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A very bad week

Posted: June 12th, 2008, 11:46 pm
by Queenie
Hi Everyone -

Until today, I didn't think my week could get much worse.  My father (who has been enduring chemotherapy on an off for 10 months) had been feeling poorly since his last treatment, Wednesday past.  He was feverish over the weekend, and decided that if he wasn't feeling better by Monday that he was going to go to the doctor...

At about noon on Monday, my mom calls me from the doctor's office.  They called 911 and were taking him to the hospital.  It was a very long day and by 8:00 pm, he was still in ER - hadn't been assigned a room...  At about 10 pm, they told my mom to go home - that they were going to take him to a room.  Apparently throughout this time, they were doing one test after another, trying to figure out why he was in such pain.... even with the morphine they were giving him.  Anyway, they finally found the source - an absess... not really sure about the details - but he had surgery on Tuesday.  Since he was pretty doped up, my mother said for us to wait until the next day to come visit...

Yesterday came and I went to the store to get a big bouquet of flowers - when I got there, the flowers hadn't been put out yet.  So I figured that I'd stop after work, get some and go to the hospital to see my dad.  Well, as it happens, my boss calls me at 1:00 and asked me if I could make a payment at a bank by 2:00... Sure, no problem... but as it turns out, I had three different banks to go to and then another place to drop a check off, too...  I didn't get home till after 4:00 - and by then was so tired that there was no way I was going anywhere...

So today, there were going to be no obstacles...  I went to the store, bought two plants, some cereal, & pretzels for my dad (apparently the food is really awful - I just wanted to get him a few snacks for him that wouldn't be full of fat....) Anyway, my daughter Amanda was going to meet me at the hospital...

Well, I was almost to the interstate and she calls me - hysterical - I could barely understand her.... she had wrecked her car - a car in front of her had slammed on his brakes, she swerved to the right, but overcompensated, and I guess swerved back to the left and slammed her car into the Jersey wall.  I immediately got on the interstate, frantically trying to call her father to let him know... by the time I got to the scene of the accident, I had finally talked to him.... (very, very long story, but he doesn't ever answer his phone when I call...) but when I told him it was an emergency - then texted him the same, then called AGAIN - (losing my cool, that time) and he still hadn't called, my blood started to boil.  When he did call back, - well, we had words -

So I finally pull up behind the cop - Amanda's car is facing almost totally backwards on the highway... she's in the cop car - sobbing, but giving him a report.  He talked to me and then I started emptying her car - putting all of her stuff into mine...  and then I did something that I shouldn’t have done.  I took her phone, got "her boyfriend"'s number and called him.  I really was only going to tell him about the accident, but I was so ticked at Amanda's dad (not answering my phone calls when I was trying to call him & tell him about the accident) that my anger REALLY got misdirected.  After I told him about the accident, I told him that I thought what he was doing to my daughter was terrible.  He tried to tell me that I didn’t really know what was going on, and I told him that I didn’t really care about anything except how he makes my daughter cry.  He said, “well, I just won’t answer her calls anymore” – and I told him that he ought to act like an adult.  I asked him if he didn’t think she had a right to an explanation… but then I told him – “I don’t really care what you do – I ONLY called to tell you how I feel…”

Anyway, Amanda gets done with the cop, gets in my car – is crying, sobbing – “I’m so embarrassed that I wrecked my car”…. “ohhhhhh……. Godddddddd………. My beautiful car…….”  “what am I going to do?  I don’t have a job, I don’t have a car……….” (her boss of 4 years fired her on the day before her birthday - 2 weeks ago) And doubling over, rocking, sobbing…. And then this guy calls – she tells him she’s been in an accident – is crying, crying…. And he TELLS HER HE DOESN’T WANT TO SEE HER ANYMORE… and then in a low voice she says, “ – what?  What are you talking about?  What do you mean?  what?  You’re just going to say this and not explain?”

By this time we've arrived at her apartment.  I got out of the car to go up to get (her puppy) Zoey and when I get back to the car, she walks over, with the most hateful look on her face – “W-H-A-T did you do??”  I told her – and I told her the truth – and I also told her several times that I told him that I just wanted him to know how I felt…  I apologized and we had words on the short trip to my house.  On top of this, her keys were still in her ignition at the tow place - the one place in her car that I'd neglected to look for anything.  She practically ordered me to take her there.  I told her that I wasn’t going anywhere with her when she was talking to me and looking at me with such hate…  so she called her dad.  He came and got her and off they went.

