Sweet tea and Jesus

I’ve heard it said many times that Chick Fil A is The Lord’s Chicken. I’ve also heard it called Jesus Chicken. I call it lunch daily with a little sweet tea from heaven. I don’t understand how anyone could ever drink plain tea. That is no sugar. NONE! I would liken it to almost being un American. At the least, I would call you a yankee. I was raised on sweet tea and sunshine. I learned as an adult and with the advent of Chick Fil A my mom didn’t make sweet tea. Oh, it had sugar in it but it was pretty close to unsweetened in comparison to The Chick. When I had my surgery I was a Coca Colaholic. I swore I would never drink another one and I haven’t. But addiction is a different battle all in and of itself. The thing with any addiction is control. It controls you or you control it. Right now, scout’s honor, I am addddddicted! I know where, when, and how, to get it in any city in which I travel.  I’m not sure I would like to travel outside a Truett Cathy dream state. I am on a Southwest flight to another state and I can assure you I thanked the Lord when I saw there was a chick fil a next to my gate. Yes, there IS sweet tea in my yeti as it sits on the pull down tray.

I’ve heard many of my friends talk about the TSA agents. I’ve read many horror stories. I’ve never had a problem with any of them in any state. Some may be a little friendlier than others but catch me on some days on my job and I may give the same impression. I’ve always respected the fact they had a job to do.

With the introduction of scanners and xray roundabouts, I know my underwire will get me. If it doesn’t the hearing aids do. Add to that a brand new hip and I might as well welcome a pat down. After all, it is the most action I’ve seen in years! I always am kind and politely tell the agent I am hearing impaired as I hand them my ID and boarding pass. I’ve had the great fortune to have always had them lower their mask and tell me to have a safe flight. On to the screening and I remove everything (except the bra) into the correct bin in the correct manner. Sometimes I will chat it up with the TSA folks if they aren’t terribly busy and seem to be having a good day. I stepped over today to the scanner and informed the lady I was hearing impaired and had a right hip that would make her scanner go off. I knew it was bad from the first eye contact. She couldn’t have cared less what I told her she was busy herding cattle. She was not a happy camper and it was written all over her face. I evidently made the alarm bells whistle as I went through (I didn’t hear them, I’m hearing impaired remember?) She pointed for me to go back through and again i reminded her of my impairment and I didn’t understand what she said. She motioned for me to go through the scanner again and as she rolled her eyes the alarm must have sounded. I would be remiss if I didn’t let the readers be aware I am USED to this! Eye rolling is VERY loud to someone who doesn’t hear well but that is a blog for another day. She motioned again to back out of the scanner and stand to the side while others went through. Several times she stopped others and made them walk back through but only I stood outside the scanner. She FINALLY called for someone to come pat me down…….four or five different times. All the while my pocketbook and personal belongings are on the conveyor belt now out of my sight. I asked her if my pocketbook would be ok. her response a terse “it should be”. WHAT!? SHOULD BE???? I was hot both literally and physically. I have on a big shirt and started fanning. She then yelled at me to stop exposing myself and that she would have to ask me to stay clothed. Lol Didn’t know fanning was against the law and trust me I wouldn’t expose myself to my worst enemy. It scares even me! Again, I remind her I could not see my pocketbook and needed to know that it would be fine. She in no uncertain terms told me to hush and not worry about it. She continued to call someone to come and pat me down. I have since decided her co workers didn’t want to have anything to do with her either as no one would come. It was not that busy and the flow was going well. Alas! A good 7-8 minutes later someone shows. She is pleasant and pats me down. I move to get my belongings but my carryon is behind the glass. They have been waiting on me to search it! At least this lady was even keel, she was doing her job, no conversation and a thank you at the end. WHEW! I have to say that was a welcomed surprise. I hated that I had to rearrange my bag and pack it all back in but after the first hateful lady anything was a step in the right direction. 

Of course now that I get through security, I have to board the train to the gates. As always, it is an on off situation but man I had to pee. (Doesn’t everybody at this point?) I’m pretty sure I heard all the over 50 ladies shout “AMEN”! Luckily for me there is one right there and in and out I pop. I turn left heading down to gate 21 only to find after 8-9 gates the numbers are going the wrong direction for my travel. I have to laugh as I’ve done this MANY times. I turn around and head the correct direction, which would have been RIGHT out of the restroom. Lo and behold, ahead in the distance there it is! The Lord’s chicken!!!

