Louie Sandusky, at home, recovering from recent back surgery, writes to her friend in California after Kendra has written her a small email.
Saturday, March 5, 2005, 10:40 a.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Kendra and Family~
Hi! How are you? Thank you so much for emailing me; but your letter was rather short! But I can see why; the kids are wearing you out! LOL The kids wear me out at times too, but since I have had my surgery and am currently recuperating at home, they have been nothing but a huge help to me. They are also trying their best to behave, which I really appreciate, because I really don't feel like dealing with a bunch of uncivilized Indians! LOL My hubby is waiting on me, hand and foot, and he won't let me lift a finger. Hmmm..I can get used to this; shades of when we were back on our cruise in Alaska last year! LOL
I am glad you are doing fairly well, but it is hard when one has a chronic disability like spina bifida: no matter how hard you try, it somehow rules every aspect of your life, and no matter how hard you want to be yourslf and be "NORMAL", it is next to impossible at times! I have two daughters who have spina bifida, and they have had their trials; but they are doing well at the present time. Hope it lasts! Those long marathon shifts spent in a hospital waiting room or visiting your ill little ones in post surg are NOT for the faint of heart! It isn't just with Deborah or Jamie: this has occurred with Johnny, Ronee', Todd, Jodie, and the other ones who are considered to be "seriously ill" or "medically fragile". I think I have spent the last five years of my life in hospitals with one kid or another as they battled back from yet another crisis, and at times I really can use a break! (Think I am getting it now, but it took major back surgery on my part to get it! [To tell you the truth, I'd much rather have an Alaskan cruise than to have back surgery; this is no way to spend a weekend morning, waddling around on a cumbersome walker or wearing a back brace that likes to bite and pinch me...*WEEOUCH*! Like it just did; felt like it took a good chunk of my skin right below my chest! OW! I *know* I am going to have a mark from it...])
It sounds like little Hopie is adjusting. It may take a while, but as long as you keep telling her that she is loved and that it is okay to feel scared and that you are there for her, she should settle down and assimilate her little self into your family. I am sure you are very good with her! She is a lucky little girl! I am counting the days until we get little Arjun and Rani from Sri Lanka; I heard from Rani, and I will write to her after I write to you. I am sure she will be tickled PINK to hear from her future mommy! We got a letter from her; she wrote us a letter (with help from an adult), and she was really excited! It took time for the majority of our kids to adjust to OUR family, but eventually, they fit in beautifully, like a well-made jigsaw puzzle!
How is the weather there in California? Has it FINALLY stopped raining? Here it is partly sunny, with highs in the 50's to lower 60's. And to think several days ago we were cold with temps in the 30's and we had SNOW! Crazy Tennessee weather! IT is so changable! But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world; at least it is cooler than Louisiana in the summertime! LOL It is just TOO hot there in summer, and if the heat doesn't get you, the bugs WILL. We have two sizes of maringuoins (mosquitoes) in Cajun Land: those who come in the house through the screen door, and those who will flat BUST out the screen door and get ya! LOL We have some really vicious mosquitoes in Louisiana: they leave huge welts on your skin that itch terribly, and if you are allergic to them, then you really suffer! It's BAD!! That is probably one of the reasons why Bill and I decided on moving to Tennessee because we couldn't take the mosquitoes, plus we were in mourning over the passing away of our three natural children. We had to get away from Louisiana; Louisiana just provided too many memories, and we couldn't deal with them at the time.
The nerve of which you are referring to (the one that gave me the most trouble) is the SCIATIC (pronounced 'SIGH ATTIC') nerve. It is the longest nerve in the human body; it goes from the lower back to the big toe on each foot; there's two of them, and if they get agitated or inflamed in any way, you KNOW it. It feels like someone is pouring hot battery acid down your legs, and there is nothing much that can kill the pain, short of powerful, pain-killing drugs (which can be addicting if you aren't careful) or in desperate situations, surgery. I have sciatic pain down both legs, but it has lessened since the surgery; but it may never go completely away. I have just learned to live with it and deal with it as best as I possibly can, and besides I have been too busy to get anything done--that is, up to now--; but then I really had no choice. If I hadn't had this surgery, I would have more than likely become paralyzed and end up in a wheelchair, just like you..on a permanent basis. So the situation was desperate at best, but ever since I have had my surgery just over a week ago (has it been a week ALREADY?? MY, oh, my!!), it hasn't been bothering me as much unless I sit on it wrong, and I don't seem to be having as much pain in my lower back or in my legs. Before this surgery, the disk was pushing on my nerve; this was why I was having so much pain and problems with my walking, and I would have to go to Dr. Harlowe's every so often and get shots to try to deaden the pain. You can imagine how *that* felt when he put the needle in. *OW* NOT fun!! But it would work for a while, and I was desperate for relief, ANY relief. And some relief is better than NONE, I always have said! :)
Well, I am going to have Bill give me a sponge bath (I STINK! PHEWIE!! LOL), so I will go now. I have bent your ear more than long enough; in fact, if you fall asleep while attempting to read this epic novel LOL I would NOT be the least surprised! My husband sometimes tells me I must have diarrhea of the mouth because my jaws are always flappin'! LOL NICE. I guess I have always been a "talker", so I guess I will always be one until the last breath leaves my body upon my death. (Then I bet everyone will say at my funeral, "FINALLY! Finally she has shut her mouth! Now we can hear ourselves THINK!" LOL) Take care, and give your daughters ((HUGS, Sandusky-style)) from me and the gang! Love and miss you all so much! God bless you too!
~Love, your chatterbox friend in Tennessee, Louie. :)
I agree with Pat, it would be very nice if we could all be so happy and cheerful in the face of our troubles. This is a very nice addition to your Ronee series. These letter stories are very good Karen...May the Lord be with you always, and constantly at your side. With much love, peace, & (((HUGS))) ... Barbie
Saturday, March 5, 2005, 10:40 a.m., C.S.T.~
