Chapter 47
Wednesday, September 14th, 2016. Chemo day…
‘Last night I looked up what I wrote you for a chemo day message a year ago. I did this before you ever asked me about an ending for our care bags. Well, almost a year to the date, the ending I shared with you for our care packages, was very similar to what I wrote a year ago. Maybe this IS a God thing. I started thinking back to a conversation we had almost 2 years ago… What are we supposed to be learning from this? You have had so many setbacks, so many bumps, yet you still return to the person God wants you to be. I told you a long time ago, people are watching. They have watched you get knocked down and pushed back and still somehow you manage to shine. Do you still feel like that? Because that my friend, is powerful. Happy Chemo Day!’
“Thanks. So true. Thanks Deb, for the reminder.”
11:30 A. M. text from Amanda…
“My mom is going to have to get blood today. She is going to be here longer than expected. Could you come sit with her for a bit? I will have to leave at 12:45 for a class.”
‘Yes, I will. Why does she need blood?’
“Her hemoglobin is low, just a little. Do you want something for lunch? I’m going to get my mom some Chipotle.”
‘No, I can get something. I’ll be there soon.’
Text from Luisa…
“Are you with Laura?”
‘Yes, I am. Her hemoglobin is low, so she is getting blood.’
“Like a blood transfusion?”
‘Yes.’
“That’s not good. Why did that happen?”
‘She is okay. It’s from a combination of chemo.’
“Will she have chemo next week too?”
‘No. Next week is her off week. Why? Are you taking off tomorrow?’
“I am leaving early for the Royals game.”
‘Did you know the game starts at 6:15? All the other games start at 7:15. Shoot, we would have been late.’
At the same time, I am texting with Luisa, I get a text from Laura…
“Game time is at 6:15 tomorrow.”
‘Did Luisa just tell you that?’
“No. David told me.”
‘I was just telling her about it. I looked at my tickets and saw the time. Oh boy! We would have been really late.’
“It will be ok. I am ok with it. Maybe there won’t be much of a crowd coming in. Lol. Thank you again for coming and sitting with me today.”
‘Sure. That little old lady sitting next to us, the one that wasn’t feeling well, she really got to me.’
“We can do a care bag for her. I saw another patient I am going to do one for. We can do one for her too.”
‘Did you personally give those other people a bag?’
“No. The nurses gave them the bags. I didn’t sign our letter either. I just want them to know someone is thinking and praying for them. Is that okay?”
‘Yep! It sure is. Isn’t that what God wants us to do? He wants us to do it in secret. Did you see the patients the nurses gave the bags to?’
“Two of them were there. I didn’t see them. They might have been down the hall, a few cubicles away.”
‘If you want to give a bag to that lady you can. She really made me sad. I don’t know if I would go through all of that if I was her age. I felt sorry for her. She was so cold.’
“I can do it. No problem. We are blessed in so many ways. We need a letter to go home to our parents. Can you write it?”
‘Yes, I can write something. I’ll work on it tonight.’
Group text with Amanda and Rachel…
Deb… “Your mom and I were talking today and got on the subject of things we would like to do in life. (Like a bucket list.) She said… She would love to go the ‘The Ellen Show’ during her ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways’. Who wants to write a letter to Ellen?? And listen… Don’t tell your mom I told you this.’
Rachel… “I totally think we should. Amanda, you are the writer of the family. I can help, but you have a way with words.”
Amanda… “I can write to Ellen. That would be so fun.”
Deb… ‘I guess the tickets go quick. Some people have waited for months. I feel the best way to get tickets, is to write her a letter.’
Amanda… “Yes, I know. I have looked it up before.”
Deb… ‘Your mom was a little embarrassed to tell me that this was something she would love to do. Do not let her know I told you.’
Amanda… “I can draft something and then you two can read and add to it. Me and Mom talk about it every year. I love Ellen.”
Rachel… “I feel like I knew she wanted to go on there. She loves ‘The Ellen Show’. I feel like we could win her tickets.”
Deb… ‘With her story… I bet so. We can use the wedding picture too.’