To say I have never been so happy to see a chick fil a would be a lie. There are many times I have been excited to see one. But when I spied this one I did say “thank you Lord!!” Nothing could have been a more splendid sight. I have tea (and nuggets)in hand and my gate is less than ten steps away. FLIGHT DELAY! Ah who really cares at this point? Not me.

I’m sure the choir in my head was singing the Hallelujah chorus. I sat in silence sipping sweet tea and enjoying some really hot albeit expensive nuggets. I knew at this point life was good and the feeling getting better. 

I make it on to the aircraft to find not only a window seat but an exit row window seat! Something about that Jesus chicken and sweet tea has turned my life around. I’m heading to see my Bubba, my kids and the Mamaw and Gramps. We will be at the happiest place on earth and at this point NOTHING can stand in my way. 

When someone tries to ruin my experience I always remember my addiction includes sweet tea and food. There is always a Chick fil a in sight. If not, you are in a non blessed place and you need to find higher ground.

Beans And Cornbread

 I’m of the understanding, I am not the only one that hates this time change. Many of my friends are talking about going to bed early not realizing the time. It has me pondering a few things with the dark thirty season.

I don’t think there was ever a time mama didn’t cook. When I was little, she cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As I grew and the older siblings started moving out the cooking started slowing down because mom had decided it was time to go to nursing school. 

I say it slowed but it in reality morphed. It moved to grab something for breakfast, lunch was during school hours and she cooked supper. Anyone that ever sat at my parents table could be assured of a few things. 1. The blessing would be said 2. Daddy would say “if you don’t see it, don’t ask for it, cause we ain’t got it” 3. There was always plenty no matter who walked in the door.  

My best and most comforting memory of supper at home is one of this time of year. We ate it often but something about the memory of time change and supper when it was dark. Without fail after school whether it was playing with Annie, Lisa or Brian or band practice, play practice or show group practice you could bet I was out til suppertime. It would be those evenings where as the sun crept down it would get cooler and cooler. Our cheeks would be rosy red from the hard play and cool air. We could hear our names being called and knew the time, although none of us wore a watch. 

As I would bust through the door looking forward to what was to come an aroma met me there that would surely make the fullest man want more. The aroma of pinto beans and cornbread. 

Ahhhhh, the sheer mention of them makes my heart smile and the smell tingle my memories. The steamy air would seem like a sauna after such outside fun. I knew there would be meatloaf, mac and cheese, fried or mashed potatoes and probably something green that I wouldn’t touch. After the hands were washed and the drink poured, grace said, heaven awaited. That first piece of cornbread was so hot to touch it was the perfect time to put some butter on it. As it quickly melted the other dishes were passed around the table making sure that daddy had everything there was to offer. It was then the cornbread was crumbled onto the plate. The beans had just had enough time to stop their boil. They were then heaped via a ladle onto the awaiting cornbread with just the right amount of juice. If your mouth isn’t watering at the thought of this I’m not sure we are friends. This particular meal has and will always be my absolute favorite meal hands down. Comfort food on a cool night. Dark thirty and we are gathered around the table. I’m sure we are talking about the latest death in Whitfield county or maybe what mischievousness I had managed to get myself in to. The point being there was never silence at the Patterson table. This hour was more important in that particular moment than any other throughout the day.

This was the time of day where thoughts were shared, punishments rendered, money discussed and girl/boyfriends were entertained. I even told my daddy my first dirty joke at the supper table! Mom made sure we had what we wanted/needed before she even sat down. Sixty minutes of the day. Unlike any other sixty minutes in the last 1440 minutes we were here as a family. Wasn’t always a fun 60 minutes but as a parent myself I can see the importance and the bonds that were formed that last a lifetime at that table. 

Time change… one simple hour. The scope of one hour can make or break a child. That hour could be spent in the floor playing with their grandparent. That hour can be spent reading about your favorite characters latest escapades. The hour of darkness can be used to light candles and tell ghost stories. The quicker the sun goes down the sooner you can light the campfire and enjoy the stars. Camping is another family story for another time. 

