July 12, 2012 1:18 PM
Update - need your prayers
I am so sorry to have disappeared so suddenly and completely. Honestly, it has been all I could do to hang on each day.Following my post about our revised itinerary, Maddy and I spent our last night at Santa Barbara. The next day we visited three missions (pictures to come) and ended up as planned at Tripp's aunt and uncle's in Palo Alto. It was late and I was pretty exhausted. While pulling myself up the stairs to my bedroom, I felt a sharp pain rip across my left chest. The next morning, it was just a little sore, but my entive left chest and underarm had turned black and purple. After coming home, I learned I had torn my pectoral muscle and probably lost a pint of blood, which explains why the next day I was unable to do anything at all.
Maddy drove us to San Francisco, where we were fortunate to find a room 1 1/2 blocks from the Opera House, where we had tickets to see The Magic Flute. I just could not move, so Maddy went by herself.
In the meantime, my pain was not getting any better, so everything was stripped to the minimum. We spent the next night in a lovely hotel - Embassy Suites in San Rafael - several cuts above the hotels we'd been staying in to save money (in preparing for the trip, I went for cheaper hotels which had good reviews). We watched The Artist and I felt better for a day of rest.
I had been able to bump our flight up to a Monday morning redeye to Dulles. Jet Blue waived the 100. change fee for me,but not for Maddy (another letter to write), and we still had to pay the difference in cost. One happy note: electricity had finally been restored to our neighborhood after eight days.so we were going home to a welcoming situation. Our sons with Down syndrome were still at Easter Seals camp.
Sunday we visited Tripp's sister and her family in Woodacre and his father and his father's wife in Petaluma - did a lot of catching up - then Maddy drove us to Oakland, dropped the rental car and got us on the plane.
Tripp and Matt picked us up and the plan was for me to sleep,then see our family orthopedist on Tuesday.. Thank goodness he called and found out that Dr. C was booked with surgeries the rest of the week and got me in to see him that afternoon. Dr. C sent me for a doppler which revealed a clot in my leg (which explains the increasing pain). We spent a few hours in the ER to determine whether i needed to stay in the hospital or could come home. I got to come home, but with two shots a day of medication for the clot (200. copay - ouch!), then six months of oral meds.
For the last two days I have finally been doing what I was supposed to be doing from 6/30 - instead of getting in and out of cars, hotels, planes, doctor offices, I've been resting with my leg elevated. This morning I woke in a lot of pain - combination of painkillers/constipation/too many laxatives - which I mention only because I still need a lot of prayer for specific needs.
Matt and Maddy have been taking care of me while Tripp is at work. For him, this couldn't have happened at a worse time as the company he works for is going through some heavy-duty challenges. But he has been following doctor's orders to make sure I am eating well so I can heal
Matt left this morning to pick up the boys, so they will be home after dinner, which will make things more hectic. Pray for God's grace as we adjust - because of their autism, transitions are very difficult for Jesse and Daniel.
Jonny leaves tomorrow for his first solo plane trip - to visit Josh and Sophia in Florida.
I am hoping that this abdominal issue will resolve itself and my leg will heal so I can start bearing a little weight on it..
For these things - and also fro Tripp's job - I would be so grateful for your prayers.
There is not a lot of wiggle room for the due date on my manuscript - 9/1 - so as soon as my innards are back in order, I hope to get a writing set up and get to work.
Tomorrow I hope to write about the spiritual sgnificance and lessons for Maddy and me. I'll admit I'm not yet at the point where I can say I wouldn't change a thing - but I'm sure someday I will.
Comments
Oh Barbara, praying for you. So glad you are home safe and sound, but please take care of yourself. Try black strap molasses for your tummy. don't eat much fiber right now either, it can back-fire with the pain meds. Also try drinking hot lemon water too. Love and blessings, Becca
Posted by: becca | July 12, 2012 3:56 PM
Barbara,
Wow, I am so sorry that things have been so crazy... You will definately be in my prayers. I would love to hear the spiritual lessons you have learned, when you are ready. Sharing these things helps us all to grow in our faith.
Blessings,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | July 12, 2012 5:34 PM
Barbara, thank you so much for this update. I've been going online several times a day starting a couple days ago to check your blog. I just thought something might have gone wrong--you and Maddy have been in my prayers since then. I'll add Tripp and your whole family to my prayers. Here's to a fast and complete recovery and to good news on the job front for Tripp.
Anne
Posted by: Anne | July 12, 2012 6:30 PM
Oh dear - praying!
Posted by: Kate J | July 12, 2012 6:50 PM
Barbara - I've been so concerned, and praying for you! My prayers will continue, and may God bless you with some peace and quiet and rest, a full and rapid recovery, resolution to the challenges Tripp's company is facing. Thankful that you returned home to full power and are safe in your own home. Wish there was something I could do to help you.
God bless you and keep you!
Posted by: Maggie | July 12, 2012 8:05 PM
So sorry to hear of all your pain! It must have been so hard to deal with while traipsing all over the country! God Bless you and you dear family. Prayers forthcoming!
Posted by: Kelly | July 12, 2012 9:06 PM
May peace be upon your house! And healing and patience and all the rest.
Posted by: Heather | July 13, 2012 12:58 AM
Oh, Barbara, I am praying for you. What a difficult trip!
Posted by: Deborah | July 13, 2012 1:47 AM
Dear Barbara and Maddy, When you take trips you really make a BIG DEAL OF IT!!!!!!! You poor dear, You body must have taken quite a fall... I am sorry your trip was cut shout by such an accident. It must have felt good to get back into your oun BED. I hope that this time of recovery will give you the rest you need. You've going at quite a pace since Spring...."OUR OLD!!!!!BODIES" JUST CANT TAKE WHAT THEY USE TO. Mine is "70" and I feel it everyday. I've looked at thye pictures. There surely some beautiful old building, When in 3rd grade {which} was another life time Our class visited the San Frando Mission. and over the years our family has been to others...Well my dear My Prayers are with you that Jesus will Hold You Close and give you Healing....Hi to Tripp......In Jesus love Becky Wold
Posted by: Rebecca Wold | July 13, 2012 6:50 AM
I prayed for you at Mass this morning! I'm so glad you are home and on the mend!
Posted by: Betty | July 13, 2012 8:06 AM
Hi Barbara, I am so sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. You are so positive and hopeful, please know you and your family are in our prayers. I don't know if you ever heard of bathing in Epsom salts, but it could help with some of your issues. Please look it up online and decide if this is something that could help you. Bathing in Epsom salts does many wonderful things. Try it! In the meantime, if I think of anything else, I will let you know. God Bless!!!
Posted by: Maura | July 13, 2012 9:05 AM
Met you at a few talks you gave for the St. John's Mom's group in McLean. You're all in my prayers!!!
Angela
Posted by: angela | July 13, 2012 10:16 AM
Prayers for you! It must have been so hard not to have your trip go as planned.
Posted by: Sarah | July 13, 2012 12:55 PM
Father God, please strengthen Barabara's legs.Heal her pain and help her to get back to her routine.
In your name
amen.
Posted by: santhy | July 13, 2012 7:41 PM
Oh, Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about all of this. I've been praying for you in a more general way since your earlier post, and I'll continue to pray for you and your family.
Posted by: Sheila | July 13, 2012 8:08 PM
I am praying for you, Barbara. Nothing ever NO HOW can separate us from the love of God. He is nearer to you than your hands and your feet. He is closer to you than your breath. Thanking God for your life testimony that points again and again to Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Love,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | July 13, 2012 9:16 PM