Amanda… “Yes! My thoughts exactly for the photo. The website says we can nominate a person in need, for kindness, for dreams come true and so on…”
Rachel… “Yes, that would be good. I would say, dreams come true.”
Deb… ‘Acts of kindness would be good too. You need to write about how she does all this stuff for others.’
Amanda… “Okay, sounds good.”
Deb… ‘This would be so neat if she won.’
Thursday evening, September 15th.
Same group text with Amanda and Rachel…
Deb… ‘We’re here. We finally made it to the Royals game. Hold on and I will send you a picture.’
The picture I sent was of Laura, Stacey, Luisa, and I, all in our bright pink t-shirts. We purchased these shirts, along with a handful of others, so we would have them to wear during the month of October. Since this game was the Breast Cancer Awareness night at the K, we all dressed in pink. When the girls and I discussed which shirt we should wear, we instantly knew which one was best. ~Friends Don’t Let Friends Fight Cancer Alone. ~ This shirt signifies how we feel about Laura. We are there for her, every step of the way.
Rachel… “Aww fun. How’s it going?”
Amanda… “Looks like fun ladies.”
Deb… ‘Well, we managed to get preferred parking. Mark told the parking attendant that your mom had cancer and can’t walk very far. The attendant motioned for us to drive straight to the front. We are thinking about taking her with us everywhere we go from now on. Haha.’
Rachel… “Way to go Mark! Glad you ladies and guys are having fun.”
Amanda… “Omg. That is funny.”
Deb… ‘Your mom HATES that we did that. Haha. Clint and I are going to the ZZ Top concert. I told her; we are going to take you with us so we can get better parking. Ha.’
Rachel… “Haha. I bet so. It’s okay. She shouldn’t walk too much, anyway.”
Amanda… “That is so awesome. Enjoy! It is a beautiful night.”
Deb… ‘Yes, it is. Thanks! We will have fun. I think Luisa said it best… It’s going to be happy times and good memories.’
We had such a good time at ‘The Royals’ game. There were lots of laughs and lots of chatting. If you want to know what the score was, you are going to have to ask one of the guys. They were the only ones who watched the game. As for the girls… We talked about everything except work. And that is how it should be.
Sunday afternoon text…
“Did you know it’s going to be 90 degrees in Vegas on the days that we are there?”
‘Holy crap!’
“I know! I will be sitting by the pool. Maybe I will get a drink too.”
‘Now, I feel bad for not going.’
“You will be there with us. We’ll get you on FaceTime or on the iPad.”
‘You girls will have to go to ‘Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville’ and have a margarita. They are so good.’
“Ok. If it’s not too far from our hotel. Wait… We don’t have one yet. Lol.”
‘Oh boy! Living on the edge. I can’t believe you haven’t booked your hotel yet. So how are you feeling today?’
“Good.”
‘I can’t believe you are at ‘The Royals’ game, AGAIN. Two times in one week! You and Amanda have fun.’
“We will. Thanks.”
Monday, September 19th…
“Thanks for taking the lead today at school. I appreciate it. I am at home and resting now. I am so tired. Thankfully, we were in the shade the whole time. We sat on the 1st base side. It was a good game.”
‘It’s not a problem. If you need to rest, just say so. Glad you had some shade, otherwise it would have been miserable. Those afternoon games can be hot. I’m guessing they won?? I bet you are tired.’
“Yes, they won. I think we had three home runs. Yes, I am very tired.”
‘Why don’t you stay home and rest tomorrow. I got it.’
“Nope.”
‘You are stubborn.’
“Just a little. I will be ok for tomorrow. If not, I will let you know.”
‘I finished the letter to our parents about the care packages. Just so you know… I can’t write anything short and simple. So, it’s a little longer than I had planned. I tried to explain why we need these items for our bags. I felt it would help the parents understand a little more. I’ll send it to you by email. Look at it and tell me what you think.’
