Deidre Brownwood writes a letter to her friend, Louisiana Sandusky, after Louisiana has written to her. They both live in Nashville, and they both attend the same church, Christ Community Assembly of God.
Friday, June 24, 2005, 1:23 p.m., C.D.T.~
Dear Louie~
I enjoyed your latest letter; but I haven't been able to write until now. I am sorry. Raylee just got out of the hospital; she had appendicitis, and she was very sick after her appendix burst. She nearly died, she was so sick, and she was in for over three weeks, two of those in the PICU. Two times, while she was in the PICU, she had a "Code Blue" when she stopped breathing, and they had to do CPR on her; but they managed to bring her back both times, thank God!! It was a scary time for us, and we did an awful lot of praying; but God somehow brought her (and us) through, and Raylee is recovering (slowly, but she IS on the mend!). She had something called "peritonitis"; the doctor said that there was poison throughout her abdominal cavity, and this was what made her so sick; but after they drained the poisons out of her system and gave her loads of antibiotics, she finally started responding, and now she is home, praise God!!
I loved the picture of Ronee' 's kitty, "Cajun"! She is sure a fat, furry thing, isn't she?? I bet she keeps Ronee' 's toes warm during the winter nights, and I bet Ronee' enjoys it! How is Ronee' doing, by the way? I heard that she was going to have hip replacement surgery. How did that go, and is she still in the hospital, or is she home? I hope she is home! Please tell Ronee' that I say I hope that she feels better, and give her a (gentle) hug from me! My other kids are well, but they were so scared when Raylee was so sick...they prayed like nobody's business, and I guess God must have heard them because Raylee is still with us, and she is now on the mend! :) How is Johnny doing? I heard he had medical tests done about the same time Ronee' had her surgery. What were the tests for, and what were the results? I hope and pray it wasn't anything serious; I shall be praying extra hard for little Johnny as well!
It sure sounds like you had a wonderful time in Greece! I am glad you got to go! I wish I could go somewhere, but the kids keep me grounded, and I don't have much time to do a lot. My life is boring compared to yours, and it doesn't help that I am so darned painfully shy!
How is your summer going so far? Have you done anything exciting? (I already know the answer to that one, so DON'T ask! You went to GREECE of all places! ARGGGH!! I am like, SOOOO JEALOUS!! LOL) We have gone to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and we went to the Grand Ole Opry, and we also went to Memphis to see my daddy (he has been sick himself; he has multiple sclerosis, and it's progressed to the point to where he needs crutches in order to walk), and he was glad to see us, as was mommy. We also went to a rib festival while we were in Memphis, and we all had a marvelous time and pigged out on ribs! LOL *OINK* WE ate like PIGGIES!!! LOL *OINK* What exciting things are lined up the pike for the Sanduskys? I am all ears; please don't leave out any details! I just LOVE hearing all the gory details of happenings in other people's lives! LOL
Well, I have to help Raylee to the bathroom; she is still pretty weakened, and she is receiving therapy to help build up her strength. She is also using a walker because the sickness and the surgeries took so much out of her. It will be a while before she is back to speed. Just keep her (and us) in your prayers; that is why you haven't seen us at church! We hope to return sometime in the next week or so, depending on how Raylee is doing. Until I hear from you again, you take care, and may God shower His blessings and mercy upon y'all!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend here in Nashville, Deidre Brownwood. :)
I have enclosed a picture of my daughter in the PICU. As you can see, she was a very sick young lady; but God has brought her through. I still cry when I see that picture, but now I can also rejoice because she is still with us, and she is now HOME and out of the hospital!! :)
Friday, June 24, 2005, 1:23 p.m., C.D.T.~