Her dog was still with us & finally about 9:30 or so, she sent me a text message asking if I would bring Zoey over to her (she lives less than 1/2 mile from us).  I said that I would.  So John and I took her over there - she came down to the car, took her from me, said thanks and went back to her apartment.

So, here I sit –  not only is my little girl devastated about her car, but she’s not speaking to me.  I didn’t even get a chance to sit and hold her…  I’m sad – heartbroken -  but also mad – mostly mad at this "boyfriend" for basically kicking her when she was down.  I realize that I shouldn't have let my emotions get away from me like I did, but if I'm really honest with myself, I don't feel bad that I told this guy how I feel...  and that's wrong, I know.

So, my friends - I'm asking for your prayers - for my dad, Ron... and for my baby girl, Amanda...  They've both had a lot of emotional baggage lately - and I'm so sad....... I can't "fix" their problems... hard thing for the person that is always the "fixer"...  :'(

My heart hurts... my tears are finally falling.

Carolyn

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 12:15 am
by graceface66
(((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) Carolyn,
      You and all of your family are in our prayers. Remember........no matter how steep the Valley Our Father is with us.
              Praying you soon reach the mountain top.........
                May G-d bless and comfort you
                                      Kris

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 4:08 am
by margo
Oh Carolyn!  What a mess...

How is your father now?  Did they fix the absess?

You're under a lot of stress...

God can fix anything...healthwise or family emotionwise. Anything...i know you know that.  i'll add you to my prayer list!  Getting ready for morning prayers right now!

margo

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 8:46 am
by Forever Young
Dear, dear Carolyn,

I think you need these from all of us:

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((H U G S)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Here's what Always Young always says, "There ain't no mess so messy that God can't fix your mess".  Aren't we glad HE can fix them for us.  Other than pray for you and your family I don't know what else to do.  So, we will pray for you, your family, and your situation. 

Years ago someone said to me, "When your children are little they walk on your toes.  When they are grown they walk on your HEART".  How true are those words!  I think we've all found ourselves in situations where we KNOW we should NOT speak, but we have.  It takes time for things to cool down and for reconciliation to take place.  But, if we continue to seek the Lord's guidance through it, He will help us day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.  Even second by second.  Sometimes I think I cannot make it for even a second.  As the song says, "HE is there ALL the time".  And God truly is with us 24/7.  He never sleeps and HE never slumbers.  He is never on vacation and never lets His answering machine or voice mail take HIS calls.  His arms are large enough to embrace you and strong enough to hold you.  Just reach out and trust Him.  He is waiting for you to lean on HIM...HE will help you through this trial.

How is your Dad doing?  How is your Mom holding up through all of this?  Please keep us updated on how all of you are doing.

WE  LOVE  YOU, CAROLYN!!!

LOVE,
Jeanne

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 9:32 am
by niki
ohmygosh, carolyn........you have fallen into the hornet's nest.......i'm going to pray for ALL of you............
    but listen, just like jeanne said, the arms of the Lord are waiting to comfort you.......TRUST in HIM.......you WILL find rest in His comforting arms....niki

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 10:31 am
by robnveronica
Oh Carolyn! My heart goes out to you!! God is there with you waiting and will help you through this!! I know how you're feeling about your daughter not speaking to you! My oldest is just starting to speak w/ me again and she's only 12 so I can only imagine what it will be like when she's older.
I have been on your daughter's side of things where you're so angry at your mother you aren't on speaking terms. I was there w/ my parents when I set my wedding date. I wrote a note/letter and stuck it in their mail box. As you know from on the boards...am I still not speaking to my mom?? Heck no. We get along pretty well. Was there another time since then??? Sure! I was pregnant w/ #3 daughter and she made a comment about us not needing any more kids (not knowing I was preg). Does she NOT love #3 Hannah banana? NO WAY!! She's such a cute little monster of 6 1/2.
My point is eventually we all come around and are healed by God's love.

