Live, from The Med, its Saturday night!

For my debut as "host", I think I will just recount to you my general observations as a 5+ week veteran of The Med....


1. I felt shafted till I saw my first prisoner. And when I fianlly did, I stared.  I shouldn't have, but I did, I couldn't help it. 

2.  If ever in the area, you should totally come have lunch (or breakfast or dinner) at the Med Cafe.  I am tellin' you... it is Thumping'!  All. The. Time!  And, I do not mean mu-sak, either.   I mean the Dazz Band, Rick James, K.C and the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang... loud. Plus, serious soul food on the buffet: fried chicken, green beans with bacon, cornbread, beans, and Brussels’ sprouts.  The staff is mostly friendly and all full of personality.     Its just perfect... perfect.

3.  My Christmas card list grew by at least 4 since we started here.  The new additions are the 4 security guards in the Jefferson Street lot.  Conley, Regina, Carrie and Jonathan.  Talk about Angels Unaware.  They watched out for me, asked about my husband, lined me out if I was mopey, even... on a rare occasion, if I wasn't going to be long... would let me 'borrow' one of the reserved spots.  I always felt safe.  They are awesome and represent some of the finest people, not to mention best of The Med.




Carrie... so encouraging and compassionate





Regina.  Beautiful inside and out AND takes no foolishness.  She will line you out in a minute if you need it.  I did. 



Jonathen... sweet and happy and always interested in your 'case'.

Conley... all business but with a huge heart. Always ready and able to solve a problem or help you.

4.  I received compliments for my, and I quote, 'big legs'. Great.  Just what you want to hear.  I mean ...think big picture, I know.  But, seriously, not the time.  Just not the time.  That guy was lucky as I had vats of pent up frustration at that point.  I wish I had felt just a littlebit threatened and I could have commenced to some major self defense! :)



5.   The first night we arrived, once the TICU staff finally got Thomas stabilized (hours) they called me.  They said I could come see him.  It was 3 in the morning.  Mom, Beth and I loaded up and drove down.  I remember uncontrollably shaking and that didn't stop for about 24 - 36 hours.  Later I learned the reason why they let me come (and probably the reason for the shaking).  They never thought he would make it through the weekend.  But, at that time, I did not officially know that.  We visited him and upon leaving, we were 'trapped in the parking lot'.  We tried inputting our ticket.  Didn't work.  We tried pushing all kinds of buttons.  Didn't work.  Finally, sleep deprived and stressed out, I got out of the car and wrestled, with gusto, the gate arm that was preventing our exit.  There was a security car right across the street, head lights on!  I just knew he was having a good laugh at my expense so I wrestled even harder with the gate... staring at that car, daring him to come over there! Nothing.  Finally Beth or Mom noticed a number you were to call if you were 'trapped' like we were. We called.  They were not finished with the sentence, "A guard will be right there...." When, the afore mentioned car LURCHED across the street to our distress spot.  Irritated, I said, "You were just WATCHING ME try to get out of here...why didn’t' you come help!?!?!?!?!?"  One of the largest men I have ever seen in my life popped out of that car like a cork out of champagne.  Dazed and with eyes the size of dinner plates, he said ... "Ah wuz Uhhhhhh-sleep!"



6.  Nate the Great.  A night shift technician that takes vitals and helps out with whatever and whomever needs it.  He is the happiest person I have ever met.  Every word he says is says is laughed more than spoken.  You just can't help but smile when he’s talking to you.  A wonderful bright spot in a place that can get awfully dreary.

7.    I guess one of the most surprising things is the open-ness in which every thing happens.    This is an OLD facility.    And, while they do an amazing job, there just isn’t the infrastructure to allow the privacy that you would expect.    For instance, when a patient is being wheeled from the ER to surgery, they travel out in the hall with everyone else!  (No picture!)   I know this because I experienced it when T went from one place to the other.    I know this because one Saturday night a while back, we witnessed an apparent gunshot victim being wheeled under our noses!

  It’s surreal, I tell you. You cannot believe what you are seeing!     You feel like you are starring in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy… but I’ve yet to see McDreamy.    (Although I do love our doctors… just not in that way)



It is a rich culture here, that’s for sure.     And, I know it was God’s hand that led us here because if it had really been left up to me, I don’t think I would have ever!    I make fun of me, the former “Least likely to end up at The Med” person you have EVER known.    But, here I am and here we’ve been for 35 days.

  I have to add in a bit of levity but in all seriousness…This is the place to be in a crisis, a trauma.

 

Yes, it has all been surreal.    I am overwhelmed at least once a day by the fact that we ARE here, that this HAS happened and is still.    But, in those daily moments of overwhelmedness… I stop and think about how thankful I am that we did end up here, at The Med.    I say that on this, our SIXTH Saturday night.

