Sunday, May 1, 2011

Catch Up

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 66 degrees, high 77 degrees, partly cloudy skies, breezy

It has been almost a week since I posted. What a week it has been! I guess the best place to start is at the beginning.

The last time I posted was Sunday evening, as my sister Janie was getting ready to go home. The next morning, Janie left. I was feeling really bad, so I called my cardiologist in Athens about it. He told me to get to to his office as soon as possible. An ekg showed that I was in atrial fibrillation, even though the pacemaker I had installed was supposed to help.

I was immediately placed in ICU, where treatment was started to get the AF under control. The AF was controlled that evening, but other problems had arisen that needed to be addressed. When the pacemaker was installed, my fluid retention medicine stopped working, and I gained ten pounds in less than five days. After two days, a combination of drugs was found that started the pump flowing again.

On Wednesday morning at 0500 hours, I was awakened by a nurse who said the area was under a tornado warning. Everyone was moved in to the hall for more protection. That warning did not result in a tornado hitting Athens.

At 1200 hours on Wednesday, another tornado warning was announced for the area. Back in to the hall. This tornado did hit the area, causing deaths, injuries, and destruction.

At 1700 hours, another warning, which resulted in another hit for the area. More deaths, injuries, and destruction. We were trying to be released from the hospital at that time, so it was rather hectic.

One of the tornadoes that hit in the afternoon destroyed the neighborhood where we lived in the 1980s, including a home we had built that we thought was going to be our retirement home.

We finally got home about 2000 hours, where we had no damage, but there was not any electricity. No problem, at least we were safe, and I was doing better.

We saw things that day I don't care to see again. Large amounts of debris fell for hours, including sheet metal, tree parts, insulation, and just about anything else we use in a modern world.

We got everything ready to go to Atlanta the next morning, when we left for my doctor's appointment over there. Leaving at 0500 hours in the morning, we were at the doctor's office a few minutes early. After doing the paperwork, we were called back for a complete examination and personal history. Then, the doctor said he had hope to offer me, which made us feel good, because we had no hope before. He explained my disease again, and said he had several treatment options that had promise for me. The rest of the day was spent with tests, x-rays, and scheduling.

We spent the night in Atlanta, and arrived home Friday afternoon. The electricity was
still off, with no idea when it would come back on. Still, we felt we were fortunate. Many people lost loved ones, had injuries, or lost everything they owned.

Saturday was spent resting and trying to catch up with things that had been ignored all week. The electricity came back on about 1730 hours that night while we were gone to get supper. Nice surprise to come back to. Carolyn put it very well when she the power being off wasn't hard, just inconvenient. We did lose everything in the refrigerator and freezer, but still count ourselves fortunate.

Today was more resting and catching up. I think we're getting there, just in time to back to Atlanta on Tuesday for more testing.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Together We Can Build A Bridge To The Future

Not all who wander are lost.

2 comments:

Carol and Bob Higginbotham said...

A sigh of relief has come over me! So glad that you are ok from the tornado. You sure do not need any more problems! You are indeed very fortunate! Hope all goes well on Tues. Will be praying for you! We have a lot of damage in our area! The town of Ringgold Ga. About 5miles from us had a ef4 and really hard hit. We were in
Santa Rosa Beach Fl. When the bad storms hit. We had a huge oak tree that split and fell in our front yard bot only scratched the house. The remainder that is up is hanging over our house. We got home yesterday and started cleanup. The tree knocked down all line to the house and we still have no power,cable, Internet or telephone. We have the camper on a generator and we have a gas water heater so we are ok. I so agree with Carolyn just a inconvenience. Makes us appreciate more what we take for grantedNot complaining as we are very lucky! We are keeping you in our hearts and in prayer. If we can be of ant assistance please give us a call at 423 490-8550 or 423 596-1235byroggie

Jerald said...

Look like you guys were in a good place while all the weather was occurring. I hope the cleanup continues well, and the bad weather stays away.

Jerald