One thought, two thoughts, four thoughts .. what happened to 'three'?

Here I am seated at my computer with my leg up in the air -- somewhat and my brain cannot seem to process over three thoughts at a time right now due to the lovely medications they give. Or maybe it's because medications typically work overtime on me so I don't make any sense at all! Whatever the case may be, I have some photos to post so I better do it fast before I lost my oomph to do it --or lose my train of thought - which ever comes first. I thought the problem was in my leg not my brain. Oh, well ... so, you are going to see a mish-mash of photos and they are pretty crazy -- these were taken as were getting ready to leave for home. I'll sue Christopher if he or Jonathan decided to post any of their photos!! Fair warning, guys!!! Sure good thing I love them!

There are some other photos I need to post but have to figure out where they are on the computers. It seems I had stuff in various places. I am certain of one thing -- Tim and Susan must be relieved to have their house put back together again! Thanks so much to them and their boys and to Susan's brother, Pat, who did everything they could to make my stay as comfortable as possible. I am sure I also provided plenty of laughter ...

Miss "Loopy" is up and at 'em .. ummm .. well ...

So, here I am in my special place -- in Tim's favorite seat in their big family room. He has been so very gracious about me taking up his place but it is the easiest for me to get in and out of -- or up and down out of -- whatever you want to call it.

I'm sure you know that as a family, humor reigns supreme. I guess if you can have humor, you can handle about anything. This is absolutely no exception. So, when Christopher was helping me get to the bathroom and I wouldn't shut up (actually I was trying to keep from thinking about my bummed up leg), he laughed so hard he almost dropped the towel he was using to keep my leg a little elevated. (I've graduated now -- I don't need the towel .. yeah, hurray!)

If it isn't that, I will sense that someone is standing near as I am in my typical dozing pattern, will open my eyes and there is one of the boys!

On a serious note -- I can't believe how very blessed here -- Susan has been a nurse for eons (she's much younger than I am) and does a phenomenal job always!! Tim, who is not known for being empathetic by nature, has very patiently helped me get some things done that were way out of his comfort zone. I know, TMI!! (Too Much Information for anyone who doesn't know that I didn't spell Tim wrong!)

My brain is working a little better today although I can't guarantee that and only the readers will know for sure. Everyone here is gone for a while and I really need to pick up the phone and call my good friend, Amy Balty -- which I probably will do when I finish here. Susan is coming home early from work -- I'm almost embarrassed to take all of their help but then I get a sermon about accepting help!!

I need Jonathan to describe the first night getting into the house and going up the stairs. Poor guy! I con't think he will ever forget that -- we tried all kinds of things -- regular chairs, rolling chairs, move the ladders in the garage, sit down, nope, gotta stand up a little -- okay, now I'm seated on the floor, I'm comfortable right here but can't stay on the floor in the door to the garage for days. Keelan has gone into some kind of mourning not understanding why I can't play with him. He looks at me with forlorn eyes!

Oh, yes, I managed to get out of the doorway with Michael, Jonathan and Susan's help and settled on the couch. And I've actually been able to manage getting to the bathroom without too much help which is better than my last surgery nine years ago. I won't go into details but it wasn't a pretty picture and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Shonna and Roxanne -- they laughed then that when I got 'old', the other gals would have to take their turn. Well, am I old yet??

I will be heading home tomorrow and now I want to address my appreciation to my girls -- who are the very best in the world. Okay, I know you have great ones, too .. but, as Shonna mentioned this morning, each one has their strength and when you put them together, they are unbelievable!! So, my St Pete gals (Roxanne, Sandi and Shonna) will be my support system and one that I know I can completely count on. They sort of 'take over' and put me in my place when needed and as Sandi told me, "We'll do whatever we need to do. We will take care of you." And I know from experience that every need I have will be addressed -- whether I think I need it or not!

How much more blessed can I be?

Well ... I am blessed by the many notes I have received already. The emails have poured in and in the midst of all the prayer support, I love the references to humor. I need to keep those together and forward them on for everyone to enjoy!!

Lest I begin to succumb to this lovely pain medication that either puts me to sleep or some type of la-la land that makes the description "loopy" very accurate, I better stop. And as you can see, my protector is close at hand!

Update!!

This is Sandi writing - Mom is a little "loopy" from the meds so thought it would be better for me to write this for her!!

As Ty would say and often does when acting out his little "scripts", "there's good news and bad news - which do you want first?!" I always reply, "Let's get the bad news out of the way." So that is what we are going to do here followed by the good!

The bad news - the break(s) in Mom's leg is pretty extensive. She met with an orthopedic surgeon (a great one by all accounts) and he told her that it is pretty bad. Her femur is broken into at least 8 pieces (sorry - that could bring some vivid and unpleasant images!) and he likened it to someone that has been in a severe car accident. Although he is an orthopedic surgeon, he is unable to perform that kind of extensive surgery. She needs to have a trauma orthopedic surgeon do it. After talking through the whole situation including the facts about payment (gets interesting with someone else - through Wal-Mart -"paying" the bills - in a different way than regular insurance etc) the decision was made that she would be better off to return to Fl and have surgery done there. He made sure that her leg was stabilized with a splint and gave her meds for pain, blood clots etc. There is a level 1 trauma unit in Tampa and so we would be able to get her to a dr qualified to take care of the situation. It would also allow us to help her through what could be a longer recuperation time. As I told Mom earlier - she never does anything half way!! So that's the bad news.

Now for the amazing news. I called Roxanne immediately after talking to Mom so that we could work through how to get Mom back to FL. (the decision had already been made to transport her by car) We decided that Rox and Chris would drive up there on Wednesday and bring Mom back. I will keep Kamen and check in on Kasi etc. Roxanne called Chris to let him know what was going on. He was at work at the time (Northside Christian). Another one of the guys that he works with was with him when he got the call. Chris explained the situation to him. He reminded Chris of someone that he works with - that happens to be the best trauma orthopedic surgeon in the state! (why are we surprised!). They called him right away and explained the situation and he got Mom's cell number. Mom then got a call from the suregon directly. (On a side note - it was comical, Mom said the number came up as "private" and when she answered, the guy said, "is this Linda Bedford? The same Linda Bedford that had the accident at Wal-Mart the other night?" Mom thought some lawyer had gotten her name!!) Mom said that he reviewed the facts with her, assured her that not only could he do the surgery, that he would be honored to do so and will see her as soon as she can get back to FL ( hopefully by Friday but he will see her no later than Monday). He will do the surgery here at Bayfront (a hospital we are very familiar with) and he will help deal with the situation of payment through Wal-Mart. God is good ALL THE TIME! And He answers before we even have a chance to ask.

Continue to pray - for Mom - that her pain will be manageable, that she doesn't have any complications prior to, during, or after surgery; pray for Mom and Dad both to have peace through all of this; pray for Rox and Chris as they travel to and from; pray for the surgeon and his team. We are blessed!

Thank for all those who have already written or called (be warned - Mom is on some serious meds if you try to talk to her! lol) - it really means a lot to her and Dad both. And thanks for the prayers most of all!

If I don't make sense ...

... it is because I decided to get some extra attention last night. I was at Walmart where I get my hair done and my leg caught on the chair, I fell and shattered my femur!! Frustrated?? More than you can imagine!

So, they wrapped me up in an immobilizer cast (been there, done that before) and I will have surgery in the next few days!!

One amusing note -- when the ambulance picked me up, it was in the middle of a big thunder storm. One of the EMT's told me that they would put a sheet over my face so the rain wouldn't hit it but that for extra effect, I should drop my arms down to the side! Of course, I did! So, who knows what will happen over the next few days!!