Quote of The Day

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sunday Scribblings "Hospital History"

Sometimes you need more than a band aid.
My dads sixty fifth birthday during his retirement party.

It was November, in the background is my signature pumpkin. Dad was diagnosed less than two months later with cancer of the esophagus. Mom clearly at his side was diagnosed five years later, also with Carcinoma, but of the lungs. Heavy smokers, mom started at thirty, hoping to keep her weight down. I have never felt the urge to try even a drag of a cigarette. Neither has my brother.



Sunday Scribblings " Hospital"

This may be a touch dry, but it is a little history,

in the best order that I can remember it.


Hospital History


Born in one

To a woman five feet tall,

One hundred three pounds

She hiked her skirt on

A Completely svelte body

Immediately after my birth

I was back at two

With pneumonia

Several return bouts

Adenoids were removed

At three years old

Then again at five

Along with tonsils

Then in my eighth year

Close to death

Exploratory surgery

Reveals

A burst appendix

Fifteen years later

A slip at work,

Caste for torn ligaments

Seven years pass

Twenty two hours

In a serene birthing room

Catastrophic pain

Wanting to die

My daughter is born

And I hemorrhage.

Next day

I set my hair

Prepared for motherhood

Following six weeks

In palliative care

My dad passes

Five years later

Palliative care again

I sit a vigil daily

For hours

Sometimes over night

Three months later

In the heat of the summer

She dies

Leaving me

A Thirty five year old

Orphan

10 comments:

JP (mom) said...

Many milestones in this hospital history, Sherrie. Wonderful pic of your parents ... I bet their smiling down upon you. Peace & love, JP/deb

gma said...

Being an orphan is devasting at any age. I'm one too! Great post! Covered alot of territory and feeling in these words.

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful heartfelt post.

KaiBlue said...

what a touching set of thoughts you've shared Sherri..
very meaningful post,
PEace and love, Kai xx

Tumblewords: said...

Well-written history of hospital events...very touching, warm and conversational. Stay well!

Anonymous said...

What a poignant post, Sherrie. I was orphaned at 41 - I think no matter how old we - or they - are, it's just so hard to let them go.
((hugs))

Lucy said...

such a beautifully touching post Sher. Your parents look like the best. So sorry you've had to say goodbye to them already. xoxo

Shelley Hrdlitschka said...

'The hospital' is a good metaphor for life altering moments. This is an interesting poem, using the hospital visits to show the many turning points in your life.

Poignant Sherrie!
Shelley

Unknown said...

tears, words are powerful. Very powerful
Ang

Mary Bee said...

This is an interesting thing to choose to revisit and write almost poetically. I enjoyed the read and it makes me want to turn it into a MeMe and do one for myself. Yikes.

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