A few minutes later…
“It looks good. The ‘December 2014 and having stage 4 breast cancer’ part, I like how you worded it. Do we want to include that the ‘Jesus Calling’ book can be found at Hobby Lobby? It runs about $8.00 but you can use a 40% off coupon there. We can also add to our list… Stocking caps and lightweight/heavyweight socks. If you want. I think it sounds awesome. Thanks.”
‘Ok.’
‘Good.’
“What are you doing right now that makes your answers so far apart?”
‘I’m cooking. I didn’t know I was being slow with my texts.’
“I’m just kidding. You are fine. Are you making some sides? Lol”
‘Ha. Ha. Ha. Do rolls count as a side?’
“Yes, they do.”
There’s a funny story that the girls at work like to tease me about. They have given me a hard time about this for years. I guess I will go ahead and tell you the story and explain the humor they find in it.
A few years back, Clint was working out of town. Brandi no longer lived at home, so it was just me and my teenage son. When Clint is out of town, we do things a little different. Let’s just say… We take the simpler approach. What I mean is, easy meals. Some nights we would have cereal for dinner. I don’t see a problem with that. Sometimes, cereal sounds good. Other nights, we would have a regular meal. The only difference is, I would fix the main course and forget about the sides. I didn’t feel the need to cook a big meal. Like I said, it was just the two of us. I didn’t care and neither did Chase. Oh sure, we had evenings where we had sides. I would fix French fries or whip up some applesauce. Okay, that last part isn’t quite true. I would put the cup of applesauce on the table. On Wednesdays, we would go out to a nice restaurant to eat. I called this… Date night with my son. This was the only night where mealtime wasn’t rushed to get back to playing video games. We could sit, talk, order a nice meal (with sides) and spend time together. It was nice.
One day at work I shared a story about our dinner. This was after Clint had returned home. I really should learn to keep my mouth shut, because my coworkers think my life is so funny. Just know… It took me a while to get back into the old routine.
When Clint has a job out of town, that job can last a few months. I am saying this in my defense. Hence, the routine part. So, the job is done, and Clint is home. That means… No more cereal for dinner. At least not for him. He doesn’t know what he is missing out on. It also means no more popcorn for dinner, no snacking, and no more simple meals. I have to go back to cooking REAL meals.
My story…
Clint’s first night home. I fix dinner and set it on the table. I sit down and start to eat. He looks up from his plate and says… “What? No sides??” I responded with… Are you kidding me? I have to make sides again??
“Well, yeah. You’re supposed to have sides with your meal.”
I explained to him that Chase and I didn’t need any sides and neither one of us really cared. Clint informed me, he cared.
Well, you guessed it… I’m back to making sides.
So, I share this story with the girls. They thought it was hilarious. If I say ANYTHING about cooking dinner, going out to dinner or even the word… Dinner, they have to bring up poor Clint. “Did he get sides with his meal? Did you let him order sides?” HA. HA. HA. You people are so freaking funny!! Oh, you bet, they bring it up to him too. They even brought him some ‘sides’ one day. Like he’s going to starve. Ha!
‘Hey, how much is your electric bill?’
“I don’t know. Why?”
‘Mine is outrageous!’
‘I’ll check and let you know what ours is. I just took 2 pain killers, so I will hopefully be out soon.”
‘Are you supposed to take two?’
“Yes, I can. And I did. My lower back hurts so bad from coughing.”
‘Oh, ok. You were making me nervous. Why don’t you stay home tomorrow?’
No answer. She is either already asleep or she’s ignoring me. Laura will be at work tomorrow. Guaranteed.
Group text with Amanda and Rachel…
Amanda… “I am working on the application today.
Rachel… “Awesome.”
Deb… ‘Let me know if you need any help.’
Amanda… “I need the picture to upload with my email. Can one of you send it to me.”
Rachel… “Yes, I can.”
Deb… ‘Your mom was telling Stacey at the game the other day, how much she wanted to go see Ellen.’
Amanda… “Oh geez! No pressure.”
Deb… ‘Don’t worry. It will be great. Write from your heart.’
