As promised I don't write blogs very often but when I do I try to have something interesting to say that most readers will be able to relate to.You know how you see a friend in Target that you haven't seen in ages and they say, " I haven't seen you in so long! How is your family and what have you been doing?" Sometimes you have a difficult time accounting for yourself and what you have been doing with your precious time, now don't you?. Well, I can account for mine realllllllly well thank you very much.because our family has had a lot going on the past 6 months. So if I evaluate my friend correctly and surmise that they truly care to hear my short summary of the Bridges Chronicles then I give them the Readers Digest version quickly.Here's my speech: Well we took a driving trip to Montana to see our parents. One parent returns with us only to be hospitalized twice while visiting us in California. One set of parents decided to move out of their home of 30+ years. I had major foot surgery. Parents need help moving into new retirement home. Father in law passes away suddenly. Emotional funeral and goodbyes to Dad our patriarch. Beach family vacation with children and grandchildren. Big family wedding in So Cal with 80th birthday party for mother in law. Fall holidays arrive. Granddaughter gets potty trained. We are exhausted and take a much needed break to Hawaii. Long awaited news that our oldest daughter is pregnant with our 4th grandchild due in October! Birth of our 3rd grandchild Andrew John! I get bronchitis and I'm not getting better with given antibiotic. Ok, I brought you up to speed. Are you still with me? This is where it gets interesting!
Cough Cough cough cough COUGH! I tell my husband that I am sore from c o u g h i n g. Then one day last week I tell him I can't move and I'm in severe pain crying. Just ice and take ibuprofen is his calm advice. I decide that I'm not going to follow his advice and 24 hours later I'm at the Dr getting X-rays that reveal a broken rib and fluid on my lungs. If you have experienced a broken rib before than you totally understand the pain I am talking about right now...It is a 10 on the pain scale those health helpers ask you about. I'm happy to report that a new antibiotic has reduced the cough and with rest I should heal in 4-6 weeks. Tell me why is it, that to really slow down your life, God may have to insert a physical obstacle to make us busy bee types stop long enough to heal? Why can't I seem to understand that pausing to "heal" daily would be so much easier? The "coming to a screeching halt" is so arduous.See my earlier post about my foot surgery to prove I am clearly not learning this lesson.
Here are a few things I've learned during my broken rib trauma thus far:
1.My brother Ron said to not self diagnose and get back into the Dr. Listen to your older brother.
2.If you are in pain and a friend insists on driving and helping you...you allow her to assist you and you thank her profusely. Do not act like you are fine with a broken rib. You are not fine. Her name is Laurie I can totally give you her number. Message me.
3. Carry around a soft fluffy pillow to cough into. Yelling after coughing is totally acceptable behavior and is encouraged at my house.
4. Laughing and sneezing hurt like crazy!!! Tell your comedic friends to postpone their visits.
5. This is your time to "rest and slow down". Embrace it.
6.If you let the dog in with wet feet and nobody is around to help you dry him off...then everyone in your home will understand your dilemma and forgive you for his cute little paw prints... everywhere...on the hardwood floor. Sorry honey.
7. I'm either a really poor inefficient cougher OR maybe i'm a reallllllly amazing big girl cougher. Jury is still out on that one since I got the broken rib result.
8. You CAN get stuck in a chair you can't get out of.
9. Be advised to accept any offers of meals, help, sweet pea flowers and sincere sympathy.
10. If you offer to bring me a meal, please don't bring barbecued ribs, braised short ribs or even a full rack of ribs...that is not funny.
Lessons learned can be good and valuable if you choose joy even in the midst of coughing. It took me a few rounds of tears but I eventually got there.
Blessings my friends
In Isaiah 43:2, God says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you" (NKJV).
Lorrie
