I haven't posted in almost a month. But hey, I haven't driven in over two weeks. Why?? I'm a mother of teens/preteens so how is that humanly possible??
My life came to an abrupt halt in a matter of minutes...
It was Christmas Eve morning and I was in the groove. Pandora and I were belting out the Christmas tunes while I prepared three breakfast casseroles and a smattering of holiday desserts.
I had forgotten to eat breakfast that morning in my rush to prepare for the best two days of the year. As I worked I began to feel a little funny and thought my blood sugar had dropped. I forced myself to stop in the middle of my baking spree and eat some cheese. No change and still feeling strange I started whipping the frosting. "I feel kinda dizzy," I said to my little sous chef. I left him in charge and dropped onto the couch. Feeling irritated, with all that needed to be done (ain't got time for dat!) I tried again. This time I went running for the bathroom.
Christmas brunch table set and ready for the family... minus one.
My head was spinning and I was in the shower in a puddle of tears (because-sob-I'm-sob-missing-sob-Christmas) and vomit.
Realizing I had the stomach bug I sent the rest of my family to the in-law's for the festivities. Within an hour, I had no control of my eye muscles and I was scared that it was very serious. Funny how the worst-case-scenario can come to mind so quickly. Fortunately I come from a medical family (I am the black sheep in that dept.) and my sister in law was able to diagnose my problem within minutes of examining me: Vertigo (not the stomach bug)
Huh? Wha?? I thought Vertigo was slight dizziness that only coincided with old age. Really old age.
Turns out it can attack anyone at any given time. Attack me it did!
Christmas morning was a complete blurrrrrrrr. Determined not to miss out, I had my family literally drag me across the hardwood floors on a blanket to get to the couch without having to sit upright. Pa-the-tic. I really don't remember much from that day. In fact, a couple of days later, my honey showed me all the gifts I had opened. It was news to me!
My new fuzzy socks, soft throw blanket, and the perfect winter pillow were among my gifts.
I spent the next week and a half in bed or on the couch. The blessing was that my honey had the week off from work and school was out for the kids. The curse was that I missed doing fun stuff during their vacation break. Focus on the good, focus on the good.
A visit to the doctor didn't do much other than a prescription for some meds that make me too sleepy and a warning not to drive until the dizziness subsides...which, by the way could last a couple days or up to three weeks (stamping my foot...nooooo!).
As a mom, sometimes a doctor-ordered couch break is nice. For a couple of days. Except for the whole tilt-a-whirl thing. Until the stir-craziness sets in.
The farthest I got from the house for a week was the front porch to soak up some sunny winter weather. Even the animals had sympathy for me:
As time went by, my eyes calmed down and I could focus on reading; and I discovered this gem:
Tonight as we ate a delicious dinner prepared by caring hearts, my son said, "Mom, I'm so glad you have friends." And that pretty much summed it up. I've been loved so well through this ordeal. My sweet family has cared so tenderly for my needs. My mother came to the rescue and scrubbed my house... and even better: taught my kids how to clean a bathroom properly. My mother-in-law took my daughter shopping and restocked my pantry. Dear friends have brought meals, called to check, and dropped off little surprises at the door.
I am finally on the mend. Life is getting back to normal. Tomorrow I plan to get behind the wheel, only if I experience no dizziness of course.
It definitely wasn't the holiday season I had planned. At times it was ugly and humiliating. However, grace was poured over me and I have been reminded that
1. I am well loved
2. His mercies are new every morning.
14 comments:
Glad you are on the mend. That is no fun at all!
Glad you are on the mend. That is no fun at all!
Oh Gretchen! I am so sorry you have gone through this. I hear vertigo is TERRIBLE. So thankful you are on the mend!! :)
So sorry, Gretchen!
My husband gets vertigo from time to time and it is a BEAST. His usually only lasts a few days but it's intense! So grateful for your family and friends who have cared for you so lovingly.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
So sorry, Gretchen!
My husband gets vertigo from time to time and it is a BEAST. His usually only lasts a few days but it's intense! So grateful for your family and friends who have cared for you so lovingly.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Gretchen, I'm so sorry for your vertigo experience. I used to suffer with terrible bouts of vertigo as a teenager. They would just pop up out of no where. I'm so glad I somehow "outgrew" them. But I can totally empathize. I'm glad you're on the mend and look forwarding to reading more words from your heart and life soon. Enjoy the blessings of friends and family!
Beautifully described, my sweet one. SO glad you are on the mend!
😘
I hate that this happened to you! So glad to hear you're feeling better!
Mercy girl, glad you are feeling better. It hit another friend New Year's Day! Heaven is looking so good...
You poor thing, that is NO FUN!!! Glad you are on the mend friend :).
The miracle cure for vertigo I learned from a friend... get thyself to an ENT doctor pronto. They can adjust your "crystals" and cure vertigo right away. Sounds new age-y and strange, but there is a crystal in your inner ear that can get out of balance, as I understand it, and a good ENT will basically tilt your head to fix it. Has worked for several friends now! Good luck!
Miracle cure I learned from a friend... get thyself to a ENT doc pronto. They can adjust your "crystals" and the vertigo goes away right then. Sounds new age-y and strange, but there is a spot in your inner ear that gets out of balance, as I understand it, and the ENT will basically tilt your head to balance it. Has worked for several friends now. Good luck!
A raspberry steamer is steamed milk with raspberry flavoring-no caffeine. It is pink and wonderful! Especially in the evening before bed!!! I was skeptical at first but it is oh so good-not too sweet! And good with a chocolate dessert!
A Facebook friend posted this today, "I hope that none of my FB friends ever gets vertigo because it is HORRIBLE, but if you do I now know the first thing to try. You can see a physical therapist or an audiologist, and he/she can do a simple trick called the Epley maneuver. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderfully simple, yet effective treatment! Wow! No dizziness, no nausea, I can drive again." Hope you never get it again, but in case you do...Take care, Beth
Post a Comment