Amanda… “Ok. Thank you. There is a 1500 word maximum. I am trying to keep some stuff cut down and talk about the important stuff. Things like, helping out at school, showing her support to others.”
Rachel… “Be sure you say this is her third time with cancer.”
Deb… ‘Amanda, do you know about the care packages? I’m sure you do. There is a letter we are going to put with them. I can send it to you so you can get some inspiration from that. Your mom wrote something from her heart. Be sure you say that we are going to collect items with our pre-k class to go in these care bags.’
Amanda… “Yes, I mentioned that. I haven’t seen the note yet. I will include all that in my letter.”
Laura and I sent our donation letter home with each child that following day at preschool. We stayed after work and decorated our boxes to set outside our door. Since some of our kids join us from the upstairs daycare, we decided to set up a box outside the office door as well. We decorated our boxes with pink and white paper and of course a pink bow.
Laura and I were a little nervous on how well this would go. We were wanting to show the children there is always a way to show care and compassion. Our goal was to receive enough items to put together 17 bags. That way each child would have enough to fill their own sack. Laura and I talked about how we could purchase the remaining items to complete our list and how we could reuse these items for both of our classes. We have a Monday/Wednesday class and a Tuesday/Thursday class. Our largest class has 17 children which is the reason for our goal.
Laura was excited about our kindness project and so was I. The children were excited too. In their eyes, they would be helping Ms. Laura by helping her cancer friends. And believe me, they were eager to help.
Our letter is out, and our fingers are crossed. I hope this project goes well.
Two days later.
Group text with Amanda and Rachel…
Amanda… ‘I posted the list of items you need for the care packages on Facebook and Instagram. I thought it would be a good way to ask for more donations.”
Deb… ‘Cool deal. I heard someone else posted our letter too.’
Amanda… “She is making a difference (Smiley face).”
Deb… ‘Oh boy! It’s out in the social media world for everyone to see. It’s a good thing Brandi had me add all those commas. She is my grammar patrol. She will flip out when she sees all those words, I left capitalized. Haha. I can’t help it. I like it that way.’
Amanda… “Oh, I didn’t notice. I just feel this needs to be shared. Kindness is contagious.’
Deb… ‘We appreciate it.’
Amanda… “I didn’t tell my mom about putting this on Facebook, so just let this be between us.”
Deb… ‘Okay. We decided to pass our letter out to the entire childcare program. Letters went out with all the kids upstairs too.’
Amanda… “Ok, perfect.”
Rachel… “We are going to do it here in Des Moines too. I am going to talk to the student council person next week when homecoming is over and see if we can try and collect as well.”
Deb… ‘Oh boy! Your mom is going to cry like a baby.’
Rachel… “I sent it to my friend at Lathrop High to see if they can collect items.”
Amanda… “Perfect. I am going to edit my post and try to put an Ellen hint in.”
Deb… ‘We could use some small gift bags to put this stuff in. That would be great if you could add that.’
Rachel… “I wonder if Hallmark or Target would donate some.”
Amanda… “I am working on the Ellen thing now.”
Deb… ‘Good. We are going to have our kids at school put the items in the bags for us. We are also going to have them make cards and pictures to add to each bag.’
Rachel… “I like that.”
Amanda… “Great. Debbie, we need to set up a bin at the church to help collect items, so people don’t have to mail them in.”
Deb… ‘We have two boxes set up, one upstairs by the office and one by our room. Who knows, we might need something else. After this, we might need a truck!! Haha.’
Amanda… “People have already been asking where they can donate. I just emailed the pastor of the church to see if it’s okay to set up a bin in the lobby for the month of October.”
Deb… ‘I may have to end up telling your mom, so we can take care of all these arrangements ourselves. I don’t’ want anyone to tell us… What are you doing? Why are you doing this? I don’t want anyone to knock this down. This is something your mom and I are doing. I don’t want it to get ruined.’
Amanda… ‘I agree. Sounds good.”
Deb… “I’m not trying to sound mean. I just don’t want anyone to tell us we can’t do this, it’s too much trouble. That would really upset your mom.”
