Driving 6000 Miles for the Magic: A Miracle Trip

[DisneyJo]

Wooohoooo that looks as though there's a happy ending

Can't wait for your comments on my TR

 

[Backstage_Gal]

YAY Thanks for the clue!

 

[KathyRN137]

Clue =

Kathy

 

[wendygrace]

Hope you got to meet your friend. Glad to hear you got to stick around in Oklahome for the opportunity! So sad the stay at Granma's was miserable but hope it was better the next day. Can't wait to read more!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Okay-update coming right up.

crgfsu1: Thanks! Tomorrow I get to go to the temple in Oakland and that is my other happy place-so this week will be better.

DisneyJo: Yep. Visited, read, enjoyed, posted and will return

Backstage_Gal, KathyRN137: thanks

wendygrace: Got to see friends and family...

Here we go!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I woke up August 1st with much anticipation… Would I see Katrina?

For some reason Dad was not in the best of moods. He was generally cranky and oversensitive. So the morning was a bit stressful.

But the stress was soon alleviated when…

Katrina called and said she was on her way!! She was driving from Norman and would be arriving in about an hour and a half.

I was so happy! I was going to see one of my closest friends. We had (and still do) kept in fairly close contact via e-mail. I eagerly awaited her visit.

Danielle’s friend, Katie, arrived first.

And they started chatting. I knew Katie from Speech and Debate. She is going to school to be a lawyer specializing in tort law.

Not long after, Katrina arrived.

We visited for quite awhile. Katrina asked some questions about my big spinal surgery and its effects. Last time Katrina saw me (end of school 2002) I was in a much different condition. I didn’t have the trach or vent (just at night through a mask) or feeding tube and my voice was much stronger and clearer. So I talked a little about that. And I wanted to know about her-got the scoop on school, boys, work, family, the life. Talked about Disney (she’s been). And reminisced about competitive speech days. I really have my speech coach to thank for getting to know Katrina. She paired us for a dramatic duet. We eventually qualified to regionals but mainly focused on our individual events. Anyway, during those after school practices was when we started to get to know each other. We always hung out between rounds at speech competitions. We both qualified to State. State was probably where I felt most independent. When I wasn’t competing, I would be with Katrina or Heather. Dad would be at the hotel or other appointed meeting place. I even walked around campus with them (State was held at OU). We laughed about when her Dramatic Interpretation ran late and she was afraid she’d be late to Poetry (I was going to the same building) so she took a ride on my wheelchair as I blazed full speed ahead. We both went to Districts to compete for Nationals experiencing the stress and her congratulating me when I qualified for Nationals. Those were good times. It was so wonderful to visit with a fantastic friend and feel more typical. She brought me a present.

It was the picture of us that I gave her at the end of the school year. She made a copy of it and put it in a frame she decorated…The visit was extending into when we were supposed to be back at Grandma Mae’s…So, reluctantly, we said our goodbyes. Hugs. And I love you’s.

As soon as Katie and Katrina left, we did a bathroom run and headed to Grandma Mae’s. Grandma June was a bit irritated that we visited so long with friends. We had just seen Grandma Mae in April and I think it was very good for me to see a friend…

Both Grandma's June on left, Mae on right

I have sense found out from Mom that Grandma Mae was a bit upset. I guess she thought that we stopped just to visit her??? I do remember her inviting us for an early breakfast but this was also a rest day and we needed sleep!

Anyway, Dad’s brother David and his wife Karla were also there. Aunt Karla has rheumatoid arthritis. I think she got it in 1998. Well, she has deteriorated a lot since I last saw her. She was even weaker than Mom.

Uncle David, Aunt Karla, and Grandma June:

We had some medical talk-exchange stories, give ideas. The more I heard, the more I was irritated with her doctors. They botched a surgery on her foot so it became an open wound. Then she had to go off her RA medication. This caused a lot of deterioration and horrific pain. She was on antibiotics for 3 months through multiple PICC lines instead of giving her a port. The medicine made her horribly nauseas and she couldn’t eat. They never addressed that. I am thinking- Zofran or Phenergan, why didn’t they prescribe one. And the pain and inflammation was so bad that sometimes she couldn’t move and would cry. No pain medications. I think after months of arguing she got Oxycodone which is like the weakest or one of the weakest pain meds. They had to buy her a wheelchair… I just felt bad for her. Especially the pain. I know what it is like to be in unbearable pain. I have had good pain management for a while now…It makes a world of difference in quality of life…Dad and Uncle David compared notes on different adaptations they’ve made. We didn’t just talk about medical stuff but just generally visited about family and life. My cousin Bryan came by briefly to eat. Stacey didn’t come by…It was a better experience than the night before. Good to catch up.

Grandma Mae, Uncle David, Dad, Aunt Karla:

I think we left there about 7:00 to return to the hotel and visit with the Hales. The Hales were Dad’s really good friends. They live on a farm. Russell Hale has worked as a trucker and with explosives. Most recently at a sheet metal factory because the explosive factory “was breaking rules.” Tina Hale works as a court reporter. They are a fun couple. I remember going to their farm for various activities. Russ and Dad are great friends. Dad seems to have trouble making friends and I know he enjoyed the visit.

