Tottie Ruth Weatherspoon is back in her beloved Australia, and she is trying to cope with the continuing ramifications of her amputation and living with a physical disability.
Monday, 14 August, 2007, Sydney, Australia~
Dear Journal~
G'day, mate! T'is I, Tottie Ruth Weatherspoon! I am home, home in me beloved Australia! YAY!! :) Me life may no longer be the same, as it once was, but at least the bloody hospital stay is behind me!
Me family met me at the aeroport. Tears all around, but I think me mum was more upset at seeing the wheelchair, and seeing me gam gone. I guess the reality of what happened to me finally hit home with her.
Ever since, me mum won't let me do anything. I tell her I'm not a infant, yet she refuses to let me out of her sight. She won't even let me go back to work at the store; she's afraid I am going to end up injuring myself all the more. Very frustrating, that! I'm not a child; I'm a grown woman!
Dad has been better at handling over what's happened to me better than mum has. He's as bothered by the amputation as she, but at least he's willing to let me go out with friends on the week ends if they want to take me clubbing. I've gone clubbing a few times since I got back, it's starting to feel like the good old days of yore, before all of this happened.
I may now be in a wheelchair; yet that's not stopping me chums from gettin' me out on the dance floor. It isn't long before the pulse-pounding technodance music and the flashing strobe lights make me forget of me lot. I'm soon having a bonzer fine time. I look forward to those times when I can go clubbing with me mates! :)
I have gone and see me regular doctor; he says me stump looks good and is healing well. Maybe so, but I wish he could do something about this nagging phantom pain! I'm about to go mad; I don't sleep well at night because the pain jerks me awake in the middle of the night! Very annoying, that!
I have to go now; me mum's drivin' me batty crazy with her constant hovering over me. If she doesn't stop soon, I may end up saying something she and I will both regret! Take care and pip, pip cheerio! Toodles!
Tough way to have to adjust to an amputation. I can understand the mom wanting to hover, but I can understand Tottie being driven crazy by it all. Very realistic and interesting. Liz
A very touching write my friend...such a sad part of life that seems to be happening more frequently. My son in laws mother is scheduled to have her toe and part of her foot amputated next week due to diabetes problems...I pray that this will take care of the problem, but she is possibly looking at loosing her foot...your journal entries always relate to real life situations...making them even more believable, well done my friend! Write on!
Blessings,
Joyce B.
I truly love this character Karen and I think you should work on developing her whole recovery up to and even including dating and a boyfriend. It may be time for even a little adult (semi restricted) play to come into this poor girl's life and although it is a subject not often written about disabled people do have sex. Anyway I am rambling but just some ideas.
hugs
Fee
Reviewed by Victor Buhagiar
8/13/2007
Another great caharacter, complete with Aussie dialect. Victor
You've managed to quill the Aussie brogue to perfection! Tottie's attitude is good, she's very independent, and she should remain this way...those who love her need to let her do things on her own. If she needs a helping hand, she'll let them know...it is very important for amputees to build strength in their working limbs as well as in their spirits...Thanks for the journal entry today, Karen Lynn...be well, you and Karla...
Tottie's attitude seems to have improved; good on her! Gettin' out, havin' fun, being h o m e. All condusive to healing. :) Well done, Karen, well done!
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