Tuesday, November 7, 2017

In The Blink of An Eye


In the blink of an eye. Before and After.

All those cliche sayings that seem so trite until you have your own before and after. One moment you are picking up the latest round of sticks and small tree limbs that have impelled your front yard from the last fierce wind and driving rain. Loading them into the wheelbarrow to add to the huge mound already piled next to your fire pit, wishing that the timer that you set for  thirty minutes would hurry up and sound so you could take a break and get a drink of water. The only way you get through this tedious task, is to do it in increments of half hours. Your watch rings, you have left your phone in the house, happy to be away from it for just a little while. You see it is your dad, he probably just wants to know if you need help with your leaves. You let it ring through to voice mail, knowing he would never hear you talking on your watch, and it seems too James Bond anyway.

Your dad leaves a voice mail, and your thirty minute timer sounds, so off to the house to get a drink and listen to the voice mail. As you walk towards the house another number rings on your watch, one you don't recognize, but you have a not so good feeling when you see it. You hurry faster to the house to get your phone, to listen to the voicemail.

Your dad's voice. Words... Mom, Emergency Room, Heart

You try to call him back, get nothing. You try that other number - the Hospital. Same words...Mom, Emergency Room, Heart.

Last week Thursday, my mother suffered a tear in her aorta artery. She was rushed to the heart center in the city, and emergency surgery was performed. New valve and a graft to replace the section of the aorta that had the tear. Thus far she is recovering well, and the doctors are pleased with her progress. Lots of unknowns at this point, but to add one more cliche to the story; we have a long road ahead.

28 comments:

CatieAn said...

Oh Sarah. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I pray she is improving every day and that your dad is well.
So stressful for all of you to worry about her. Prayers and thoughts are with you.

Angie Lambert Photography and Illustration said...

Life is like this, my friend. I’m sending prayers and well wishes for continued healing of your mom’s heart condition. xo

Carol said...

You and your mom have my prayers too. Please keep us posted.

Rachel Weishaar said...

I'm so glad your mom is recovering nicely, but I'm sorry for the pain it brought everyone in your family. Those "in the blink of an eye" moments are the scariest sometimes. Much love

Karen Lakis said...

First - I am so sorry this happened and am glad to hear that your mom is recovering. I wish her the strength that she will need to continue to get well.

Second - this is a beautifully written post. As I read, my heart was in my throat - and my sigh of relief was audible when I read of your mom's recovery.

I hope that the long road ahead of you will be as smooth as it can be.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

So sorry to hear your news but glad that your mother is on the mend.

Cathy H. said...

Yes, in the blink of an eye our lives can completely change. So glad that she is recovering nicely. Your whole family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jill said...

I'll pray for her. It is a GREAT blessing that she is on the road to recovery and was able to get to the hospital and through the surgery.

Helen said...

I'm very sorry to hear this. I can relate to the strange feeling with the number. I wonder how we instinctively know when all is not well. I once had the pull to phone my mum when I was abroad and I found out she was in coma. Take care x

Nancy said...

One phone call, one door knock....all can change in an instant. I am sorry about your mom but so thankful that she is recovering well...I will be praying for her and your family....Hugs

Eliza Waters said...

Relieved to hear your mother is recovering - so thankful for the miracles of modern medicine, not to be taken for granted. Wishing her a speedy recovery. Be well, stay centered!

cheryl Crotty said...

I know that feeling also...but I'm so glad that your Mom will recover. I always tell my kids that they won't know when something important happens because no one has a land line anymore. I guess in some cases, at least during the day, the cell phone is a better choice...Let's hope nothing happens in the middle of the night...Sending prayers and hugs to you and your Mom.

Unknown said...

Lifting you up in prayer my dear friend, I know how hard this journey is with an aging parent.

Michelle B said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am glad she is recovering, the idea of 'a long road ahead' is a daunting one... Sending hugs and prayers to her and your family.

Unknown said...

Praying for you and your family.

susan hemann said...

so sorry, praying for you and your family! I can just imagine your fear and anxiety when you received that call

Katie said...

Oh my goodness, Sarah, so, so sorry to hear your news. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Unknown said...

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, Sarah.
I am so glad to hear that your Mom is recovering,

Barbara Marincel said...

Wonderful post, Sarah. I’ll be keeping you, your family, and of course your mom in my prayers. What terrible moments those must have been until you found out your mom survived...but yes, you have a long road ahead.
I really identify with what you said about life changing in a moment. I was 24 when my dad died suddenly of a heart attack and I couldn’t get over the fact that one moment I was being silly and having fun and the next, I got a phone call from my mom and my life has never been the same. I guess it’s something we all find out sooner or later.

Please let us know how your mom is doing. Sending hugs...

Nicki said...

Hope your mom is recovering well. More cliches- there is never a good time for emergencies- and time heals. Prayers and good thoughts for your mom and family

Carola Bartz said...

I am so sorry, Sarah. My heart goes out to you, and I do hope that your mom will recover quickly. I am thinking of you.

Ida said...

Oh how scary. - I hope your mom recovers soon. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

Amy said...

oh I'm so sorry to hear that, sending prayers and good thoughts, hope she's on the mend.

Suburban Girl said...

Oh my, I am so glad she was able to be helped and yes, so much happens in the blink of an eye. Good wishes for her recovery.

Electric | Journal said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mom, Sarah. This kind of call is never pleasant, or easy. I hope your mom recovers quickly... you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandra said...

I do hope that your mother will continue to make a good and complete recovery. Yes, things can happen in a second without warning. The main thing is that your mum is healing. Sending you positive thoughts.

John braham said...

That is really nice to hear. thank you for the update and good luck. That is really nice to hear. thank you for the update and good luck.

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