Monday, October 23, 2006

Against all odds

So here we are, the three of us after a lovely brunch yesterday. I haven't gone to brunch in a decade or so, I think. It was the most perfect fall day one could ask for; not too hot and not too cold. The sunlight was beautiful on the cottonwood trees that are turning yellow.

52 years ago, whe my mom was about 5 months pregnant with me, her "food tubes" became gangerene (sp?) and they caught it just before it went systemic. I believe she was hospitalized for this and was given a heavy course of antibiotics.

Then, when she was 7 months pregnant with me, she was attacked in her home while asleep (dad was away at boot camp). Very traumatic event, and I'm sure she was given a drug that we know as "DES" (the name is too long to spell here) to keep me from coming too early. 'Preemies' back in the '50s did not have a good survival rate. But, survive I did.

At four years of age, I got into a brand new bottle of St. Joseph's baby aspirin (yep, it was on the highest shelf in the cupboard, but I could climb anything like a monkey). I remember getting it and opening it up and eating some. Guess I ate the whole bottle, mom tells me. She thought I was acting strangely and then noticed the orange on the sides of my mouth. She found the empty bottle and I was rushed to the hospital to have my stomach pumped. Had she discovered this 15 or 20 minutes later, I would not be here right now.

So, I suppose that's at least three times that I escaped death; I'm very, very lucky to be here today as I think I've survived a few events against all odds. I think that makes the perspective of celebrating life even sweeter. Against all odds.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

And I am lucky that you did survive! You are a great friend and such an inspiration when it comes to thinking out of the box. I'm not sure there is a box in the room when you are thinking stuff up! Happy birthday my friend. I am glad that you are alive and in Albuqueruqe.

Raesha D said...

Happy Birthday!!! You are absolutely beautiful and I would never guess you are a day over 40!!!!

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