Mom & Dad, Russ & Tina:

Something I love about Oklahoma-the beautiful blue sky (no photo alterations)

I think Dad was grumpy in the morning because he was worried about how the day would go. He wanted us to have good visits and not be disappointed.

We did.

Next update: Saturday, September 22-something else breaks, the mountains
Elevation and Breakage- Page 37, Post #547

 

[Tanya90210]

Loved the update!!! Glad to hear you guys had such good visits...

I am sad however... I will be gone when u update again .... thankfully I'll be in the homeland ....

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Christamae,

Glad you had a good visit. I rarely see old friends too, as they are in Germany.

Great that you enjoyed debates so much. No for me, that would be a NIGHTMARE! I hate public speaking AND debating with anyone, I just want to live in peace and harmony, LOL.

Thanks for the great update!

 

[jlcd]

Glad to hear you had such a great day! The title of your next installment has me a bit worried though!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Wonderful update!! I love the picture of the sky, so beautiful. You looked so happy in your picture. I am so glad you got to visit with your friends and family.

I will be back to read the next update, you are a wonderful writer.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hooray! You had a much-needed meet with your good friend AND got to visit with the family!

You're right; that sky is gorgeous!

And your Dad really deserved the special moments with his friends... ten times over I think!

Thanks for another great installment; see you next week!

Kathy

 

[wdw1014]

Christamae,
You may not remember me, but I was with you at the beginning of your report and fell in love with it. Then...computer troubles arose. I now have a new laptop and the first thing I did was catch up on your trip report. What a trip it has been. I love, love, love it! I was so glad to see that you were still writing and bringing so much joy to everyone. I can't wait to read more.
Angie

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Nice update - I'm so happy to hear you got to meet up with your friends and family (even if the family felt a bit slighted).

Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[crgfsu1]

What a great update. It sounds like the visit was much needed and enjoyed. I can imagine tiresome though - sounds like a BUSY day. I am glad that you and your sister both got to visit with your friends - it would be nicer to see each other more often, but catching up is also so much fun. I certainly hope that your Aunt Karla recovers from her pain soon. Oh my goodness - Oxycodone??? They can do better than that!

It made me giggle a litte that you have a Grandma Mae (MAY) and JUNE! Sorry, I just thought that was cute & conicindental!

So your report is getting close to the end - how long do you think you can you stretch it out?? I do look forward to reading your updates and will miss them when you are done. And to think, in your first post you said you were "intimidated" by all the great writers on this board....duh, you are one of them too!! (ah, but I can still check in on you through your CB site)

Have a great weekend! (oh, well...I guess I will check tomorrow for another update)

Cathy

 

[Poohtigeey]

Hi! I just spent the day reading your trip report! You and your family are inspiring! I have really enjoyed your report and writing style! Can't wait to read the finale!

 

[DisneyJo]

So pleased you got to meet your friend, although your spoiler had given us a big hint , how weird of your Grandma to be upset as you say it's so good for you to meet your friends and you still visited her too

 

[Momof2wCF]

Christamae, I have just caught up on your TR after finding it last week. I feel like I've lived through it with you, your writing is a gift, truly!
My kids both have cystic fibrosis, and they have g-tubes, pneumonia frequently, take pulmozyme and do breathing treatments 4 times a day. My daughter just got off IV meds that I had to mix, and give every 8 hours besides the other antibiotic going in on the pump. I felt overwhelmed and like everyone got to have normal lives except us, and people thought we were crazy for going out and about.. I am humbled. Your patience with the rest of us ignorant people is inspiring and I will do my best to emulate it.
Thank you for your persistance in writing this report, and all of your pictures are awesome to see. I can't wait for the next installment!!!
PS does your Dad have any idea how amazing all of us think he is? Grumpys and all, he is incredible. Your Mom is a wonderful person too. She seems like Casey Jr., just keeps moving "I think I can, I think I can.." I can see where you and Danielle get all your good attitude and qualities from.
I hope that you do write a book of poetry or an autobiography. Some talents are just too good to waste, even if you can't make any money off of it!

 

[zigzagzerr]

Hi Christamae,

I was so happy to hear that you got a chance to visit with your friend. Good friends are so very important, especially as we get older.

The pictures of your visit were lovely. It's nice that you and your sister each got to visit with friends, and your mom and dad too!

Can't wait to hear the next episode. Have a great week!

 

[disneyholic family]

i've just begun reading your report.....you are AMAZING and inspiring...
and your report is so very interesting....
i've really only just begun reading it but i have to get to work....but i'll be back later...

 

[PittypatBR]

Great installment, great pics! I'm so glad you got to visit with your friends, both you girls and your parents. And as a grandmother I can understand your grandma being upset about missing any time with you, although it was VERY important to see your friends. Sometimes when we don't have our families close we want to monopolize them, even when we shouldn't!! But that was a really great day, all the way around. It was fun hearing about your debate days too. I'm looking forward to your next installments, but a little bit frightened! No more bad luck, please!