Wednesday, September 2, 2009

BIRTHDAY GAL UPDATE

This is going to be a short post. (Okay, I heard that sigh of relief…and your name is on the list!)
I have a bit of news to report on the birthday gal, AKA my blue-eyed progeny, Lacy B. (See previous post.) Jain at Bankside had asked if Lacy cried when she read the piece. The short answer is no, but the slightly longer answer is she might have done so if she'd been capable. Here's the story—although to spare my offspring a certain amount of embarrassment and myself a possible whipping, you'll have to fill in some of the specific details yourself.
Soon after I posted the piece, I sent Lacy a text message to check the blog. Lacy is a psychologist who works with children. Because her appointments are often stacked, she sometimes can't call back for several hours. So I wasn't worried when I didn't hear from her right away. I was sort of wondering, however, when I hadn't heard from her by dark—though I just figured she and Dave were probably having dinner out, to celebrate her birthday and his first day at the new job.
About 8:00 Dave called to say Lacy was desperately ill with some sort of stomach/intestinal virus and had been being sick for several hours, starting right after work and on the way home in the car. She was now to the point of being continuously sick. They both wanted to know what I thought about her going to the hospital's emergency care unit. I said that was exactly the right thing to do, given the loss of fluids. Plus I wanted them to be sure they weren't dealing with the H1Ni virus.
The upshot is that Lacy spent the remainder of her birthday in the hospital. By the time she got there, her veins were starting to collapse. She ended up receiving two units of fluids plus medication for the nausea. They discharged her a bit after 1:00 a.m. Some birthday.
Dave, of course, had to report to work for day two of his new job training. I know he couldn't possibly have felt up to par, considering his ordeal between the ER and the pre and post care at home. So I spent most of yesterday keeping Lacy company at her condo, and seeing she got more fluids in her. She was feeling some better this morning when she called before heading to work—though still not eating. According to the ER docs, this particular virulent virus is currently making the rounds locally. She and her neighbor/friend, plus two other women, all of whom had attended the same wedding shower Sunday afternoon, all came down with this same bug.
So…the truth is, I don't know if Lacy has yet to actually read the post I did for her birthday. Dave read it to her in the ER while the IVs were dripping. She might have cried…but probably not because of my words or literary talents; any shed tears were likely over how miserable she felt and the thoughts of the oncoming hospital.
I can't say I blame her. Aging can be hard on daughters and fathers.
P.S. Hope you're feeling much better this evening, Lacy. Now…GET WELL!
Love, Dad.

32 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

So glad your birthday girl is back home and on the mend. What a scary ordeal for her and the men who love her.

Not a great way to spend a birthday. I'm sure your loving post will help make it all better.

Jain said...

Oh, the poor thing! That sounds awful, what an awful way to end a birthday - and start a new job. I hope Lacy's feeling fine very soon!

Jenn Jilks said...

The poor girl, but the poor dad, too! Nothing worse than having a sick kid. Keep us posted. :-)

Wanda..... said...

That is not a fun way to spend a birthday...I'm sure she appreciated spending time with her Dad though...Hope she will feel completely well quickly...It's terrible to be sick anytime, but especially on a birthday.

KGMom said...

And all the readers of Scribe's blog, who care about Scribe, say AMEN. Lacy, keep getting better. And stay well.

Bernie said...

Oh Grizz, I am so sorry to read that Lacy was so ill. I am very pleased that she had her husband and her dad to take care of her.
Get well soon Lacy and know you are in my prayers. All the best Grizz, try not to worry as I know she wouldn't want you too. I am sure the hospital wouldn't of released her unless they thought the virus was under control.
Take care my friend, you are in my prayers as well.....:-) hugs

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

Nope, a lousy ordeal. And we were all concerned. But a birthday she'll never forget!

Thanks for you nice words.

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

I spoke to her about 7:30 and she was still feeling drained—and very sore from all the heaving. But she managed to see her clients at work…and managed to eat a little bit. So better than yesterday, for sure.

Thank you for writing.

Grizz………… said...

Jenn…

You never stop being a parent—or worrying like one. And it never gets easier. I will keep you posted.

Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Well, it was a good thing we got her birthday dinner in on Saturday night—otherwise, we'd all have had to have IVs at the hospital.

Not only did Lacy and I get to spend some time together yesterday—including a shared nap, she on the couch, me in her great leather wingback chair after the book I was reading somehow fell off my lap and pulled my eyelids shut—but I had some good rebonding time with the granddog and the grandcats.

Thank you for writing.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Well, it was a day and then some to remember. And worthy of amens all around.

