Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Life's Curves and Bumps...



I've been just a bit MIA lately. This past week was a lesson in patience and hospital procedure which required more patience. My mom has been sick and required not one but two trips to the ER last week, the second of which she was admitted. That was this past Saturday and she was released and sent home yesterday. She contracted a bacterial infection which was causing some chest pain/discomfort. So the doctors admitted her for more testing and correct antibiotics. She was given the wrong antibiotics on the first trip to the ER, last week Monday. Last week Wednesday I took her to her Primary Care doctor who thought she had had a TIA (like a mini stroke, considered a warning sign). He prescribed Plavix (blood thinner) and we thought she was on her way to getting better. Then Friday I was at her house and she was still tired so my Aunt Fran, mom's sister, spent Friday night with her.

Saturday at 7am my husband is waking me up (I think I told him to go away. I had been up until 2:30 & was tired). He tells me Aunt Fran is on the phone. My mom and aunt had been up since 4am with my mom in pain but not willing to call 911. She's very stubborn. So I get ready to go, and my niece, who lives 10 minutes from my mom, was called and she took my mom to the ER and I met them there. After being admitted for more tests and even more tests, she went home yesterday. We're both tired of the hospital and she's happy to be home. What a week! I did get some reading done so that was a positive thing. But now I'm way behind on writing reviews. LOL

We did get some good news last week. My oldest brother, who has lymphoma and in need of a stem cell transplant, has found a 10/10 donor match. Me! I'm happy, excited and very nervous. I'll be going to Denver next month, in just a few weeks! The procedure is suppose to take about 7 days. I get medicine for 6 days to increase the release of stem cells into the blood. Then I'm hooked up to a machine that removes the stem cells from my blood, then puts the blood back into me. I'll be flying there and this is where I could use any advice you guys can offer. I haven't flown since 1999 and obviously things have changed a lot! So any tips, tricks or advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

I'm going to try to catch up on blog hopping and review writing. I did hear about the latest eye rolling drama in romanceland. About the high school teacher who writes erotica romances under a pen name. Seriously, this is what parents are upset about? As long as she wasn't talking about her books in class, which from what I read she had not, then I don't see what the problem is. She has been teaching for 25 years and is considered a good teacher. If what she does in her personal life isn't illegal, then it's no ones business. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these same people/parents that are so upset have internet access in their homes where these same children they are trying to protect, can Google things that are far more "racy" than what Ms. Mays writes.

I don't usually get involved in the online drama, mainly because in my experience, things are usually blown way out of proportion. And often there are people who have their own agendas and don't want to discuss the issue, they only want to give what they think is the correct opinion. So it's pointless to attempt a discussion of the problem and the situation usually disintegrates into name calling and juvenile behavior. Which I have no patience for.

But I do wish to voice my opinion on this since I do have three kids, one of which is a junior in high school. When you consider what kids can watch during prime time TV and on cable - they see plenty of sexual situations played out in front of them. Sex is everywhere in the media. It's difficult to get away from it. There are far more important issues going on in high schools like the quality of teaching, overcrowding, bullying, cuts in extracurricular activities and the safety of the students and faculty. This story is simply being sensationalized by the media and those who have nothing better to do than intrude into a teacher's personal life.

9 comments:

  1. Oh, Leslie, I'm so sorry you're going through so much with your mom. Mine has been sick, too, and it's very stressful. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for a quick and full recovery for her.

    And yay! How amazingly wonderful that you're a match for your brother - and a perfect match at that! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a fantastic outcome for you both.

    Flying advice? Wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. And wow - you haven't flown since 1999? Well, you can't pay cash for your booze on the planes anymore (or the food, which now all costs $$) - it's all by credit card. And bring snacks, but wait til you get past security to buy water, or else you'll just have to dump it out.

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom! Hopefully she's on her way to a full recovery!

    And that's fantastic news about your brother! Well, not that he's sick (which sucks), but yippee that you're a match!

    What Lori said about flying. Nothing is free on planes anymore, and they're pretty much all "cash-less." Most of the airlines charge for checked luggage now too, which means idiots trying to cram giant suitcases in overhead bins. Sigh. Not that it's a pet peeve of mine or anything :)

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  3. Lori ~ Thanks! I know you've been going through something similar with your mom. I hope she's doing better.

    Can you believe it? Oldest and youngest a perfect match. LOL I was surprised. I thought one of my other brothers would match.

    What can I say? We're a road trip kind of family. :)

    I didn't know about the no cash so that's good to know. I was planning on snacks but would have brought my own water, so thanks for that heads up. The shoes - I'm always surprised when picking someone up at the airport and see people exiting the gates wearing flip flops and spiked heels. It's sneakers for me. :)

    Wendy ~ Thanks, she's doing better. Worrying about my brother but we're staying positive.

    Yeah, I can see people trying to shove the giant suitcases into the overhead bins. I've been looking at the checked baggage costs. Looks like $25 minimum. I'm only taking my purse and backpack on board. Big suitcase will get checked.

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  4. Wow you are going through the ringer. Big ((((((hugs)))). And great news and what a wonderful thing that you can be a donor for your brother.

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  5. Kristie ~ Thanks! I think things have quieted down, at least for today. :)

    I was thrilled that one of us was a match! I get a trip to Denver and get to see my brother and his wife, who is amazing.

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  6. Hey Leslie :)

    So how's your mom? Better I hope :) And are you the oldest or the youngest? :)

    By the way, it's funny that even away, you've heard of the latest kerfuffle... I haven't. wonder if I've been living under a rock LOL.

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  7. Nath ~ she's doing better, thanks. *toes & fingers crossed*

    I'm the youngest & my brother needing the transplant is the oldest. Almost 19 yrs older than me.

    Twitter Nath. Everything's on Twitter - except you!

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  8. ((( Leslie ))) I'm so sorry I didn't see this post sooner. This is the exact sort of thing I get upset about missing when I don't get around to everyone's blog every week.

    Well, I'm so glad your mom is being taken care of and hopefully on the right treatment now. Elderly parents really don't realize how much more difficult they make it for us who take care of them when they neglect their health and or are too stubborn to just go to the doctor or ER! Gah! But thankfully you guys got her there before her condition got more dangerous or complicated.

    That is indeed fantastic news about your brother!! I wish you both a smooth procedure and I'll be thinking of both of you.

    Remember that your toiletries need to be travel size containers, too. I *think* 4 oz. or smaller? And it helps if you pack it all in a clear ziploc bag and put it on the top of everything in your backpack/luggage. They'll x-ray it and even open your backpack to inspect. And of course wear sexy underwear in case you get searched. OMG I'M KIDDING! lol!!! That would be awful... I'm totally kidding. Did I make you laugh at least?

    How long is your hospital stay when you donate the stem cells?

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  9. Thanks Christine!

    My mom is much better! She always says how she doesn’t want to worry anyone or be a bother, which drives me nuts because of course I worry!

    I was thrilled we found a match. At least that part of the process is over. I won’t actually be inthe hospital but at the doctor’s office. My part is all done on an outpatient basis. 7 days total.

    Excellent! Now I have an excuse for a trip to Victoria’s Secret. LOL

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