They say life passes us by at times, and in this case I am still back in August, while things have happened so quickly and, in some ways, surreal=ly, that I have been catpulted into September in a whirlwind of not-so-pleasant events.
It seems like it was last week when the last day of summer school came and our family was on our way to a respite filled with fun and riding out west in the Black Hills. The kids did not remember ever seeing Reptile Gardens or Bear Country, and it was a real thrill for them to go through it. We also had the extreme pleasure of stopping prior to our place in Nemo at an overnight spot where our horses could rest in Chamberlain, SD. We were overjoyed to meet Rick Floyd at Wingmasters, a farm where people fly in from all over the nation to hunt pheasants. We found Rick on a web site for equine overnight stays........and we were treated like family. The best part was a real "western" atmosphere and a great, big, honkin hot tub waiting for us in the middle of the living quarters! Rick had taken off the top of the hot tub and Tina our dog was so thrilled to be out of the truck and indoors that she jumped up onto the wicker and attempted to jump on the "bed" (aka hot tub). Before I could stop her she was in the water and embarassingly surprised at the thing that was supposed to be a bed that turned into a warm swim. I gasped and ran over to rescue her. She was just devastated with the whole experience (she is 13 this year!).........and spent some time sulking and I thought I saw a hint of red in her cheeks..........
The kids loved the journey to Wingmasters because they also had free use of the PS 3 that Rick set up for them. Wow - what a treat! I will send pictures in the next few days....and want to thank Rick for such great hospitality!
On to Nemo and the Reptile Gardens thing, the Bear Country, the Circle J where you can also see the exact spot where Kevin Costner filmed part of Dances with Wolves, and so much else.
Deadwood was the usual great experience with Midnight Star (Kevin Costner's casino and restaraunt), lots of riding!@!!!!! Nemo Guest Ranch eats and treats, friends and family....sitting in the 95=100 degree heat but it felt just fine.................getting a tan, going to pawn shops in Rapid City, and then the bomb drops.......
I was sitting outside sunning when a car pulled up. We don't have a phone at our place in Nemo and we get no signal for our cell phone. The older woman walked up and said she had an emergency message for Susan from Cherie. My daughter had called to tell me she found my mother on the floor in her condo in shock and they were in emergency and things did nto look very good. I felt that awful anxiety that crept from my heart to my throat as I ran for a vehicle that would take me to a lifeline - a phone that I could find out more.
My mother was admitted to the hospital and by the next day was in full gear to the Coronary Care Unit. A very long story short, I was afraid I would lose mom as I hurried across South Dakota and Minnesota to be at her side. Emotionally exhausted, I was unable to drive any further and Craig's mom Sandee and I stopped in Mitchell for short shut-eye. As I was driving the phone calls kept coming - mom is having a heart attack, power of attorney, who signs for surgery if she would need it, she's getting an echocardiogram.....my head was spinning as I silently prayed for time - time to get to my mom's side before something happened.
God was on our side - we got back to La Crosse and I ran up to the CCU. The doctors met with us and told us they felt as though they were losing her and didn't have a clear answer as to why but they felt there was an infection in her body. Tests, tests, more tests. I slept in the hospital that night with my sister. Suddenly the next day, a turn around as mom became more conscious. I went in to see her. She was glad I was back and exact words were, "Something bad happens when you leave me".....tears, laughter, hugs, bittersweet seconds exchanged before she slipped into deep sleep. I thanked God for His grace.
Pastor came- not many relatives and certainly no flowers or gifts (but we did wonder why)......but mom continued to improve. She was moved to a floor that is historically known in our hospital as the "doomsday floor". Lots of terminally ill people sent there - not a good omen. Mom slipped into thing after thing going wrong and became increasingly unresponsive. Finally a week ago the doctors came in to see mom and she was unable to be aroused. They asked me to come in to sign power of attorney so they could do a spinal tap to check for infection in the brain and spinal column. For some reason, after the spinal tap was done, she awoke. She improved. She began speaking (weakly). She had a collapsed lung so respiratory therapy was ordered. She was delirious at times, which was scary. Slowly, all of this began to pass. I just want to thank God when I tell you that she is, today, out of the hospital and in rehab. Go figure!!!!! God isn't finished with her yet and I am so thankful. Everything I am, I realize, I attribute to my mother. Everything I have ever known is from her. I am not ready to be an orphan, although that is a selfish reason for wanting to keep her here. But I know she was wanting to stay with us. So thank God!!!!
I am still preoccupied with seeing her every day, and want to thank Andrea T. and Mike (Comfortex Mattress Co owner but also former colleague of my mother's at Gundersen Lutheran years ago when they worked together) for caring enough to come to see her, hold her, and bring gifts. Mom is still talking about it!!!!
Things that have happened other than this include:
This week we hauled Remmie and Chief up to the Vernon County Fair for 4-H horse show which is Remmie and Chief's first time!!!! Remmie took two 2nd place ribbons in showmanship and halter with Rachel ( my nine year old and first timer who was placed in an upper age class by mistake!!), and Chief took two blue ribbons (way to go Casey and Chief!!). Unfortunately Chief had a nervous breakdown on Friday night because Vernon County has tie in stalls only and he is not used to this and rightly so.......we were on our way to celebrate Zach's 12th birthday when we got the call that Chief might be colicking so we had the vet examine him and he found good gut sounds but appeared very nervous. I explained from my cell that Chief is a very emotional horse and the last time he left home he had a breakdown at the vet's office when he was in for treatment and we had to bring him home with an IV to finish his treatment due to his behavior. It was decided after Chief did not calm down after Banamine to bring him home so thank you Victoria and Mary for doing that so we could enjoy Zach's golden birthday in the Dells!
Tomorrow is more of the horse show at Viroqua and be rooting for Remmie and Rachel as they go in the gaming classes and I will be sure to let you know how things go.
I need TWO VOLUNTEERS For next weekend at Balmoral Park for Super Night to pass out brochures and just talk to anyone interested in adopting a horse. I will pay for gas for anyone to go there to pass out literature and enjoy a great night of racing at no charge since you will be manning a table. Please consider helping us - our donations are down right now and we are really hurting and would appreciate anyone close going to help out ASAP!!!! Call me on my cell at 608-792-5126 if you are thinking about it or have any ideas!
Bless you all,
Susan
