Oops! Or how not to spend your vacation

The boys and I went down to Mom and Dad's last Friday so we could celebrate Father's Day with the World's Best Dad. It turned out to be a rather strange celebration but a celebration none the less.

Friday evening, Mom and I were preparing dinner. Everything was just about ready. Mom just needed to mash the potatoes and dinner would be served. She decided to use the hand mixer on the top shelf of the cupboard so she got out her handy dandy step stool and climbed up. All of a sudden I hear a thump and Mom says, "I broke my ankle." Sure enough, her right foot was pointing in the same direction as her knees. Her left foot was pointing in the opposite direction.

As I'm reaching for the phone to call 911, Mom says not to call. We should just drive her to the emergency room. Now I'm usually an obedient child but this time I defied my mother and dialed. She's still protesting that she can just hop to the car on one foot.

Mom and Dad live about 15 miles outside of town on a country highway with only the mailbox to mark the spot. I walked up to the road to flag down the ambulance. About the time I get to the highway, it starts to rumble and roar. Lightening is flashing all around me and I'm standing in the middle of the road like an idiot. I finally decide that maybe, just maybe, I should go back and get the car. Getting struck by lightening would not have made the day any better and I didn't want to find out if the ambulance service had a family plan.

The ambulance arrives and the crew doesn't want to drive down to the house. They don't think the thing will go down the drive and if it does, they're afraid that they will drive over the septic tank and get stuck. After a few minutes of very persuasive begging on my part, I convince them that the drive is really quite wide (and it is) and the septic tank is behind the house (and it really is).

The EMTs finally got in the house. The dog is barking. Mom is white as a sheet. Dad isn't looking much better. One son is watching every move the EMTs make while the other is curled up on a couch with a blanket over his head. I don't want to see what's at the end of her leg. I don't do well with blood.

They doped Mom up with morphine and she was feeling fine. It took three large, strong men to lift her onto the gurney. Remember, this is the woman that was going to hop to the car.

Mom was taken into surgery and did very well. She should be coming home in the next couple of days. We are thrilled about that.

However, Mom won't be able to drive for at least 2 months and Dad hasn't been able to drive for over 35 years. I'll be staying with them to act as gofer, chauffeur, nurse, chief bottle washer and trouble maker. My sister will be coming over on the weekends to help out and give me a little break.

Blogging will probably be sporatic but I'll post as often as possible. They don't have cable modem! I'll have to use dial-up. I hate dial-up! 

Comments

[Becca]

Oh, Terri! That's too bad. I'm so sorry that your mom is hurt, but I hope she has a speedy recovery. That certainly changes your plans for the summer, doesn't it? Mashed potatoes are dangerous, who knew. We'll miss you 'till you get home!

[Skipper]

Hoping your mom heals quickly so you can come home soon!

[TracyAnn]

I hate dial up too!! But I love you! Thanks for everything you are doing! See you on the fourth-

[Angela]

Ack! I'm sorry to hear about your Terri! I'm glad you are able to help her out though. :-)