Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Long HOT Summer

Phew! That was a drawn out break. It was a loooonnnngggg month.

It is so good to be back here writing. My summer was miserable, as the heat really exacerbated my MS and all the other obnoxious complications I’ve had since my surgery in May. I don’t want to completely bore you, so here it is the abridged version in 100 words or less:

Hot. Ow. Pain. MS. Sweat. Working. Hot again. Resting. More sweat. Ugh. Ow. Ow ow ow. MS. Pain. Working. Groan. Resting. Hot. Ow. OWWWW. Hot again?!?! Working. Hot. Ow ow ow. Can’t sleep. Resting. Whimper. Working. It hurts, it hurts. Cry. Working. Resting. Swollen legs. Cellulitis. Useless arm. MS. Hot. Short of breath. Hot. Weak. Hot. In such pain. Hot. Sweating. Hot. Working. Resting. Dizzy. Hot. Oh my goodness…is that a cool breeze…?

And it was! It has been so cool for the past few days that I am positively giddy with relief. I feel SO much better.

I hate the summer. :(

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Uh oh, accident!

While I snoozed from a snootful of Benadryl one afternoon, getting my IV MS medicine at the oncologist’s office, a car was plummeting south on Route 35, not paying a bit of attention to what was in front of him. By the time he saw the light was red it was too late to stop in the pouring rain. Therefore, at about 35 miles an hour, practically standing on the brakes, he plowed into the back of my little silver Mazda with my daughter at the wheel. She was pushed into the intersection, where thankfully no one was coming. She was shaken but otherwise fine.

However, my car was wrecked. boo hoo hoo So I had to get a car. I was not prepared to get a car. The little nest egg that I had just accumulated suddenly became the only thing between me and walking everywhere. Which I can’t do any way.

A new car was out of the question for now. Ugh, but are there many worse things than buying a used car?!?! Especially when you aren’t ready to and the only money you have is considered a laughable pittance in the car world.

The first few days I couldn't even think about buying a car. Literally. Couldn't even wrap my brain around it. But by the fourth day I just gritted my teeth, rented a car and went on the hunt.

You would be amazed at the number of little old ladies and men there are out there who are turning in cars they only drove to church on Sunday. I kid you not. However, based on the mileage, the churches were apparently in Argentina.

One car I looked at appeared to have taken part in the demolition derby, with gouges, cracks and dents in the body and ripped, filthy carpet inside. I looked at it wordlessly. The salesman gave me a big grin and said “Doesn’t it look great?!?”

I opened the back door of one promising vehicle to discover a cascade of what appeared to be blood dried onto the inside. I asked the salesman if he had ever seen “Pulp Fiction”. He chuckled nervously and stuttered “Uh, heh heh, that’s not blood.” Bub-bye.

Finally I found a clean SUV, in a retirement community. It looked good, sounded good, none of the wrong lights were on, everything appears to work and when I asked if I could think about it over night, the owner knocked a few hundred dollars off the price. Sold! The only problem is, I am terrified of my new car.

I got an SUV so my wheelchair will be able to fit in the back. Going from a little Mazda to an SUV is culture shock. The gas pedal is more sensitive than my old car, so I lurch and heave down the street. I feel as though I am driving a tractor trailer.

I know I will get used to it and I am grateful to have it. Some friends have suggested naming the car. I think that is an excellent idea.

So here it is, the Behemoth XL. lol Together, we will take over the world.



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Bling


No, your eyes do not deceive you. I once again have redecorated my blog space, this time to go with the season. I know, I know, it is very girly. But hey, I AM a girl after all! Sheesh. You should have seen what I put together first. You would have been puking up flowers for a year. (Here is the link for those of you who get my posts in e-mail: www.nourishourselves.blogspot.com )

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Blessed


I hope all you amazing, generous people are all well and happy!!! I did have some lovely moments in my summer despite feeling so sick. I am lucky to have wonderful friends. So many of them over these weeks took the time to send me a card or come by or invite me over. I truly treasured every second with each of them.

The affection and concern I received really made me think. Over the next few weeks, I am going to write about some of the remarkable people who have touched my life in many fabulous ways. They are quietly good and they deserve for the world to know about them and what a difference they have made for me and many others.

That’s it! Glad to be back!


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7 comments:

brokenteepee said...

So sorry about your car and your miserable summer.
Welcome back!

Lawyer Mom said...

Buying a used car wouldn't be so bad if you could avoid the sales people.

But I'm glad you found a good used one. Maybe this "cash for clunkers" program will be helpful in more than one way (oh, and let's hope the dealers get paid for the rebates they advanced!).

Hang in there.

JD at I Do Things said...

Oh, my gosh. I feel so bad you had such a crummy, painful summer.

Here's to autumn! A season I love for so many reasons. I hate the heat because it's uncomfortable---I can't imagine going thru what you must go thru.

Marie said...

Oh thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for still being my readers and for not giving up on me!!! I just love you guys. I am so happy to be back.

Pricilla, Mom and JD, you are the best! Thank you so much for your sweet words and encouragement.

Webster said...

Now I'm commenting on the rest of the story. Your car! So sorry. I get so bemused at used car salesmen; they all are LIARS, liars I tell you. Your Pulp Fiction comment was priceless. Your new-ish SUV is nice. I'm sure you'll get used to it in no time.

I'm sorry you had such a rotten Summer. It was warm here too, but for some reason it didn't bother me too much, though I feel like I'm fading a little now. Probably did so well because because I spent more time indoors than I usually do this (that) time of year. Whatever, it worked.

I LOVE your new Fall template. It's very pretty. You are so talented with these sorts of things.

I think there was something else, but now I forget. Story of my life.

You wouldn't give up on us, would you? Wnhy think we would on you?

Marie said...

Webster,I have woefully neglected you! I promised to help with your template and time just got away from me.

I will e-mail you and maybe we can talk on the phone?

Thanks for hanging in there with me! :)

Jane Turley said...

I've been away on my hols Marie so just catching up now. Yikes, I hope the pain eases up a little soon for you. As for car crashes...I just had yet another too. (All my fault) Don't ever let us both get in a car together because one thing's for sure the shit would really hit the fan!

I like the little white number... looks kinda stylish. My next car is gonna be a tank though - only safe way to travel these days.