 

Good night everybody!



Cue the music…..

for granted

Everything.  That's what I took for granted.  Every. Single. Thing. 
 
I think it was last weekend, I'd left the hospital in search of a Starbucks.  It was a Sunday so it was a safer time for a directionally challenged person, like myself, to navigate the downtown streets.  Everywhere I looked there were couples.  I couldn't help but be sad and a little jealous and realize how much I had taken for granted. 
 
I am so ready to be able to spend time with my husband outside this dreary hospital room.  We ran together, played tennis, spent all kinds of time with our kids and friends.  One of our greatest joys has been having fun with our children, with Thomas and I rivaling them for who was actually the biggest kid of all!  Something Mary-Carter and Reed, even at the ages they are now, have always loved was for T to 'jump' them on the trampoline (they all 3 get on and Thomas makes them fly sky high!)  Thomas can and would do anything for us.  He did anything the kids needed, he can do anything around the house... if I needed (or wanted) it done, he made it happen.  I took it
all for granted. 
 
Take a page from my book.  Before something drastic makes you aware....stop to say thanks for the things in life... your husband or wife, going out for a run or game of tennis, playing with your kids, climbing in the attic, walking into a Starbucks for a coffee date.
 
I believe that God will fully restore Thomas.  I've said that before and I still do claim and believe it.  The two of them, have already moved mountains.  We have had so many praises... T's kidney recovery, the successful grafts, love and support from family and friends, continued progress.  
 
So, where are we?  We are basically in a waiting game now.  We wait to make sure the graft's original success stays.  We wait to make sure we stay on top of and avoid complications after surgery.  We wait, again, for God's perfect timing to prevail.  We pray that Thomas can be ready to go home by Thanksgiving.  Afterall, we have a lot to be thankful for and to not take for granted... 
HIOTT,
jcm
 
 

battles and wars

To: Mullins, JulieSent: Monday, November 08, 2010 11:42 PM
How does that saying go.... something about "You can win the battle and still lose the war"?  That sounds right but, if it was something that was covered in history class, I wasn't paying attention, if I was there at all!   However...I am trying NOT to think of that quote, if I did get it right. I wanna win both.    
We won a battle today!  The grafting surgery went well.  The wound was covered/closed in one surgery which is a huge praise. We pray that in the next 36 or so crucial hours, everything
stays successful with that.  The reason we won is because God answered our prayers.  But, like a battle that youve' seen on television or in a good movie... the minute its over, the victor doesn't often relax oimmediately, they turn around to see whats next, they look over their shoulder. 
 
I'm doing that.  I'm looking.  I am thankful for the victory and preparing for whats next.  
Whats next are just more risks of complications.  Don't misunderstand me... I am not losing faith nor am I being ungrateful for what God has done.  I am just aware now that there is almost always something else getting ready to pick a fight. 
 
A friend of ours shared something with me tonight from Charles STanley.  Its his HALT acronym.  Whenever we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired... we are at our most vulnerable.  Satan is at his peak to pounce when we are in any (or all) of those states.  Aside from Lonely... we got 'em covered here at The Med.   You can arm yourself during these times, I have discovered by praying the word of God.  A friend of mine hand wrote some favorite verses and sent them to me all the way from Minnesota.  I have frayed the pages by running them through my hands, reciting them and claiming their promises.  It makes a difference.  Trust me.
 
So, while its my priviledge and joy to sit beside the bed that contains my snoring husband who is completley kaboshed on pain control meds (Thank the Lord!) ... And, while I do know the only reason that I am sitting beside the bed is the because of the grace of God.  I am looking over my shoulder.  I know something could else could be next.  I just have to find the balance between being a reasonable 'patient advocate' and coming to a HALT!! 
 I know this post isn't as uplifting as some of my others.  I just think right now, this one is more for my records and reflection. "better out than in" :)
 
Thank you for caring for my family and for your amazing support and prayer coverage. 
 
No matter whats coming next,what battle,  I DO KNOW STILL AND ALWAYS...
 
HIOTT
 
and we will win the war.

"...glory to the Father"

Oh my friends. All of you, some I don't even know....thank you for your love and faithful friendship and most of all your prayers.

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in my name and I will do it."
John 14:13-14

Thomas came out of a 4+ hour grafting surgery with answered prayers! The surgery was a success! We are so very thankful for that! Praise God.

We are so grateful to you! Thank you for caring for our family...

Hiott!
Julie and Thomas

peace that passes understanding

Thomas's favorite verse is especially comforting tonight:
"Do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guide your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ."

Thank you for caring for our family, for reading this and for your prayers.
HIOTT,
Julie and Thomas