A tired Louisiana writes to her friend in Alaska after spending a good chunk of the day at the hospital with her son, who had tests.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 6:48 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Jenna Aurora--
Hello! Thank you for your e-mail, which arrived in my inbox today while I was away. It was good to hear from you again!
I just got home from the muscular dystrophy clinic with Johnny, and we are both exhausted. Johnny had a very hard day today: he had bloodwork, an EMG (electromyogram), heart and breathing tests, X-rays, a cat scan, and an MRI, to name a "few". We were at the clinic from ten this morning until at least four thirty this afternoon.
I don't know anything yet, but I am glad the tests are overwith. Poor Johnny was crying through some of the more painful testings, and it bothered me that I couldn't be with him. I could hear his piercing, heartrending cries through the door, in the waiting room, and it ripped my heart near to pieces! I wanted nothing more than to go in there and tell the doctors to stop torturing my son; it was more than I could bear!
Johnny is now in bed, sleeping off the effects of his testings, and I am sure that he will be back to his "normal" self before tomorrow. I know I won't be far from his side tomorrow; he needs his mommy right now! I want to do all I can to support him during this difficult time! I just wonder what the test results will show; hopefully, he isn't getting worse (but I somehow think he is).
It sounds like you are settling in at your new church. Good for you, Jenna! I am glad that you are getting out and are making new friends. That is wonderful to hear! I am glad, too, that Michael is there for you; you are so blessed to have found a lovely, caring man! :)
The temps today were in the fifties, and it was a pretty, pleasant sunny day. I couldn't enjoy it, however; I was holed up at the MDA clinic with Johnny while he underwent his stupid tests, and all I could do was sit there and worry (and at times cry). I tried to be positive about this whole experience, but all I could think of (besides Johnny, of course) was that I hoped Bill didn't forget to make supper by the time we got back from the MDA clinic! (He didn't. He made stuffed peppers, which were very good. Bill is a wonderful cook! :) ) The weather there in Alaska sounds brutal; BRRR, you made my blood turn to ice when you mentioned the frigid temperatures! BRRRR!!
Jenna, the prayers for Johnny and Ronee' are very much appreciated, but they aren't the only children I have! I happen to have fifty-one others who need just as much attention from me and Bill (if not, more so)! I have children who are totally dependent on our care (Jodie, Todd, Deborah, Roberto, etc.). I also have children who are just "coming up into the world" (Arjun) and they need daddy's and my guidance every day so they can grow into healthy, normal children. I am guilty of neglecting my other children because of Johnny and Ronee' whenever they happen to have a health crisis; I guess it is because that they were the first two children we took into our home, but I have to remember that they aren't theonly ones who need our undivided attention!
Jenna, I am sure that the all-red auroras you have seen recently have nothing to do with Johnny's situation; it is just a natural fluke is all! Why do you say that all-red auroras are "bad"? Is it an Inuit legend or something? I never heard of all-red auroras signaling misfortune and doom! (Kinda' scary, though, if you think about it...if I have nightmares tonight, I will know why! If I see an all-red aurora, I will positively freak!! (That picture, though, is stunning, I will say that much!!)
Well, as soon as I find out anything about Johnny's test results, you will be among the first to know! I will write in here again; stay tuned! In the meantime, just continue to pray for the family (and especially Johnny)! Thanks! God bless you always, and write soon!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :(
Poor Johnny, all the terrible things he has to endure! And poor Louie can't help, awful for her. An excellent heartbreaking write!
Love and hugs, Birgit and Roger
I have never heard the red auroras are bad. The color of auroras depend on what altitude they are at and what gases they have hit. Most are green and some rosy ribbons. I would think that all colors of auroras are special. Hope Johnny rests comfortably. Tough day for him. Thanks for the letter today, Karen Lynn.
Johnny's mama being forced to wait outside while the medics ran their tests just about ripped my heart out. As his primary caregiver, as a nurse, she should have I N S I S T E D on being present with him. No mama should listen to the cries of her child in pain...
A heartwrending, powerfully written piece; well done.
What a lovely letter...so descriptive, especially about Louie's pain as she heard Johnny crying through the door. My daughter had a dislocated elbow when she was a little girl, and I can still hear the cries and pleas for Mommy to make it stop hurting as the hospital staff tried to put it all back together. One of the worst evenings I ever had as a Mom. I read your book announcement! How terrific. I hope you'll let everyone know the minute it's available so we can line up for our copies! Love, Michelle
