I love wind chimes. Especially the ones that are tuned. It is a beautiful sound to hear the differing tones as the wind playfully blows them around. Never the same tune twice…it’s all up to the wind’s fancy.

This is a set of chimes that my Mom and Pop gave to me as a housewarming gift. They hang proudly from a tree in the backyard where I will enjoy their song each time I step into the backyard. Music to watch a dog by …or, in summer, to while away some serious time in the pool.

Yesterday, I had the chance to talk with Nathan again. He was the cute 3 yr old with the ‘snuffies’ from a few posts back. And, James had some info for me, too.

Mrs.O…Hi, Nathan, how are your ‘snuffies’?

Nathan…They’re gone now.

Mrs. O…That’s great! So, I guess you are feeling all better now.

Nathan…Well, no…now I have some coughs.

Mrs.O…Oh, my, that’s not good. Where did you get the coughs?

Nathan…From the leaf.

Mrs. O…Oh, so are you allergic to leaves, too?

Nathan…No. It was the leaf in Grandma’s car. It was a bad leaf.

Mrs. O… How do you know it was a bad leaf?

Nathan…Because it gave me the coughs.

Mrs. O…I didn’t know that leaves could give you coughs.

Nathan…Just if you eat them.

Mrs.O…Oh, so did you eat the leaf? I bet that wasn’t good.

Nathan…I know it wasn’t good…it gave me the coughs!

Mrs. O…Nathan, I don’t think it is a very good idea to eat leaves. Do you do that very often?

Nathan…Only the ones in Grandma’s car. But, not any more. They have coughs in them.

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James…Mrs. Owens, I have a little brother. Her name is Emma.

Mrs. O…That is wonderful, James. I bet you are a wonderful big brother. Do you help take care of her?

James…Yes. Me and Daddy do.

Mrs. O…What can you do for your sister?

James…Well, she wets her panties.

Mrs.O…Yes, little sisters do that a lot. They have to learn to go to the potty.

James… She poops in her panties, too.

Mrs.O… I know, they do that a lot, too. That’s why they need a family to help take care of them.

James…I don’t help with that poop stuff.

Mrs.O…I can understand that.

James…But, my daddy does. He just takes those panties off and throws them in the garbage can!
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LESSONS LEARNED:

1. Be careful when you eat new things. You could have an unpleasant reaction.

2. Big brothers and sisters are an important part of family life.

3. When the ‘unpleasant’ things present themselves, get rid of them quickly. No use letting them hang around!

Thank-you friends, for all the prayers and sweet words of encouragement you sent to me concerning Mom. It means everything to know others are holding you up.

Mom is home from the hospital, but not a whole lot better off. She is not in as severe pain as she was. But, it comes back every time she eats or drinks. Now here is what has me in a wad…The doc, gastroenterologist, that performed the EGD, the light down the throat to see the stomach, told me he found no ulcers, so there was nothing to biopsy. Another doc, her GP, told her the same thing. Then GP came back and said there WAS an ulcer and they biopsied it. When she was discharged, the nurse told my sister the same thing…ulcer was there and biopsied. They did change her meds around and put her on something new. So, what to believe?

I am getting on the phone today and getting a discharge report from the hospital and a report from Doc #1, who actually did the procedure. Maybe I can find out what is going on. I do not want someone messing around with my Mom and her not getting the proper care. She has another doc visit today with a urologist for totally separate issues. Bless her heart.

It really burns me up that there is so much incompetency in the medical field. And, I am a nurse myself. Why is there not more cohesive care? I tell you this, no one should be in a hospital anywhere without an advocate looking out for them. There needs to be someone who is responsible for keeping up with reports from each doctor involved…someone to keep it all straight. Her nursing care was excellent while there, but all this other is just not acceptable. And that is my rant for the day!

Thanks again for caring for my sweet mother and praying in her behalf.

I have been at the hospital since yesterday morning with Mom. On Sunday, she had a very bad night, with diarrhea and vomiting, and severe upper abdominal pain. This continued on into the morning and through the day yesterday. They have the pain a little better under control now, but the tests are showing nothing. Mom is one tough cookie, and she doesn’t complain unless the pain is very bad. Please pray that the tests will show up something that can be treated easily. My sister is with her tonight…we just do not feel comfortable leaving her alone.

I think one of the greatest blessings of friendship is the fact that we can call on one another when needed. We can boldly ask for prayer, knowing the request will be honored. So, thank you, friends, for being there when I need a little extra prayer power. You’re the best!

Tonja

HAVE A GREAT VALENTINE’S DAY !