Tuesday, August 30, 2011

After The Storm: Que Sera, Sera

After a hurricane it's amazing how calm, still and beautiful everything is, including the destruction.
The temps are warm, Billboards on the island bridge are ripped and crashed and left floating in the marshes, yet they look like a modern sculptures rising up like a Phoenix from the ashes.

The sun shines blindingly bright, and the colors are more intense now that the gray is gone. Even the downed trees have a certain beauty in their chaos.

The same can be said for what's going on with my mom.

When I finally made it through the traffic, off the expressway & back to the hospital around 12:30 yesterday afternoon yesterday, my mother's eyes were open and she was cognisant and attempting to talk back to me - except she couldn't because she still was connected to the vent.

The Doctors were shocked that she was no longer in septic shock.
And last night when I left, they'd given her pain meds and she was snoring through her breathing & feeding tubes.

If all goes well today, they will remove her breathing tube.

Yesterday afternoon I held her hand, sang Rhianna's "Umbrella" song very badly (because for some reason, my mom likes Rhianna,) and my voice - which only a mother could love.
But mostly I talked about how amazing she's doing, and I'd sing bits of her favorite song - The very same song she'd sing to me as little girl while she was brushing my hair:

When I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother, 'What will I be?
'Will I be pretty?
'Will I be rich?'
Here's what she said to me:

'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be;
'The future's not ours to see.
'Que sera, sera,
'What will be, will be.

When I grew up and fell in love,
I asked my sweetheart, 'What lies ahead?
'Will we have rainbows
'day after day?'
Here's what my sweetheart said:

'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be;
'The future's not ours to see.
'Que sera, sera,
'What will be, will be.'

Now I have children of my own,
They ask their mother, 'What will I be?
'Will I be handsome?
'Will I be rich?'
I tell them tenderly:

'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be;
'The future's not ours to see.
'Que sera, sera,
'What will be, will be.'
(finale)QUE SERA SER

I'm on my way to the hospital now, and while I still believe she has more rounds to fight and that there is more work to be done - Your continued positive thoughts, vibes, and prayers are indeed working! My hope still floats, and the glass is remains half full.

If today is a better day than yesterday - Then it will be a wonderful day.

And I thank you all from the bottom of my imperfect pancreas for how you've ALL been there for us!
I don't know what we would do without you!

UPDATE: They have removed her vent. She's on a ang tube for meds and oxygen. Her vocal cords are very bruised and she has thrush. She's still on antibiotics & they put her on some morphine for pain this afternoon after they removed the vent and put the ang tube through her nose, so she's very groggy and very sleepy. . She's having a belly catscan today at 2:30.

Belly catscan was fine, blood gasses are normal, she told me to hurry up and get home because I had a long drive and physical therapy starts tomorrow.

Today was a good day!

20 comments:

Penny said...

Good news! The sun shines brightest after the storm. You both made it through. Here's to continued progress sweetie.! Talk to you soon <3

Araby62 (a.k.a. Kathy) said...

Wonderful news Kelly :-)

Amy@Diapeepees said...

What great news...I'm so glad she's awake now and a lot of the danger is over.

Rachel said...

So so glad things are looking up, even with a long road ahead still. :)

Val said...

great news! (((hugs!)))

Unknown said...

*hugs and continued good vibes* Big love to you both.

Kim said...

Big hugs and happy thoughts continue to head your way, Kelly.

Meri said...

Taking steps in the right direction is a beautiful thing! Each victory should be celebrated! Praying will continue! Hugs!

Valerie said...

Good thoughts! When I was 16, my mom almost died...she had a routine surgery but the doctor made a mistake and nicked her bowel, which caused her to go into septic shock. Luckily (or miraculously) everything turned out OK, but it was a long battle for her on the path to getting better. I'll be thinking of you and your mom!

NeurosurgeryNP said...

Great news! Continued thoughts and prayers sending your way

Mike Hoskins said...

Oh, Kelly. That is very good news that makes my heart smile. Will continue praying, and am just so glad to hear of the progress. Keeping you all in our thoughts, my friend.

Aliza Chana said...

Kelly, what wonderful news! I'm so happy that she is off of the vent, and hopefully with her being off of the vent now and being awake, things will be much easier. I'm happy that you both made it through the storm safely! You, your mom, and your family will continue to be in my prayers! I hope that the ng tube isn't too irritating to her and is a temporary thing! Those are not fun, but necessary at times, and can be so helpful. (hugs) <3 Lots of love, prayers, good vibes and thoughts, and hope for good progress!

shannon said...

thanks for keeping us posted! continued good thoughts your way.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic news Kelly!
The love and hugs continue being sent your way.
Mac.

Colleen said...

Oh yeah!!
My mom sang that to me, also.
Hugs for all of you and of course, the prayers.

Renata said...

Wonderful to hear there is progress. Thinking of you.

Scott Strange said...

That is such great news, Kelly. I was in that very same situation 6 months ago with my mom (substitute a blizzard for the hurricane) and I know the relief that any good news can bring. Keep doing what you're doing and we'll keep up the prayers and good thoughts!

Jamie Naessens said...

Your good news was the BEST NEWS EVER! I'm so glad your mom is weathering her own hurricane and that you weathered yours. And you even brought tears to my eyes as I read it (Que Sera Sera did me in!) Here's to more smooth sailing for your Mom!

Jess said...

what an amazing, beautiful post! had to go find the kleenex!

so happy your mom is doing well! my mom and i are really close too, and i can't even imagine how hard this has been for you. still sending prayers and love your way! <3

Unknown said...

OH KELLY!!!!!!

This is the best news I've read all day! I'm so excited, thrilled, over the top with joy!

YAY!!!!!!!

Prayers continue, and HOPE remains.