Hello! It's me, Tippie D. Young, writing!
I am happy to say that I am just about healed from my illness of over one year ago; it's been nothing but one miracle after another! I am back at work with the children's nursery program at my church, and it has been great seeing everybody! In addition, I got a raise and will be getting a new vehicle (thanks, in part, to some caring friends)!
My boys, Kirkland, Jr., and Kenny, are back at school, and both are doing very well. Now that the worst of my illness has long gone, the boys are getting back into the normal routine of things. Kirkland (my husband) is about ready to go back to work; he cannot wait; being around the house has been starting to drive him crazy!
Today, though, I am home: a real bad snow is currently falling; we are under winter storm warnings; we could get as much as a foot of additional snow, on top of the snow that's already fallen from previous storms. The city of Nashville has cancelled all schools and even some colleges, and most businesses are operating at least two hours behind schedule because the roads are so slick and hazardous. Local law officials are recommending that people stay home unless for emergency purposes; otherwise, they run the risk of getting arrested.
Dr. Jagadish has cleared me; I don't have to see him for another three to six months. If I have any problems, I am to see him sooner; otherwise, he says I am doing very well. Considering where I was when I first got sick, it's a miracle I am even here.
I look at the pictures of when I was in the Intensive Care unit at Nashville Memorial Hospital, when I was so sick, and all I can do is praise and thank God for bringing me through such a devastating (not to mention, deadly) illness/infection. I could have very easily died. I look at them not because I am morbid, but because I want to be reminded of God bringing me through the fire. Now I can look back and say, "Thank you, Jesus!"
I really don't remember much when I was that sick except for pain and noises of machines beeping or humming, and the sound of the respirator breathing for me, and voices, loud voices, yelling at me to move my arms and legs or to open my eyes; other than that, I remember very little. Maybe it's a good thing: I've heard that I had at least twenty surgeries just to get rid of the infection and the gangrenous areas of my belly. I still have heavy scars on my belly; they will be there for a very long time to come.
Needless to say, my bikini or bathing suit-wearing days are over.
I could get necrotizing fasciitis again; once a person has had it once, they are predisposed to getting it again. I pray not; once was more than enough, in my honest opinion!!
Well, I am going to make myself a hot cup of soup and perhaps a turkey sandwich slathreed with mayo and tomatoes; suddenly I am very hungery! I will then sit by the fireplace nad watch the heavy snow falling outside and pray our power holds. I will write in here again; until later, this is Tippie saying so long and God bless!
~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Tippie D. Young.