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 12:30 pm
by tcasola
Carolyn,

I wish you lived closer so I could hug you!! You know all these adversities will pass. Please remember, God only puts on our plate the amount he knows we can handle.

I know this will be hard and sound strange, but be thankful for: having a daughter. While she may dislike you now, you know that’s only emotions speaking. Think of all those people who only wish to have a daughter (or son). And while your father is sick, also be thankful his illness was caught in time, and there are excellent Doctors who have the knowledge to help your father. Think of all those people who don’t have and/or long for a father.

Also, be thankful for all these hardships too. Because if it wasn’t for these types of hardships, we would never know when the Lord really blesses us.

I am here if you need me !!

Love to you !!

Your brother of another mother !!

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 12:59 pm
by CJ
Thank God your father is still alive and no one was physically hurt in the accident.

Once I knew everything was overall okay, I almost had to chuckle as I read your post. I think we have all been there at one time or another. One thing I have learned (time and time again), is when I voice my opinion of a significant other, it just brings the child and person closer together. I don't know what the story is with the boyfriend but being tolerant is often the best way to keep a relationship with your daughter. Good luck to you. Again, I have been there and feel for you.  

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 16th, 2008, 10:39 pm
by Queenie
Thank you ALL for your kind words and prayers.  Now that a few days have passed, the high emotions and tensions have eased.  Amanda and I have talked - ok, there was a little yelling - but mostly talked.  We've both learned some lessons.  Things are ok.  I really appreciate everything that you all had to say - at the time, I wasn't thinking clearly and you helped me to to get grounded again.

Her car has been taken to a body shop for evaluation.  Even though it looked totalled to me, after talking to a few people, I'm certain that they will fix it.  The car is less than a year old and still probably has a value of 20K - it would take a lot more damage to it to warrant "totalling", but we'll wait and see what the estimator says.

Don't know if anyone is interested or not, but here are a few photos...  It was kinda strange that just a few days before the accident she had me take photos of her car - here's what it looked like "before":

Image  and this is what it looked like "after":

Image  Image  Image

The important things have been realized - she is not hurt.  My father is home and doing much better.  Things are going to be ok.

Much love,
Carolyn

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 12:31 am
by robnveronica
Glad to hear everything is working it's way out. Glad also that the important things have been realized. Now...are you sticking to LDL during this time of crisis? OR have you slipped into the "Comfort" food (as I know I would do! :-\)

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 6:30 am
by Queenie
Oh, no, no, no..........  I am LDL legal!!  You know, that's one thing that I didn't even think about!!!!!!!  LDL is my way of eating now - It never even occurs to me to go to the bread aisle or even put that kind of stuff in my body.  Now, I will tell you that OCCASIONALLY I'll have a few bites of non-LDL foods - but it's a rarity...

I pack my fruits in the morning, my healthy lunch and that's it!  Where I work, I'm alone all day, there are no snack machines, etc...  If I don't bring it to eat, I have to go out - and for the most part, I don't go out during the day... sounds awful, but it's really wonderful.  In fact, yesterday I had to go out to the bank & had just gotten off the phone with my boss - told him that I was going to grab something to eat... well, I went to the bank, thought about getting something & decided that I didn't need it... it's wonderful!  I AM losing - I can feel it.  It might not be a lot, but it seems to be steady.

But thank you for asking, Veronica... stresses will DEFINITELY do that to a person.  No matter how logical we are, there are times when we revert to our "old way" without even thinking about it...

Carolyn

Re: A very bad week

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 10:16 am
by Forever Young
Carolyn,

Thanks so much for posting the photos.  It didn't surprise me when you said she wanted you to take photos of her new car just a few days before the accident.  That is just like the Lord!  I am so glad that things are better between you both.  The car can be fixed...it is just temporal.  Sometimes it takes more time and effort to restore relationships...but we know THE MAN who is the BEST at that!

Glad for your success!!!  Keep on...keeping on.....on Let's Do Lunch...stay on the train....keep eating until you are full all the calories you want...and losing weight...EFFORTLESSLY...while we travel on the train to our destination...of.....

S K I N N Y T O W N!!!

Love,
Jeanne