Amanda… “I understand. Hey, I just emailed you both the letter I’m going to submit to ‘The Ellen show’. Make corrections or elaborate. We are at about 600 words.”
A few minutes later…
Deb… ‘You did wonderful! It made me teary. I’m touched that you put my words in this. It makes me feel like I’m a little part of the giving back to her.’
Amanda… “They worked perfectly. I feel that this is all of us. I am excited about all these donations. She will be so surprised.”
Deb… ‘Oh, I know she will be. I am overwhelmed by it.’
Amanda… “I am a little too. This will mean so much to someone, knowing it is coming from another cancer survivor.”
Deb… ‘We are going to have to tell her. Someone might say something to her, and she won’t know what’s going on.’
Amanda… “It will be ok. It’s for a good cause. She will be just as overwhelmed.”
Laura came to work that Thursday morning. I could tell the week was starting to wear her down. She still had that nasty cough and honestly, she didn’t sound that good. She called me on her drive in to tell me she was going to be a few minutes late. She was having a hard time getting ready, and slow to get out the door. I tried to tell her to stay home, but that conversation didn’t get us anywhere. At 9:15 she walked thru our classroom door. You didn’t need to ask any questions, you could tell by looking at her, she was already beat.
1:30 P.M…
‘Stay home tomorrow. Please!! You need to feel better so you will be ready for your trip.’
“I will be fine. Quit worrying about me. I will be ok. I only have stage 4 cancer. Lol.”
Really Laura?? See… This is the kind of stuff she tells me. That woman is going to push through this sickness, no matter what.
Afternoon text…
“Are you busy right now?”
‘Just left Kohl’s. Why? What’s up?’
“Can you help me with something?”
‘Ok.’
“Can you vacuum out my car? Please.”
‘Haha. You can’t stand it, huh?’
“Nope. I’m resting now. I got one side cleaned and the trunk.”
‘Okay. I can be there in a few minutes.’
“I can meet you at the car wash over by your house. The one on 291. I have to go to my mom’s and to CVS. I need to get out.”
‘Do you need me to go by CVS for you? I’m at 39th and Lee’s Summit Road.’
“No, it’s ok. I can go. I need to finish up the other side. Give me like 15 minutes and then meet me there. I will text you when I am leaving.”
‘Ok. Let me know.’
I met Laura at the car wash and vacuumed out her entire car. I don’t know why she thought it needed it. It was cleaner than most the cars I see. I did what she asked and soon she was on her way.
“Thank you for cleaning my car.”
‘You’re welcome.’
Friday morning was almost a repeat of Thursday. Laura sent a text saying she was running late and then asked me to meet her in the parking lot once she arrived. She wanted to tell me her ankles were swelling and that she didn’t feel right. Laura was frustrated. She was angry. She said… “I know something is wrong.”
Laura made it an hour and a half before she needed to leave. She didn’t look right. She didn’t feel right. We begged her to call the doctor. From the information she was telling us, it sounds like she has fluid once again on her lung. She had all they symptoms they told her to watch out for. In the parking lot, she told me… “I have a feeling it’s my lung. I feel the same way I did last time. I don’t want it drained again. Why is this happening to me?”
I encouraged her to see what the doctor said. I said… ‘Let the doctor decide’. She made her phone call and they told her to come right in. I offered to go with her, but she knew I needed to stay with our class. She asked Kathy if she would go with her this time. She didn’t want to go alone. Before they left, Stacey and I asked them to keep us informed. I will let these text messages tell you the rest…
Amanda was at work, so I sent her a text letting her know what was going on.
‘Your mom went to the doctor’s office. She might need to have her lung drained again. Kathy is with her.’
“Ok. Thanks for letting me know. Was her oxygen off today?”
‘I don’t know the answer to that question.’
“Did my mom come to school today? Did she not look good?”
‘Yes, she did. She looked tired. Her ankles were swollen. She was getting upset because she knew they would have to drain her lung again.’
“I know. I am worried about the swelling though.’
‘She had me look at her ankles. They were swollen a little, but not too bad.’
