(Ch. 16 of my story of how I became deaf…)

Over the next few days, I began to retain nearly 30 lbs. of fluid that my failing kidneys could not eliminate. I was so backed up and bloated that the whites of my eyes ruptured and the skins of my eyelids split open.

Photo by: Sheila Steele

As the accumulating fluid began to put pressure on my lungs and heart making it difficult for me to breathe, Dr. Keller decided to intubate, and put me on a respirator in case my lungs or heart failed. I was in critical condition.

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Deaf, Family, Grief, Health, Hearing Loss, Miscellaneous, My Story, Support | 7 Comments »

(Ch. 15 of my story of how I became deaf…)

On July 12th, 1981, a Priest was called to administer the Last Sacraments.

Photo by: “Andrea R.”

My condition was critical. Mama’s daddy, my Grandpa Ransom, called for a Catholic priest to come to my hospital room in the ICU and administer the Sacraments — specifically, the “Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.” It is also known as the “Sacrament of Last Rites.” My family believed that the grace of this Sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of a serious illness, or when one is in danger of death. Yet, I didn’t realize what was fully happening to me or how close I was to dying…

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Deaf, Family, Grief, Health, Hearing Loss, Love, Meaning, Miscellaneous, My Story, Parenting, Spiritual, Support | 3 Comments »

(Ch. 14 of my story of how I became deaf…)

Photo by: Valerie Briscoe

I wasn’t alert for the conversations between Dr. Keller, my parents, and the other medical staff caring for me at St. Agnes Hospital, but Mama told me what happened afterward. The doctors and nurses continued to poke, prod, test, look at, and listen to my body, trying everything they could to figure out why I had a fever of 105, why I continued to vomit in dry heaves, and why my skin was so pink and rashy. While hunting for clues, Dr. Bullard decided to do a pelvic exam. He had to rule out any STD’s or infections that might be causing my illness.

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Deaf, Family, Grief, Health, Hearing Loss, Miscellaneous, My Story, Parenting, Support | 1 Comment »