MONONUCLEOSIS....NOT ELIZA'S FAVORITE TOPIC THESE DAYS...
Those of you who see me on a daily basis know that I've been consumed lately with caring for Eliza... Ms. Teenage Farm Socialite has been stopped in her tracks for the last two weeks with a whopper of strep throat, a horrendous sinus infection, and a case of mono that has landed her in the bed for days on end. In all honesty, it's been rough. With a blood cell count three times the normal number, a throat so sore she couldn't swallow, hours upon end of vomiting because of the incessant nasal draining, a steady external nasal flow (more snot that I could ever believe a body could produce), and high fever, it has been all I could do to keep her comfortable and hydrated. I was a frightened as she, but I couldn't let her see my concern and worry. I was not nearly as exhausted, but after a week and a half of constant caretaking, I will confess to being a rather fatigued mom. Never have I seen any of my children so sick, and it wasn't fun.
I do believe we've turned the corner, however. She's still weak and requires mucho rest, but the MD who saw her on Monday has given her permission to attend school for a half day for the next three weeks. Depending on what a second blood count shows at that point, E. will either return all day or have another three weeks of half time. She has to drop PE and rearrange her schedule so she can be finished by mid-day. She's not a happy camper about all this, but she's quite willing to concede that she'll do anything not to have to experience the "mono blast" again.
Despite it all, the two of us have had some really wonderful and genuine mom/daughter moments. In the midst of the worst of her illness, I got word that my friend, Cliff, had passed away (see previous blog post), so last Saturday afternoon, the afternoon of his memorial, I sat on the bed and told Eliza stories of good times with Cliff, her dad, and me many years ago. We also talked a lot about close to the heart matters....her boyfriend, dating issues, powerful things that young women have to be prepared to face in today's world, sexuality stuff, etc. Since all she really felt like doing was listening, I talked and talked, answered her questions, and talked some more. After we finished our chat, we watched a red-tail hawk outside my bedroom door for a long time as it preened itself in the chestnut tree across the driveway, hopped around looking for mice, and sunbathed. I do think the hawk was sent to us by Cliff as his way of checking in and letting us know all was well with him in the world of spirit. From there, I went into the kitchen, turned on the Sirius radio, and heard Bob Marley singing "Redemption Song," a song that I have heard Cliff (and Sam) sing many, many times over..."Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds...." I couldn't help by cry a few tears as I heard those two best friends singing in my mind.. It was a sweet, sweet moment...
So, in terms of past blog posts, only Mary Ann ventured a vote for favorite 2006 blog entry. (Mary Ann, you might be the only person who reads my ramblings!) She said she enjoyed the photos of the farm I post from time to time. My personal favorite entry is the story of Molly, the corgi who got stuck on the back porch this fall. (See October entries.) I will never forget the look of disgust on that dog's face, especially when she saw me pull out the camera!
Other items of interest here at the farm these days.....an amaryllis and orchid in bloom, a layer of snow on the ground that really highlights the peace sign and spiral I have cut in the fields, a couple of knitting projects in progress (I even have Eliza knitting...it's a great pastime for "sickies."), and the Christmas decorations STILL to take down...Plans are to get to the Christmas decorations this weekend...
Orders from headquarters to all: Remember to layer up, wear warm clothes, cover your head in the cold, and put on your scarf! Hydrate your body and keep the spirit light! Only two more months until the spring equinox!!
More later...Namasté...T.
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