“Ok. I will see what I can find out.”
At 11:07 Amanda called the doctor’s office. She left a message for someone to return her call. Twenty minutes later, Amanda texted me back…
“They are sending her to the ER. It could be a possible heart issue or blood clot.”
‘Oh no!’
“I am leaving work now.”
‘Let me know if you need anything. I will come by when I can.’
“Ok. Thanks. Debbie, I am so worried.”
I think we all were. When preschool was over, I drove to the hospital. I sent Amanda a text letting her know I was there…
‘I am here at the Emergency Room if you need me. I am actually sitting outside just to the left of the doors. The waiting room is crazy busy.’
“Ok. Thanks. The doctor is in here now. She has had an x-ray and an EKG for her high heart rate.’
“Her heart rate is always high. Plus, she is nervous.’
Within a few minutes, Jared and Amanda came outside. They gave me a quick update on what the doctor said. They are going to do some more tests and decide if they are going to keep her overnight. Amanda was scared. You could see it in her eyes. I told her I was going home and if she needs me, she could call.
Text from Amanda…
“The CT scan is done. We don’t have the results yet. The x-ray shows stable from the last x-ray, so they don’t want to drain the effusion. (The liquid off the lung.) I will let you know about the other results.”
‘Well, that should make her a little happier. Thanks for letting me know. Hang in there, Amanda. Thinking of you.’
“Thanks. I am praying for good results. This is not how I wanted Friday to go. She is wanting to go to Iowa with us.”
‘I know. Is this the scan that they were going to do on Monday?’
“Yes, but that one has contrast and does her chest and abdomen. So, I wonder??”
‘If she is worried, remind her of Psalm 91. She will understand.’
“Yes. I will. She is sleeping right now. Her heart rate is 110. I just don’t see what it could be.”
‘I don’t either. I figured she was going to have her lung drained for sure.’
Ten minutes later…
“They are making her stay. Her CT scan is worse. Spreading disease. They are concerned that it may be inflammation. They are going to treat her for pneumonia. She has to stay here in the hospital.”
‘The cancer is spreading?? Or the fluid?’
“The cancer. The fluid is just there.”
‘Oh wow.’
“She keeps telling me to go to Iowa. She really wants me to go.”
‘Amanda, do what you have peace about. That is how I always make my decisions. I can stay with her. Does she know the results?’
“Yes. She is upset. I feel bad for Rachel. She is in Iowa by herself. I know she was expecting us to come. She is worried about Mom too.”
‘Is anyone there with your mom? I can come up if she wants me to.’
“It is just me and her. She said, you can come up.”
‘Okay. Tell her I am running by work. I will let Kathy and Luisa know what is going on. I’ll come by after that.’
“Ok. We are still in the ER.”
I went to the Emergency Room to sit with Laura. I told Amanda I would give her a break. Laura had this pissed-off look on her face. I didn’t say anything because I knew it wouldn’t do any good. She was mad she had to miss her trip. She was mad she was in the hospital. She was mad at another thing cancer has taken away. Amanda and I talked around her as she rolled over and closed her eyes. “I don’t know what to do,” Amanda said. “Mom thinks I should go.”
This weekend was supposed to be a family trip to Iowa to see Rachel. They all were leaving tonight. They had plans to go to the pumpkin patch and spend the weekend together. To say Laura was a little mad… Well, that’s an understatement. She has been looking forward to this trip all week.
Amanda told me her mom insisted that they go on without her, but Amanda was worried to leave her mom. That’s when Laura rolled over and joined in our conversation. “Dad will be here. I will be fine. I want you to go be with Rachel. Take the kids to the pumpkin patch. You can send me pictures.” Amanda was still on the fence about what to do. She was worried about her mom, and she was worried about her dad. After a lengthy conversation, I offered up a suggestion. I offered to stay the night with Laura. That is, if she wanted me to. I said… Would it make you feel better if I stay with her? If your mom wants me to stay here with her, I will. That way your dad can go home and rest. Laura convinced Amanda that she would be alright and said she would appreciate it if I stayed. That seemed to ease Amanda’s mind. I promised the girls I would keep them updated. I told them if anything happened, they could always turn around and come back home. Right now, it looks like they are just going to be monitoring her, anyway.
