(Ch. 19 of my story of how I became deaf…)
The doctors and nurses finally sent Mama home. She had been by my side in the hospital non-stop since I had arrived. Mama was beyond exhausted. She was sleep deprived and her own body was giving way to the long foodless hours and sleepless nights. My mother realized this and could no longer fight the fact that she needed rest, and to get back to attend to of the rest of our family. So, she organized a round-the-clock vigil, assigning aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and friends to be present in shifts.
Dr. Keller sent Mama home with some sleeping pills to help her rest and told her he would call her if there were any changes.
Mama surrendered, relinquished her post, and went home to my step-dad and my siblings. Roger had still been out of work, which was at this time, a godsend, as it allowed him to take care of the family while Mama stayed with me at the hospital most of the time. She didn’t want to leave me, but she knew she had to go. She loved everyone up at home, tucked them in bed, and helped them say their prayers for me before she popped in a sleeping pill, and collapsed onto her bed.
Not ten minutes later, the phone rang. Dr. Keller sadly had to call Mama back only a short time after she had gone. He very reluctantly explained, “You’d better come on back. She’s taken a turn for the worse. Her temperature has peaked to 106, and she has no blood pressure. We’re concerned that she might have a possible blood clot and that her heart might be failing.”
Mama told me later that if she hadn’t taken that sleeping pill, she would have completely broken down and ceased to function. But, the pill subdued her reaction and helped her get to me in one piece. Roger drove her to the hospital while my 16 year old step-sister stayed with my younger siblings.
Mama and Roger arrived that night to find me in the ICU with a cathedra line into my heart. They had been giving me units and units of blood. My body was using up all the platelets from those units faster than they could replace the bags of blood. While the doctors kept watch, Mama and Roger got on the phone and began calling Roger’s local Union, all the people Mama worked with, and all our family members, urging them to go down and donate blood for me, and to pray.
It was a call to arms, and in the days ahead, countless people went to give blood, finally grateful for some way they could help.
(Footnote: Don’t give up on the story yet. It has been important for me to share what life was like before I became deaf so that people understand the significant transition that occurred when I became deaf — a transformation I not only understand and accept, but also celebrate! Keep on reading! These middle chapters entitled: Deaf or Death tell the dramatic story of the illness that took my hearing. Keep reading! More coming soon…)
I really enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for sharing. Bless your heart for sharing your story with us.
Left by Dianne K on July 23rd, 2007
Thank you Dianne for reading me. I’m honored and humbled.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007
I anticipate the end of your story! That’s one hell of a thing you had to go through, and you are blessed to still be here. I’m glad you shared this story- I would never have imagined TSS can mean ‘Deaf or Death’, wow!
Well written, too. Thank you!
Left by Heather on July 23rd, 2007
Heather, thanks for reading along. TSS is something every woman should understand. I hope my story helps educate and inform. Stay tuned….
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007
LaRonda - WOW!!! I keep reading and reading to the end, I’m like UH! Where’s the rest, when is she finishing the next.
I’m telling you, I ALMOST never ever read - “books”…and yours is the 2nd book in my WHOLE LIFE - that I am ACTUALLY following…..
You need to get this book published…..talk about you, and how you became deaf, and all those feelings, spirits…WOW!!!!!
Left by B.A.D. on July 23rd, 2007
Sorry you had to go thru all those suffering episodes, awful. Poor u!
I’m not sure what the dx is that causing all that chaos within u.
Left by drmzz on July 23rd, 2007
B.A.D., I am humbled that you are following my story. I will continue until Aug. 8th. Don’t give up yet. More good stuff coming!
DRMZZ, the doctors weren’t really bad. I was delirious with fever and so hallucinations were part of my experience. I was so foggy that things seemed much different than they actually were. My illness was very severe so a lot of my interpretation was due to the illness that was overtaking my body at that time. It’s a pretty dramatic story. One that seems to hold the attention of a few loyal readers. A good summer read! Keep coming back.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007
I was reserving my response until the end…but, this is a hard to put down blog and very emotional to read. I had no idea how serious TSS is even though I had read about it years ago. You’re a great writer. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
Left by Critic on July 23rd, 2007
A good call to donate blood! I gotta do that.
Left by Belle on July 23rd, 2007
I would love to read your entries on “Deaf or Death”, but I was on iPhone (I’m on vacation) and had a heck of a time finding the beginning of your story. When I checked into your website at the internet cafe, I couldn’t find the archives (normally published on the sidebar). As I’m allowed only 30 minutes online, I was unable to find it. So if you could email me the permalink of your first entry of “Deaf or Death”, I could save the link into my iPhone…from reading other people’s comments, it sounds like it could be great reading for me during the long ride home from North Carolina to Philly!
Left by Patty81 on July 23rd, 2007
Patty,
To begin my storyblog, go here:
http://www.earofmyheart.com/wordpress/?p=162
Then click “Next” at the top of each blog post. It will take you chapter by chapter. If you have questions, please ask.
Thanks for reading.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007