And I'll make sure Lacy knows her marchin' orders.

Thank you…

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Lacy is on the mend, sore and drained—in more ways than one—but getting better. I'm really glad. And we all—the whole family—do appreciate your prayers. I mean that sincerely.

And thank you so much for your concern and nice words.

Rowan said...

Poor Lacy, what a horrible way to spend her birthday. I hope she is feeling much better very soon.

Jayne said...

Poor poor Lacy! So glad to hear she's on the mend. A really sad place to have to be on your birthday.

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

Not where you want to be on your birthday, for sure…though as sick as she was, getting help was vital. Dehydration past a certain stage can be dangerous, even deadly, so I'm glad she went. But it wasn't a fun afternoon/evening.

She's getting better, though.

Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Jayne…

A rough birthday all around—and she's still dealing with the aftermath. But I'm sure—given your profession—you understand the situation better than I do. I'm just glad she could get help.

Thank you for writing.

giggles said...

Aaaaaaaaaw, man....... Thoughts and prayers.... Glad to know she's on the mend......

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ -

Oh my, quite an ordeal for your baby-girl. I am so glad she is on the mend and that her husband and her Dad took care of her.

Love Gail
peace.....

Carolyn H said...

Yikes! What a lousy way to spend a birthday. Keep that virus out of Pennsylvania, though! I don't even want to think about it.

Carolyn h.

Grizz………… said...

Giggles…

Yeah, that was kinda her reaction, too—though few moments when she could manage to react instead of saluting the porcelain bowl.

She is mending, though slowly. Still not able to eat she told me a couple of hours ago.

Thank you for your nice comments…

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Your kids are always your kids—no matter their age. And you were right, we were all worried, and are glad to now see here getting better.

You help all you can (in my case, not much) but what you'd really like to do is just have it be you instead of them.

Thank you, though, for writing. I appreciate it.

Grizz………… said...

Carolyn…

A nasty bug indeed. Whatever it was, it laid several of the gals who attended that shower low. I suspect if they knew exactly who did 'em in, they'd have a few words of something other than thanks to say.

But don't worry—I don't believe even the most sophisticated virus can be passed via a blog post…so you're safe. (Although I did point them in the general direction of Roundtop and assured them you'd welcome their whole clan. Nope…no need to thank me; glad to help.)

Seriously, thank you for writing.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh Scribe - we never stop worrying about them, do we? Do hope that nasty bug has now gone on its way and the birthday girl can celebrate - albeit a bit late in the day.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

No, we never stop worrying because we never stop being a parent; parenthood is for life.

Lacy is feeling some better, still not eating much if anything, though. But time will take care of that, I expect. She's not up to celebrating just yet, however.

Thank you for your encouraging and understanding.

Kelly said...

...gosh...that is a dangerous virus. My young neighbor (17-years old) also spent two days in the hospital being pumped with fluids. They tested her again and again for H1N1, but it was the "other" virus going around. I'm glad your daughter is recuperating. It took my lovely neighbor several more days before she could eat...soon after her strength returned and now she is fine.

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

As of yesterday (Saturday) Lacy still wasn't feeling back to normal or able to eat much. She's gaining ground, but this must have really been some virus. Sounds to me like your neighbor had pretty much the same thing. At the hospital where Lacy went, they told her a number of people had recently been admitted and treated with fluids and such because of this same virus.

Thank you for asking.

Jain said...

I've been noticing "flu shots available" signs (not H1N1, but the "other" flu) at the local pharmacies. I was going to hold off till October, but my mate wanted to get it over with. The pharmacist told us the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is recommending early flu shots this year -- I hadn't heard that before. If I get sick, I end up with pneumonia, so I'm glad to be done with it.
Continued best wishes for Lacy!

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

I'm on the Board of Directors for the area's Community Health Center, and one of the bits of business at last week's meeting was to go over our ordered supply of H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. We anticipate distributing about 500,000 of the former—which is administered in 2-doses over a 4-6 week period; I can't remember the number for seasonal (but larger) with the recommendation that it be given as early as possible.

For adults with good immune systems, H1N1 isn't actually as harsh as seasonal—which is something I don't think most folks know. But I'm taking all, and as early as possible. If you want the best protection, that's the route.

TheChicGeek said...

So Sweet :D
Happy Birthday, Lacy!

Grizz………… said...

ChickGeek…

I'll pass your birthday wishes along. Thank you from both of us!

Jain said...

Thanks for the extra bit of background on the vaccines!

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

You're welcome. (But just consider the source…and mind your doctor.)