What can you do on an hour to enhance your life and the ones around you? In sixty seconds you could sit at the bedside of your parent as they tell all kinds of tales. One hour of space and time can alter your world and the world of others in unimaginable ways. Spending one hour with family is never wasted. One hour with pintos and cornbread can serve as a comforting memory for this aging woman.

      Here we are….12.5 weeks later and it is time to return to the real world. What I thought would be a 6 week recovery doubled itself quickly. I don’t think anyone starts a journey and thinks “it will be over before you know it”. It seemed in the beginning it was going to take forever. Now, tonight looking back, it was no time. 

     In three months time I have fought for my life. I completed physical therapy. I took two trips, one to Pennsylvania and one to Florida. I finished two quilts. I completed two tops and have another started. I have almost completed one that was started by my daughter in love’s Mamaw. I read three books. I have seen more doctors than I thought I would see in a lifetime. I have watched more Netflix than allowed. I have spent some time at the pool. I have had more tests that I never even studied for and passed! LOL  We have gotten to bring mom to the house and I’ve gotten to cook for her. I have had visitors in the house almost weekly and so many offers for help that it was overwhelming. This weekend I got back on the motorcycle and put in over 400 miles. To say I’m a completely satisfied woman is an understatement. At one point it started to rain, Ryan asked if I was ok. My response was “I’m so happy, rain doesn’t bother me!” 

     If you are reading this, I am sure if you weren’t here or offering to help, you were praying. For ALL those things I am appreciative. Friends are mostly definitely a hot commodity and I believe mine are the hottest! You each mean so much to me. My sisters were in constant contact either in person or on the phone. How do people live without sisters? How do people live without their BFF? How do people live without their dogs? One thing I know beyond a doubt….I don’t wanna find out!

     On that note, this little blog is finished for the evening. It is time to roll it all up, get the dog taken care of, situate the things needed for tomorrow and call it a night. After having very few alarms the last 3 months I’m sure the one set for the morning will scare the begeezies out of me, but not as much as a possum!  

     Good Night my friends. Thank you for sharing your world with me. I am proud to say you’re mine.

....but I almost died!

      My son in law and I have the running joke about the fact that he has had “lasers in his eyes”. During his recovery from PK surgery he wanted Taylor to get him something. I was on the phone with her and she was aggravating him. His response was “but I’ve had lasers in my eyes” at which point we all busted out laughing. Since that day our response to a lot of things is “but did you die?” “I bet it wasn’t as serious as having lasers in your eyes”. It became the most serious thing that anyone could ever have happen to them. Well, until last Tuesday that’s how he won an argument..... As I woke up in SICU after my surgery the first thing I did was call him and say “I win, after all I almost died!”

     Let’s back up and revisit a few days. Tuesday, May 11 I woke up and Taylor took me to Erlanger to have a hip replacement. Everyone had told me how easy these anterior hips were and I was so looking forward to finally being pain free. I had no nervousness, no apprehension, nothing. I was cool as a cucumber like it was any other day of the week. Taylor’s response was I was “creepily calm”.

     Our experience in registration was easy and quick. My trip to the pre-op no problem as we walked to the area. The nurses were so amazing and SO nice! I informed them I was a lip reader and had to ask them to remove their masks. I was pleasantly surprised that 99% of every person that came past my curtain lowered their mask as they entered. In a way, it shocked me that someone was actually reading the whole chart or listening to the nurse. Doctors can be very dismissive. Not this crowd. 

     My IV was started and the nurse anesthetist came in for all the pertinent questions and answers. Everything was flowing smoothly. They explained the procedure of having a spinal and propofol through the IV as sedation. My first epidural and my last epidural were not anything that I wanted to experience but I was a big girl and was preparing myself mentally. I bent myself over the pillow as they readied their tray to get started. I took a couple of deep breaths and prayed for little pain. This was the last thing I remember. I have no recollection that another thing happened before or during surgery. To say I am a light weight is an understatement. Those younger days of alcohol participation went away 30 years ago and since I’ve gotten easier and easier to put down. 

