Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Easter Sunday, rather than dressing up and going to church and getting cute family pictures taken afterwards, John and I spent the day in bed with fevers, coughs and sore throats, while the kids watched TV and fended for themselves. We were out of groceries, and John, feeling better at one point, went to pick up some of the essentials. The store we normally go to was closed for Easter Sunday, so he was on his way empty handed. I sent him a text reminding him that we hadn't done anything for the kids for Easter, and could he please pick up a couple of Easter baskets for the little ones, and some things for dying eggs. So he stopped at Dollar General and picked up dye but no eggs. ha. Thankfully there were still 5 left in the carton, not enough for everybody to dye even one egg, but at least the older kids didn't feel like they needed one. John and I were feeling too tired to hide eggs but the kids had their own little Easter party while we tried to get over our misery. I have taken two rounds of antibiotics in the last month or so for strep throat, and I'm pretty sure it's back.

Today, after I dropped Simeon off with a friend who was taking him to a birthday party, I went to pick up Ava who rides home with a friend who we carpool with. While I waited, I was trying to make some calls to the geneticist's office, where I was supposed to take Zoya an hour later. I was wanting to see if they or another doctor in the office could run a quick strep test on me so I could kind of kill two birds with one stone. All you moms know how hard it is to be sick when you're trying to run a home! There is no time for mom appointments! Might as well try to be seen along with your kids. I kept getting the runaround, or wrong numbers, or disconnection. So there I was in my car, having a pity party over all of Zoya's recent setbacks, and how miserable I felt, and I started crying right there in my car while I waited. Soon my friend arrived and noticed my red puffy eyes. She was understanding and sympathetic, although I just hate to cry in front of other people.

As if I could have felt any worse, five minutes later, I pulled into my driveway and was greeted by the dogs, as usual. They ALWAYS run up to the van to greet me, and they always get out of my way before I pull into the driveway. Well today Nellie did not move out of the way. I heard a loud yelp and I slammed on my brakes. My heart was pounding: I was certain that I was going to find my beloved dog dead under my van. Lo and behold she was bloody, shaking, but not dead. I had to physically pick her up, all 64 pounds of her, and put her in the van. I took some of the kids with me and left others at home and we rushed her to the vet. It appears that I would have completely run over her head if it were not for the thick layer of gravel that was just laid down our driveway a couple of weekends ago. Instead she was able to pull free just before the tire totally crushed her. :(((

Of course we did not make it to Zoya's geneticist follow up appointment that I was on my way to...the one that we've been waiting weeks for.

As you can imagine, I feel really horrible about this, but I am relieved to report though that Nellie is going to be fine. She is scraped up, swollen, has two broken teeth which will need to be extracted and a swollen jaw.....but she is alive.  And her tail is wagging. I was just telling John two nights ago what a great dog she has been, and how I am not looking forward to losing her someday. I am so thankful that today wasn't that day.

I love that I am blessed to know so many good-hearted people. Even before she knew about the dog incident, one friend emailed a gift certificate to Applebees with a note that said:

No sick Mama needs to be in the kitchen.  You deserve a break.  So please accept this gift as my way to make your burden lighter. <3
Galations 6:2

Another brought over strawberry shortcake. We enjoyed the loveliest dinner and dessert at home tonight, and I didn't even have to cook. It was so nice and it really made my day.

So all is well. I am thankful for so many things.....family, faith, health, good friends, but tonight mostly that our sweet Nellie is going to be OK. :)

And hopefully she's learned her lesson about cars.







8 comments:

matt koen said...

So wish we could be there to help carry the load. We miss you guys and take heart that this too shall pass.

Blessings to you all.
Frikkie

Timothy said...

Today is going to be Super Great, Life comes in cycles

Anonymous said...

It's OK to cry sometimes. You need to. My heart was breaking for you as I read the email. I can't even imagine what you've been going through. Thank God your older children are so responsible and able to help. They are amazing. And Nellie...wow! I can't wait until you and John and the kids can get away and enjoy some time together...all healthy and happy. Wish I could help carry the load, too. It WILL get brighter, very soon. Love you all,
Aunt Sharon

Justine said...

Oh, Charissa, I am so sorry for your terrible time, but thankful that your sweet dog is going to be okay. In some small way this post has made me feel less overwhelmed with my life. I hope you can feel that way soon (and not just because one of your friends has it rougher than you.) I'm praying for you since that is all I can do right now. I hope that one day soon I can do more.

Anonymous said...

Oh man. So not fun. Hope you are feeling better and glad Nellie is going to be okay.

Jan

JennyH said...

oh my goodness. I hope everyone is feeling better. How awful about the dog. Glad she is fine though. Sorry you missed the appointment and you had such a bad day.

You have very thoughtful friends!

Cammie Heflin said...

:( wish I was closer to help you out!

Deb D. said...

Ever feel like just crying out, "Uncle!" That's about how I felt for you as I read about how your last few weeks have gone. I am so sorry that life has been throwing some real challenges your way. So glad to hear that sweet Nellie is going to be fine. How sickening that must have felt to deal with all aspects of that. I do wish I lived near so I could come and help. May the care of us "cyber-friends" be some encouragement to you. Thank you for sharing the bad days as well as the good ones. I agree with Matt that "this too shall pass". Hang in there!