I sat with Laura for the rest of the afternoon and Amanda went home to pack. I stayed at the hospital until David returned with some of Laura’s personal belongings. He was surprised to find her still waiting in the ER for a room. The nurse told us the hospital was busy, and a room was not yet available. They were hoping one would be ready soon.
David and I talked while Laura slept. I told him I promised the girls I would stay the night. I was going home to eat dinner and would be back in a little while. Before I left, the nurse came in to tell us they are cleaning a room and would be moving her soon. Right after that, the doctor came in to talk. I sent Amanda a text as soon as he left…
5:56 P.M…
‘They are cleaning a room now. She will be in room 322.’
“Ok. I don’t think that is the oncology floor. Have her check her phone. I sent her a picture of the kids.”
‘I think this is the first available room they have. The nurse said at one point, she may have to stay in one of the ER rooms because they have no open rooms available.’
“She will take whatever they give her. It will be much quieter than the ER.”
‘The Doctor just came in. He said, she does have a little pneumonia. Have you left yet?’
“Yes, we left. We are going to get something to eat in Kearney.”
‘Okay. Be careful.’
7:24 P.M…
“Does my mom have a room yet?”
‘I don’t know. You will have to ask your dad. I left about an hour ago. Her eyes were so heavy. She was so tired. I told your dad I would be back up after I eat.’
“Okay.”
7:49 text from Rachel…
“Hey, are you with my mom?”
‘I am going back up after I eat something.’
“Okay. I was just wondering. I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer.”
‘She’s not answering anyone. They are moving her to a room on the third floor.’
“Ok. Could you have her call me when you get there?”
‘Ok, I will.’
I went back up a little closer to nine. Laura was still waiting in one of the Emergency rooms. I asked David if he had heard anything, and he said they are supposed to be cleaning a room. Laura was in a lot of pain. David had been rubbing her back for quite a while. I asked if she was okay, and he said this emergency room bed is making her lower back hurt so bad. She has been lying here all day.
I sent the girls an update…
9:12 P.M…
Deb… ‘They still haven’t taken her to a regular room yet.’
Amanda… “What? That is ridiculous. How is she doing other than her back and sore butt? We are 20 miles to Rachel’s house.”
Rachel… “Why is it taking so long?”
Deb… ‘I don’t know. We haven’t heard anything.’
Laura left the preschool around 10:30 this morning and went to the hospital. At 9:30 this evening, they finally had an open room.
My group text…
Deb… ‘We are in a room now. She is beat!’
Amanda… “I bet. I hope she can get some rest.”
Deb… ‘Your dad just left. He needs to rest too. I told him I was going to stay with your mom tonight. So, listen… Don’t worry.’
Amanda… “Ok, Debbie. Thank you. Love you both.”
Rachel… “Ok. Thank you very much.”
Deb… ‘Not a problem. Love you girls too. Hey, I don’t have your dad’s phone number. I probably should have it.’
Rachel… “Ok. I will send it to you.”
10:06 P.M. text from Luisa…
“How is Laura?”
‘She is in a room now. She just had a breathing treatment. She was having a little bit of a hard time breathing. I am going to stay with her tonight.’
“Ok. Did David go home? I sent her a text earlier, but she hasn’t answered back. I didn’t know if she was sleeping.”
‘David just left. It took until 9:30 to get a room. I guess it’s very busy. She is not answering anyone. She doesn’t feel too good. She is tired and sore from that stupid ER bed.’
“I would say to try and get some rest, but that’s not going to happen there. Hospitals are always noisy. Tell her, I am thinking about her. Did Amanda make it to Iowa, okay?”
‘Amanda sent me a text just a little while back. She was 20 minutes away then. Laura is breathing better now.’
“That’s good. Thank you for being there for her. You are a blessing.”
‘Nope. Just a friend.’