Poor Momma

Well, I know which segment of my DNA contained my graceful tendencies (or lack thereof). My sweet, sweet mother came home Friday from another "hard" day at the golf course and took the puppies outside. Good ole' NC finally started getting some much-needed rain and when Momma came back inside with the dogs, she slipped in her flip-flops. Turns out she is an all-or-nothing girl, just like me. She broke and dislocated her ankle, as well as tearing tendons. All this I found out at 10 p.m. Friday night when my sister called to fill me in. Yesterday morning, I got to call and talk to her (in the hospital), only to find out that she was scheduled for surgery at 12:30 and, oh yeah, my step-father is scheduled to fly to Munich in a week for his j-o-b, which will leave my partially-incapacitated mother at home. 2Bit is one week into her new job in DC, Gma-hoof can't get there and while, yes, mom has a lot of friends in the area, I would rather be there to take care of her.
But I did enjoy my mom's story on how *she* told the EMS workers what to do after she pulled herself to the kitchen, called 911, Stepdaddy, and her golf-buddy Andrea to tell her she wouldn't be able to go to Myrtle Beach for the tournament. (She has her priorities in order, for sure) Once EMS arrived, they brought the stretcher to her family room where she told them to stop there and she would come to them (she didn't want her floor or walls scratched). With her injured leg in the air--elementary school crabwalk-style, she pulled herself across the floor to the stretcher. One of the EMS guys told her he was going to pick her up and put her on the stretcher, "Oh, no," she said, "Let me do it." So she lifted herself up and onto the stretcher. Then they brought out an air-cast.
Mom: Don't put that thing on me! --so they didn't.
EMS: But ma'am, we have to stabilize you before we go
Mom: Got a sheet?
EMS: Yeah
Mom: Take the sheet and tie it to the top of the bus and use it as a sling
EMS: But ma'am, we should really...
Mom: No. Just use it as a sling. I'm not bringing my leg any lower.
EMS: Would you like something to take the edge off?
Mom: That would be great--so they gave her some Delaudid
Mom: Okay, guys. You're going to have to hurry up with that sheet, 'cause it's getting harder to hold my leg up.--thus ended the conversation in which my mom, once again, ran the show. The rest of the ride to the hospital consisted of them commending Momma for not crying or screaming or any of that. She simply told them that if she cried, she wouldn't be able to breathe as well, which would make it hurt more. She is one tough lady; that's for sure.

So, for the last several hours, I've been working on figuring out exactly when Stepdaddy leaves for Germany, checking my vacation/sick time at work to make sure I have enough and evaluating the the patient schedule to see if I can get everyone covered. The next step is to buy a plane ticket or just get the car ready for the 11-hour drive home. Honestly, I'd rather drive. I'm just very grateful I have so many great people in my department. Now to get it past Dr G and, if it works out, put all the plans I've made into action.

Be safe walking in flip-flops in the rain! :-)