not all here... again this time via thoughts of Lancaster
A wave of sadness swept me away this weekend.
This time last year was the last family of four trip we PA Roaches took. Mom, Dad, Stephanie and I traveled to Lancaster, Bethlehem, and Hershey. There was good, but lots of things kept getting in the way.
We arrived in Lancaster, PA on Friday, June 2nd. In downtown Lancaster there are a number of museums and cultural things. On the First Friday of every month through the year, the places close at their normal time but reopen around 8pm for First Friday festivities. I had done a bunch of research so we would have a number of things to do as well as a nice hotel to stay in.
Due to rain we opted not to visit the Amish Farm and House the afternoon of our arrival. We relaxed in the hotel and had dinner at Friendly's until it was time to head to downtown Lancaster for First Friday. We first visited the Heritage Center Museum. This place was beautiful and they had a new exhibit featuring a printing press from 1920. That was great fun. We also stopped by the Quilt and Textile Museum which was participating in their first First Friday. I have never seen more beautiful quilts. By this time mom was quite tired so we headed back to the hotel.
Saturday, June 3rd, we started on the next part of our trip. We had tickets to see Ruth at one of the Sight & Sound Theaters. This is a place that takes bible stories and turns them into amazingly beautiful stage shows with music. Additionally they use live animals to add that extra element. Mom had been there before and so we all decided to see a show together. Yes it is a christian thing but as far as I'm concerned it is not a you-are-damned-if-you-don't-believe-us preachy thing.
Unfortunately for me, something was up with my system. We had breakfast before the show and I also had some almonds that were roasted in something sweet. You can usually find them at a kiosk smelling delicious during the winter holiday season. By intermission, I had a horrible headache. I took something to help with that and tried to enjoy the second half. Sadly I did nothing but get worse. I left the show and spent a good amount of time in the bathroom reexperiencing the meals from the day. When I finally left that room, I was weak, pale, shaking and crying. I never did see the end of the show. My family took care of me as we sat on a bench outside and I struggled to feel normal. Eventually I was able to keep some advil down to try and calm the pain in my head.
Then our little caravan of two cars hit the road to Bethlehem. We were staying with the Martins, long time family friends. By the time we got there I felt worlds better and my appetite had returned. My plans for visiting whowantscookies was dashed, but that worked out for I was needed in Bethelehem.
Sunday, June 4th arrives. The reason we were in Bethlehem was to celebrate the ordination of Albert Martin. I didn't have anything fancy to wear to the ceremony since I was originally going to be in Philly. Well it's a good thing I was around. Dad was having some bladder issues that had been going on for a few days. He just hadn't said anything. /sigh I took him to the nearest emergency room so he could be diagnosed.
So dad is admitted and I remained in the lobby. Things were taking a long time for a non busy emergency room. I asked if I could see my dad and was pointed in the right direction. Dad was in a hospital gown, relaxing on a bed. He would soon be getting a catheter to alleviate his bathroom issue until he could get home and get full treatment. The room could accommodate two patients. I sat in the empty area trying to relax while waiting for Dad's treatment to be completed.
A doctor and two people arrived and I apologized for taking up the space. I went to the other side of the curtain to sit with my dad. It was a mother and her son who was well into his teens. It's impossible not to listen when there is only a thin curtain separating you. "Yep, you have the chicken pox," the doctor declared. Dad and I are both going O_O. Dad's upset since he's feeling exposed as most people do when wearing hospital gowns. I start getting panicked. Remember my mom was on chemo and very susceptible to diseases. I didn't remember if I had had chicken pox and dad couldn't remember either. I told dad I would wait in the car.
Once outside I promptly had a breakdown. I was so afraid that I had just been infected by the chicken pox and I would bring home such a horrible disease that it would kill my mom. So after I calmed down a bit, enough that I could speak, I made a status call to my mom's cel phone.
Steph was sitting at the kitchen table with my Mom at that Martin's when I had called. Here's approximately what my sister heard of the conversation:
Hi!
*some nods/yes sounds*
Yes you've had the chicken pox.
No you won't kill me.
*some more nods/yes sounds*
I love you too.
Eventually Dad was released and we headed back to the Martin's beautiful home. I got directions and went out to fill his prescription. Once I returned I was able to participate in the food festivities for Albert. He's such a fun and great guy who loves comics, zombie films, and tons of other geeky things. All seemed well and we had a great time having food and conversing with friends.
Monday, June 5th was our trip home as well as my sister's birthday. To celebrate that, we stopped at Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. We all ventured on the How Chocolate is Made Ride and then Steph and I participated in the Factory Works which is this really cheesy thing where you become an employee for a few minutes and package up some kisses. It's mainly for young children, but Steph and I had fun especially since there was no line at all. After all that we had some food in their little cafe before the shopping spree. I sadly could not find my chocolate covered almonds, but we did pick up a number of other great and tasty things.
Sadly the journey home was a very tough one. Mom had become very sick again and spent most of the trip back throwing up. Poor Stephanie had mom as her passenger. Dad and I weren't far behind them. Once we got back to Pittsburgh, mom began a series of hospital stays.
Despite all the weird sickness that plagued us on this journey, we as a family enjoyed our time together.
Memories of this trip hit me hard this weekend leaving me in a sea of sadness. I'm still treading water today. I know I'll get through this with help from loving family and friends. It's just very difficult.