     Imagine waking up in a groggy state and hearing “how many has she had?” Someone answered “4”  “Hang another LR” and seeing multiple people around your bedside. I don’t mean a couple I mean four at my feet two on each side and one at the head. I remember crying over the severe back pain and my sweet Wendy and Svetlana in the RR were taking excellent care of me. Wendy then explained as much as she could they were giving me blood. I was again just as calm and knew I was in the right place and was well taken care of. The doctor had said rarely they have to give blood but it was a possibility. I just went on back to sleep without a care in the world. At another point I am awake and Wendy explains I have had some complications and had lots of blood and was heading to SICU.

   We were on our way up to SICU and I’m giving directions as they had never gone up there!!! LOL I asked them to stop at the big windows as I didn’t want to lose a day and be confused. SICU staff swooped in on me, had me in the bed and bathed in a matter of minutes. It seemed no time before Taylor was allowed in and Casey called. Taylor had been left in the dark for 5ish hours. She was beside herself as one could imagine. She explained the time and what had happened. The nurse explained what had happened but none of it SERIOUSLY soaked in. I knew I was fine and couldn’t understand the severity of what they were telling me. Why in the world is everyone acting like it was the end of the world here?

    Tuesday night was not an easy sleep. Alarms went off every single time I went to sleep. Lexi or the other Lexi would come flying in the room and adjust the Levofed drip I was on. She explained I had lost so much blood my blood pressure was tanking and I had to have the levo support. I joked about an old ACLS saying “Levofed, leave ‘em dead”. It was the thinking back then if one had done every step up to the levofed the patient would be better off just to go to Jesus. So here I lie, pretty flat, catheter in my bladder, thirsty, and alone. Lexi was such a ray of sunshine. She talked to me every time she came in and reassured me I was ok and was extremely lucky to be alive. 

     The next day I get a visit from my surgeon and his nurse. He was so serious and I couldn’t comprehend why he was so serious and concerned. He was so uneasy looking. He told me what actually happened. Seems surgery was going as planned. It was running on time with no problems. As soon as he cut into my bone it not only bled but gushed blood and was steadily coming out. All parts were identified and they all agreed there were no bleeders and it was all bone. In the meantime, Dr Thompson, the anesthesiologist was busy trying to keep me from crashing. It didn’t work. Seems I crashed and crashed hard. They placed an arterial line and another IV in my hand. They hung blood and Dr Higgins told me his next call was to code me. My blood pressure bottomed out and it wasn’t looking good. He told me he had done over 1200 hips and I am the only one that has ever had to have blood. He said he had never seen anything like it. He said I scared him. I told him I was just trying to keep him on his toes. He seriously said “NO YOU SCARED ME”. I think that is when I really stopped and thought about it. I almost coded. He said that was his next call had I not started trending up. 

     For my medical friends here is a run down of things pumped into me during the crazy event. 4 Packed Red Blood Cells, 1 unit plasma, 1 unit platelets and 1000ml albumin. Levofed titrated to support. I know ya’ll, pick you jaw up off the floor. When I saw it on paper I understood why he was scared. Having never had to transfuse someone to that! I really did show off! The lowest I saw my blood pressure during the night was 55/33. You guys say chill out....I couldn’t have chilled any more than that. 

     I was finally moved to a room and told my physical therapist I wasn’t worried. I told him I bent over that pillow and regardless of where I woke up I wasn’t worried because I knew Jesus. It’s a lot easier to think that way when you go to sleep with that assurance. I was going to wake up and continue to live my life or I would have awakened in heaven with my Father. I told him I would have hated it for my family but otherwise I was still “creepily calm”. 

     I’ve been home a few days and my daughter, son in law and grandson have all taken such great care of me! They have taken me and we have seen my mom every day outside in the beautiful weather. They have cooked and cleaned. It is very difficult to sit and let people do for me but I couldn’t have asked for better care. Even Finn will get my walker for me and the dog refuses to leave my side. I don’t know what she thinks she could do but she is attached to my other hip.

     So, unlike most of my blogs this one doesn’t really have many giggles or anecdotes it just throws out there what really happened that fateful Tuesday. I guess the takeaway is the devil didn’t want the competition and God wasn’t ready. I lived to tell and am on the road to recovery. Thank you to all so whispered a prayer that day. I’ve had many calls and notes and every one has meant so much! I hope the walker walking doesn’t last long and I get back on my own two feet. Getting ready to roll from pre op

I’m trying to be bionic

 I have great nurses

Visiting mom