Distressed Tigress
Wednesday afternoon, January 18, 2017 - I heard Dad talking over the phone, giving our house address and describing the scene upstairs. Mom's speech began slurring and she was having difficulty moving. Dad tried rolling her computer chair to the bathroom, as she couldn't stand or lift herself anymore. At that point, she hunched over and vomited on the balcony. Dad stayed on the phone and asked me to unlock our front doors and clear the entry ways. I obliged and preceded to prepare a bag with snacks, water bottles and tissues. I was already under the impression that I'd be separated from both of my parents; I didn't know how long it would be before we'd see each other again. Within 10 minutes, EMT's arrived and rushed Mom to the hospital with Dad riding shotgun. I watched them exit our driveway and contacted my siblings. Then I was home alone, waiting for Dad's next call.
Surprisingly, this isn't the first time I've seen EMT's come to our house and take someone to the hospital. Our family has been fortunate enough that they've always responded quickly and handled each situation with care. In any case - A few hours after Mom and Dad's departure, some returned phone calls - my brothers, sister-in-law and I met together at the Chest Pain Center, Emergency Room. Nurses were saying Mom was experiencing a stroke, so they administered TPA, an emergency transfusion that prevents blood clotting. Thankfully, Mom received treatment within the 3-hour window before any other complications arose, but it would still be a few days until her recovery and release. The medication requires a minimum 24-hour monitoring, so she was admitted to the Critical Care Unit that evening. All we could do let Mom rest and have the medication run it's course.
That same evening, My sister opened an extended-Family Facebook chat so we could share updates on Mom's condition; everyone could stay connected and informed. Soon enough, family all over the world started sending warm thoughts and prayers for us. We were eventually joined by relatives who came to support us in the waiting room. Initially, I didn't feel comfortable sharing this news with my friends, but some reached out to me and lent their words of encouragement toward her recovery. This might be the first time I've ever seen Mom lying in a hospital bed; I've never seen her suffer like this before. I could barely sum up the courage to speak with her, because I didn't know what would happen next. When it was time to leave, Dad decided to stay the night while Mom rested in the CCU; he checked on her periodically and slept in the waiting room early into the next day.
Watching one of the strongest people that you love and care about, become so vulnerable might be one of the scariest things in Life. Knowing that Death is inevitable and can come at anytime for anyone. Mom being the person she is, has never shown much struggle with anything. I've always admired her ability to stay calm and collected, always in control and on top of of her situations. This case however, was out of our hands. Her treatments involved much needed rest, medication and monitoring to help stabilize her condition. Although her hospital stay was short, Mom received many visitors during this time. Whether it was medical professionals assisting her or someone just sending warm thoughts and prayers - Everyone's efforts helped push Mom on the road to recovery. I wasn't informed on her CT or MRI examinations, but she was well enough to be released Friday afternoon, January 20, 2017.
- - - - -
Mom's Chinese Zodiac is the Tiger; she portrays our maternal figure as well as the huntress, or provider of our family. With the help of everyone's healing presence, Mom gathered enough strength to recover and return home quickly. I viewed her mother, Lola Mayme, as the Phoenix who had been resurrected many times until her eventual passing. Both Mom and Lola suffered ailments involving their Blood Pressure levels. If I understand correctly: Mom's Blood Pressure was high caused by diet and stress, while Lola's Blood Pressure was low due to her small body and weak heart. "Similar- yet, not at all." - I'm relieved to have you back home with us, Mom. But having this experience taught me that My brothers and I need to take our roles as adults more responsibly from now on. With that said, I'm glad we're safe & sound.
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/163101.html - poetry - Neon Dreams
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/150533.html - Taming the Animals
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/132224.html - Release Date 04/23
Surprisingly, this isn't the first time I've seen EMT's come to our house and take someone to the hospital. Our family has been fortunate enough that they've always responded quickly and handled each situation with care. In any case - A few hours after Mom and Dad's departure, some returned phone calls - my brothers, sister-in-law and I met together at the Chest Pain Center, Emergency Room. Nurses were saying Mom was experiencing a stroke, so they administered TPA, an emergency transfusion that prevents blood clotting. Thankfully, Mom received treatment within the 3-hour window before any other complications arose, but it would still be a few days until her recovery and release. The medication requires a minimum 24-hour monitoring, so she was admitted to the Critical Care Unit that evening. All we could do let Mom rest and have the medication run it's course.
That same evening, My sister opened an extended-Family Facebook chat so we could share updates on Mom's condition; everyone could stay connected and informed. Soon enough, family all over the world started sending warm thoughts and prayers for us. We were eventually joined by relatives who came to support us in the waiting room. Initially, I didn't feel comfortable sharing this news with my friends, but some reached out to me and lent their words of encouragement toward her recovery. This might be the first time I've ever seen Mom lying in a hospital bed; I've never seen her suffer like this before. I could barely sum up the courage to speak with her, because I didn't know what would happen next. When it was time to leave, Dad decided to stay the night while Mom rested in the CCU; he checked on her periodically and slept in the waiting room early into the next day.
Watching one of the strongest people that you love and care about, become so vulnerable might be one of the scariest things in Life. Knowing that Death is inevitable and can come at anytime for anyone. Mom being the person she is, has never shown much struggle with anything. I've always admired her ability to stay calm and collected, always in control and on top of of her situations. This case however, was out of our hands. Her treatments involved much needed rest, medication and monitoring to help stabilize her condition. Although her hospital stay was short, Mom received many visitors during this time. Whether it was medical professionals assisting her or someone just sending warm thoughts and prayers - Everyone's efforts helped push Mom on the road to recovery. I wasn't informed on her CT or MRI examinations, but she was well enough to be released Friday afternoon, January 20, 2017.
- - - - -
Mom's Chinese Zodiac is the Tiger; she portrays our maternal figure as well as the huntress, or provider of our family. With the help of everyone's healing presence, Mom gathered enough strength to recover and return home quickly. I viewed her mother, Lola Mayme, as the Phoenix who had been resurrected many times until her eventual passing. Both Mom and Lola suffered ailments involving their Blood Pressure levels. If I understand correctly: Mom's Blood Pressure was high caused by diet and stress, while Lola's Blood Pressure was low due to her small body and weak heart. "Similar- yet, not at all." - I'm relieved to have you back home with us, Mom. But having this experience taught me that My brothers and I need to take our roles as adults more responsibly from now on. With that said, I'm glad we're safe & sound.
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/163101.html - poetry - Neon Dreams
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/150533.html - Taming the Animals
http://puremystery.livejournal.com/132224.html - Release Date 04/23