This time last year was the last family of four trip we PA Roaches took. Mom, Dad, Stephanie and I traveled to Lancaster, Bethlehem, and Hershey. There was good, but lots of things kept getting in the way.
We arrived in Lancaster, PA on Friday, June 2nd. In downtown Lancaster there are a number of museums and cultural things. On the First Friday of every month through the year, the places close at their normal time but reopen around 8pm for First Friday festivities. I had done a bunch of research so we would have a number of things to do as well as a nice hotel to stay in.
Due to rain we opted not to visit the Amish Farm and House the afternoon of our arrival. We relaxed in the hotel and had dinner at Friendly's until it was time to head to downtown Lancaster for First Friday. We first visited the Heritage Center Museum. This place was beautiful and they had a new exhibit featuring a printing press from 1920. That was great fun. We also stopped by the Quilt and Textile Museum which was participating in their first First Friday. I have never seen more beautiful quilts. By this time mom was quite tired so we headed back to the hotel.
Saturday, June 3rd, we started on the next part of our trip. We had tickets to see Ruth at one of the Sight & Sound Theaters. This is a place that takes bible stories and turns them into amazingly beautiful stage shows with music. Additionally they use live animals to add that extra element. Mom had been there before and so we all decided to see a show together. Yes it is a christian thing but as far as I'm concerned it is not a you-are-damned-if-you-don't-believe-us preachy thing.
Unfortunately for me, something was up with my system. We had breakfast before the show and I also had some almonds that were roasted in something sweet. You can usually find them at a kiosk smelling delicious during the winter holiday season. By intermission, I had a horrible headache. I took something to help with that and tried to enjoy the second half. Sadly I did nothing but get worse. I left the show and spent a good amount of time in the bathroom reexperiencing the meals from the day. When I finally left that room, I was weak, pale, shaking and crying. I never did see the end of the show. My family took care of me as we sat on a bench outside and I struggled to feel normal. Eventually I was able to keep some advil down to try and calm the pain in my head.
Then our little caravan of two cars hit the road to Bethlehem. We were staying with the Martins, long time family friends. By the time we got there I felt worlds better and my appetite had returned. My plans for visiting whowantscookies was dashed, but that worked out for I was needed in Bethelehem.
Sunday, June 4th arrives. The reason we were in Bethlehem was to celebrate the ordination of Albert Martin. I didn't have anything fancy to wear to the ceremony since I was originally going to be in Philly. Well it's a good thing I was around. Dad was having some bladder issues that had been going on for a few days. He just hadn't said anything. /sigh I took him to the nearest emergency room so he could be diagnosed.
So dad is admitted and I remained in the lobby. Things were taking a long time for a non busy emergency room. I asked if I could see my dad and was pointed in the right direction. Dad was in a hospital gown, relaxing on a bed. He would soon be getting a catheter to alleviate his bathroom issue until he could get home and get full treatment. The room could accommodate two patients. I sat in the empty area trying to relax while waiting for Dad's treatment to be completed.
A doctor and two people arrived and I apologized for taking up the space. I went to the other side of the curtain to sit with my dad. It was a mother and her son who was well into his teens. It's impossible not to listen when there is only a thin curtain separating you. "Yep, you have the chicken pox," the doctor declared. Dad and I are both going O_O. Dad's upset since he's feeling exposed as most people do when wearing hospital gowns. I start getting panicked. Remember my mom was on chemo and very susceptible to diseases. I didn't remember if I had had chicken pox and dad couldn't remember either. I told dad I would wait in the car.
Once outside I promptly had a breakdown. I was so afraid that I had just been infected by the chicken pox and I would bring home such a horrible disease that it would kill my mom. So after I calmed down a bit, enough that I could speak, I made a status call to my mom's cel phone.
Steph was sitting at the kitchen table with my Mom at that Martin's when I had called. Here's approximately what my sister heard of the conversation:
Hi!
*some nods/yes sounds*
Yes you've had the chicken pox.
No you won't kill me.
*some more nods/yes sounds*
I love you too.
Eventually Dad was released and we headed back to the Martin's beautiful home. I got directions and went out to fill his prescription. Once I returned I was able to participate in the food festivities for Albert. He's such a fun and great guy who loves comics, zombie films, and tons of other geeky things. All seemed well and we had a great time having food and conversing with friends.
Monday, June 5th was our trip home as well as my sister's birthday. To celebrate that, we stopped at Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. We all ventured on the How Chocolate is Made Ride and then Steph and I participated in the Factory Works which is this really cheesy thing where you become an employee for a few minutes and package up some kisses. It's mainly for young children, but Steph and I had fun especially since there was no line at all. After all that we had some food in their little cafe before the shopping spree. I sadly could not find my chocolate covered almonds, but we did pick up a number of other great and tasty things.
Sadly the journey home was a very tough one. Mom had become very sick again and spent most of the trip back throwing up. Poor Stephanie had mom as her passenger. Dad and I weren't far behind them. Once we got back to Pittsburgh, mom began a series of hospital stays.
Despite all the weird sickness that plagued us on this journey, we as a family enjoyed our time together.
Memories of this trip hit me hard this weekend leaving me in a sea of sadness. I'm still treading water today. I know I'll get through this with help from loving family and friends. It's just very difficult.