
Suzi
grammahony
17 years ago
I hope everything checks out okay, and she's out and about again quickly.
Prayers for your mom.
Leslie
okwriter
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Mom said she knew something was wrong even before the trip but didn't want to ruin their plans (*sigh*) and didn't say anything on the trip because she didn't want to be in a hospital far from home (*sigh*).

Last night she was kicking herself for being so hard headed. Glad I didn't inherit that gene! (*wink*)

Again, thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate each and every one...
Toni S
17 years ago
((Rita)) I hope they fix her right up.

I don't see my mom that often or talk to her everyday but I know a part of me will be missing when god comes knocking on her door.
nycefarm_gw
17 years ago
Maybe she just needs a new set of rechargeables?
((((Rita))))
User
17 years ago
I understand the 'wake up call' completely. It's hard when it happens. Keep thinking positively, your Mom is in great care. Don't be shy to speak to her doctors/nurses if you have questions. I send my best wishes for her recovery and hope they can sort this out quickly for her.
Peggy
coral_ok
17 years ago
Please keep us posted, Rita. I know that losing our mothers is the natural order of things, but that doesn't mean it's easy. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your mom checks out fine and that you have many more good years with her. ((((((((Rita)))))))))

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