Tuesday, January 01, 2008

It’s Been Such a Long Time….

I am way behind in my updates. It's been such a stress-filled two weeks and I've been sick the last week like never before so please forgive me.

There's so much going on, I'd be crazy to try and cram it all in one post.

Happy 2008, people. May it be a healthier, happier year all around.

My dad is still in the ICU, still on the ventilator although at this point it's at 40% with his level at 99 so it's not bad. Blue Cross is causing a lot of issues with the rehab center, I'll have a lot to write on health care in NY in the coming days. The system is really a mess, I never realised it before.

Things aren't good but they're better. After the past month I'll take better. It's 35 days today he's been in the ICU and he recently acquired MSRA, a 'super bug' staph infection that he got from being in the damn ICU so long.

I put the patch on again today at 9:30 this morning. I blew it last time, I am going to make it this time. I feel really stupid smoking as I'm crying over a man on a ventilator. Just not right.

So here it is, my big year of change. I was driving with my mother over the Kingston bridge the other day and it hit me what a beautiful area I'm moving to. The Catskills are right there and they have basic mountaineering training there. The people are so completely different from what I'm used to and life is a slower, more laid-back pace. I have so much to write about that, too. Knowing I'm never going to live in Dobbs again is weird but really exciting. I hate what my life had become, more than I ever let on to anyone.

My mother and I were working on what we were going to do with the books. Converting the garage into an organised room with floor-to-ceiling bookcases with books all in order that would become my thing to run. Weekends in Woodstock and getting to know people there.

Christmas sucked. It was as good as it could have been without my dad but it sucked because of the lack of my dad. The presents were wonderful and we did the best we could but let's face it, it wasn't Christmas.

I've been really sick. Ever since he went in I've had this perpetual pain/headache. It's at the top of my spine/bottom of my neck. It's always there but it's not always bad. When it gets bad it's cripping. Runs across my shoulders, up my neck, up my head and eyes. On top of that has been a migraine-esque headache with all the symptoms. For the past 4 days I've been throwing up every day, multiple times. Not hardcore food puking but phlegm and stuff. Yug. 8 times yesterday. I didn't sleep at all Sunday night because every time I laid down I couldn't take a deep breath so I sat up all night listening to 101.5 WPDH Poughkeepsie and cried, which only made it worse. Last night I got fed up and popped a valium and managed to get about 7 hours of sleep. Put the patch on this morning, haven't thrown up all day and managed to eat a pancake.

Resolution #465 is to find at least one positive in everything life throws my way, no matter how hard it seems, so I'm trying to balance all of this without sounding whiney. Things are bad but they were worse 3 weeks ago.

So happy 2008 to anyone reading this, what are your plans for the new year?

1. Welcome back, Heatherlyn. I was worried about you.

   MRSA is some bad juju but hopefully he’ll pull through.

   Good luck with your moving in.

   I will be praying for you and your family. Happy 2008 to you!

   Bobby  on  01/02  at  12:11 AM

2. I’m so happy to see you blog!  Gladder still to hear your dad’s still hanging in there.  The silence had me thinking the worst.

   Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling so ick.  Hugs and a Happy 2008 to you.

   I haven’t really thought out my plans for this year other than “write more.” I guess this will be my year to maintain.

   YummY!  on  01/02  at  12:55 AM

3. Still keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. May 2008 be an improvement.

   (((HUGS)))

   Andrea  on  01/02  at  06:51 AM

4. I think this is the first time I’ve commented here, so hello, and I’m sorry to hear about your dad. I also get migraines and have found that sipping an icy cold real Coke sometimes helps with the nausea before the drugs kick in. My resolutions for 2008 are the usual ones re getting healthier, plus also reading better books and finishing my novel. Wishing good things to you and yours!

   Miz UV  on  01/02  at  09:15 AM

5. Heather, I’m relieved to hear about your father. While not a full recovery, it’s an improvement and hopefully there will be more. As for the MSRA Staph, it’s not uncommon in long hospital stays, but he couldn’t be in a safer place.

   I know you’re prone to these headaches and stomach problems, with all the stress in your life it’s to be expected I guess.  I think the one comment about the very cold Coke is a great one, and I’d add putting some cool damp towels on your neck and shoulders when it gets real bad.

   I wasn’t aware that you were moving up for good until recently, it makes sense, getting closer to your mom and dad, and a change of pace. I know it will do wonders for you. Not that Dobbs isn’t a fine place, but the distance is part of what’s always caused the stress.  I wish you luck up there.

   I don’t have a lot to say, just know that your’re in my thoughts,

   Joe
   The Bear

   Joe The Bear  on  01/02  at  10:43 AM

6. My plans for 2008, since you asked. I want to find a steady job that I like. I want to get some art into a gallery. I want to finish up my screenplay and finish up the last third of my novel. I want to be the best wife I can be. I want to move into a home of my own with my husband.

   Other than that, I want to get my emotional strength back. Who knew living on eggshells with alcoholic dysfunctional idiots could be so damn draining. I swear I’ll always be imperfect. Wish they’d realize that.

   Love you! Keep up that good work Chuck! I’m rooting for you like you’d never believe. I’ve never met you, but the adoration your daughter has for you is astounding. I admire you and I haven’t met you (yet.) Be strong Heather’s family. Be well Chuck!

   Mare

   Mare  on  01/06  at  12:25 AM
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