Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:01 p.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Journal~

It's me, your (bedridden) friend, Louisiana. I am not having an easy time of having to stay in bed, particularly when my kids keep crying or asking for me. I am to stay in bed until the time of the delivery of the twins; my doctor is afraid that if I fall, they'll come early, and it has been a proven fact that premature boys do not do as well as premature girls. I don't want to put my boys through all that hell, so I am staying low for a while.

If I do have to get out of bed or go anywhere, I have to use a wheelchair. No walking allowed for me. It's a pain; I am starting to have flashbacks to the time of my accident when I was nine; spent a lot of time in a wheelchair back then, and it's as though I am (sort of) reliving that time in my life all over again. If I have to go potty, I have to use the port-a-potty; it's sitting right by the bed, looking at me with all its whiteness. *grins*

My poor dog, "Cajun Gold", wants me to get out of bed; she keeps running from the bed to the door, whining piteously.  It's really heartbreaking! She has to understand that it's the doctor's rules, not mine.

I am having a nice break from work, but it's not going to pay the bills. Bill will have to get my check tomorrow when he goes to the store. He got paid yesterday, and already the check will be gone. It will be for groceries and paying the bills. Seems that we hardly have any left over for us.

I am on medical/maternity leave from work for a year, in case you haven't already heard.

Vincente, our little foster child, is here, and he is a sweet little boy, very shy in nature, and cute as all get out. He has huge brown eyes that  miss little, and he has beautiful curly dark-brown hair and olive-toned skin; his Italian-American heritage is clearly evident. He does cry at night; one wonders what the little guy must have endured before he came to us. It boggles the mind; and it  makes tears come to my eyes. Little children shouldn't have to go through adult problems in their lives!

The kids all love Vincente; they argue over whose turn it is to help him. I will be glad when Tuesday comes; it will be the first day of school here in Nashville, and it will be quiet around the house! That is going to be sooo wonderful! Now maybe that I am home I can catch up on my writing or my computer time instead of only doing it at night, when the kids are in bed!

I haven't heard from Audrey personally, but Naomi and Kendra both tell me that Susie is coming around. She still isn't talking, but at least she's now aware, trying to eat a little, and is on the road to recovery. She gave her mother quite a scare when Rebekkah found her on the ground, not moving or not answering! That must have been so frightening! I am still praying hard for Audrey and her family, and also the Cohens!

I know how it is when one of my kids get sick: when they are in danger of losing their lives or are extremely sick, my built-in motherly radar sensors go off, and I try to let my nursing skills take over, but on the inside, I am falling apart! There's nothing like seeing your child covered in blood from head to toe or hearing them gasping for every breath, their faces turning into a blueberry shade of blue, and their eyes showing terror, as if they know that they are on their way to checking out before they fall unconscious. It's happened way too many times for me to count, and each time it does, it scares the living hell out of me!

Rebekkah and her family are now settled in London; Rebekkah is being checked over by doctors over there, to see if there is anything that can be done for her medical condition. I am sure she is scared to death, and I know she probably doesn't like being poked and prodded like a piece of beef! I am sure that she is more'n ready to give one of those doctors a good pop on the noggin! LOL

Sunday night we are going to the local TV station where the MDA telethon is to be held; we volunteer there every year; have done so since Johnny was only seven. We enjoy meeting the other MDA kids, and we enjoy raising awareness of neuromuscular disorders and the importance of finding a cure before any more of "Jerry's Kids" die an unnecessary death. We also enjoy the entertainment, and we enjoy the food (hot dogs, hamburgers, veggies, potato chips, salsa, nachos, tacos, burritos, enchiladas--the usual Labor Day fare).

We will be at the tv station from Sunday night and all day Monday. We will be busy, but I know we will have a good time. At least it will give our minds a break from all the bad stuff that's been going on in our world lately, and in the world of my friends!

I just wonder what people are going to think when they see me sitting in a wheelchair--or see my huge pregnant belly. Shall be interesting! Just wait until they hear I am carrying twins; boy, are they ever going to be surprised! :)

Well, I have to use the potty now, so I will go before there is an ugly incident in the bed. That would not be good! LOL Take care, and will write in here again soon! God bless!

~Love, your friend, Louie May. :)