Friday 19 January 2018

Rough start to the year ๐Ÿ˜ž

Where to begin?
For Christmas, my Mother spent it in the hospital with flu that turned into pneumonia. She was discharged (and probably shouldn't have been) and readmitted with flu and bronchitis two days later.
Dad was with her when she ended up having a seizure due to having low sodium, and her heart stopped. (At least that's what they think) After CPR, she ended up in ICU on a vent. So when I went to go visit her for the day, I was expecting to see her in a regular room and instead found her in ICU.

Thanks to my wonderful friend who works at Southwest, she flew in my older brother from Louisiana. DH picked him up in Baltimore after midnight and we met halfway so he could be with Mom too.

Honestly, it all jumbles together, but at one point she was off the vent and told me to take a picture of Dad sleeping! She doesn't remember it though.

It truly was a scary time, we thought she wasn't go to make it when she was reintubated because she was having such trouble breathing.
To make a long story short, after lots of prayers being said ALL OVER the world, she's doing much better!

So along with all the upset, we had some good moments with the family, especially when we knew she was on the mend.

Although this was taken during the initial stay in ICU, here's my brother "taking care of business!"


I was face-timing Nathan one night while at their house - I don't normally look like that! Tenny was missing her Momma, and I was a cheap substitute. 


The GMen came up with Nathan the day Mom was transferred to another floor. Here we are with my nephews waiting in the lobby while she was being moved.


With Dad just before everyone left to go home.


While I was there, I started this for my Mom because it reminds me of her chapel at home.



I continued during my break at home, with company. I think they missed me.
And when I went back again, I was still working on it. Mom kept asking me if I was done yet - I knew she was feeling better!

And finally, here she is settled in rehab. Dad was able to bring Tenny for a visit, I think it did both of them good! She may be there as long as a month, but with her determination, it could be less. Go Mom!
I'm planning on visiting next week.


Here's the "sort of" finished chapel... but I'm not really liking the finish it's supposed to have.
I don't like that so much brown is shown in the background, I thought about adding a dark shimmering blue to make it look like it was night. Thoughts or other ideas?



And so with all the hospital visits and being away from home, then coming back and running around doing things here, I'm way behind on reading blogs. Just when I was almost caught up!

19 comments:

Linda said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom Astrid but so happy she is doing better. I just spent 5 days in the hospital with about the same thing. I am doing much better now. I love the church and I really like the way they finished it.

Linda

Terri said...

So sorry to hear about your mom, but glad she is doing better! My mom went through several "things" in October and November, but is doing very well now and at home.

Hugs and prayers!

Vickie said...

I am praying Astrid. I am so sorry to learn all this. I can't help thinking this is a blessing in disguise, bringing you all back together, closer again.
The chapel stitch is very pretty.

Julie said...

A beautiful stitched gift and such a special design you have worked on during this stressful time.
Blessings to you all, I hope mom is soon home.
Xx

Penny said...

I'm very happy to hear your mom is doing better, Astrid. And glad you had the support of your family during this scary time. I think the stitched chapel is just beautiful!

Barb said...

So glad to hear your Mom is doing much better. The flu is horrible this year. People here in Washington state are also dying from it. Much like the rest of the country. Tell your mom to get lots of fluids. I had pneumonia many years ago and when I asked the nurse how to keep it from coming back, she said drink , drink, drink! Unfortunately she did not mean a good micro-beer! Great photo of you boys and Grandpa!

deb said...

Happy to hear your mom is in rehab and on the mend! But oh, what an awful time for you. Good thoughts and prayers for your mom and you too!

rosey175 said...

Oof, all these crazy flu stories! I am glad I had my shot if only to protect people who can't get them, yikes. Glad to hear your mom's on the mend!

Would tent stitches in the dark blue work with the piece? It might be the "border" that bothers me; I'd fill in all the blank spots around the piece with bead snowflakes! Could you maybe add a moon?

Bethan said...

I'm so sorry about your mum, and am very glad she is on the mend. Such a lovely idea to stitch a piece for her - I definitely think some blue in the background would be nice x

Katie said...

I'm so sorry Astrid. A family member in the hospital just causes so much stress. Especially over Christmas. I'm glad she is doing better now. I hope she bounces back quickly. I love the chapel. I agree with you but I don't know how to help. You could cut it out and mount it to something interesting. Like I've seen some people mounting their finishes to wooden things they get. I wish I could help more.

Lorraine said...

I'm glad that your mother is on the mend. I sympathize with having deal with hospitalization during the holidays. Your church project is beautiful. I like the brown in the background but I'll be interested to see if you go with the blue.

Sheryl said...

Gosh, horrible scare and just at Christmas, so pleased that your mum is on the mend and I like your chapel embroidery.

KimM said...

Oh my goodness!! I hope things are settling down and your mom is back home soon.
hugs
xxx

Brigitte said...

It's so great to read that your mom is feeling better and on the mend. Such a scary thing. But in rehab she will get a lot of special care. Just as from the side of the family :)))
That's a very specialist you are stitching for her. I could imagine that once you have added the white clouds and the snowflakes you will like it better. And if not, why not add another background colour.

Faith... said...

So sorry your family had a rough start to the year. Having our parents sick makes you feel just as bad as when our children are sick; the feeling is terrible. Glad she improved enough to go to rehab and I hope that she goes home soon. I think Tenny looks much happier in the second picture while he is visiting your mom!

I think I agree with Brigitte that you should finish the piece off and you may like it better once everything is stitched.

I will say a prayer for your Mom.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Gosh how scary! At least she is feeling a little better now and the dog didn't have to wear a face mask.
The chapel is lovely, I remember you blogging about it before.
Could you cut round the outline and sew it to some blue felt? Or paint it blue, very carefully with a thin paintbrush?

Daffycat said...

Oh, Astrid! What a scare. The flu is so bad this year. My heartfelt prayers for your moms continued recovery.

Sally said...

So sorry to hear about your Mum Astrid. I’m so glad she is doing much better now.

The chapel is looking so pretty.

RJ said...

Oh what a trying time Astrid. I'm so sorry. I will keep your Mom in my prayers. RJ