Reflections on the Future

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((HUGS)))))) To All ~

As I celebrate the milestone of my 500th post here at the "new" Braintalk, I'm reminded of Mama Sue, our dear friend, who convinced me to join CN 12 years ago. I was reluctant, but she was persuasive. She assured me that I would be welcomed with open arms and loving friendship. She was so right.

Soon after I joined, I felt comfortable and included, so I actively participated. My children, Jim and I were embraced with affection and kindness, and we were the recipients of countless prayers during many crises. The outpouring of love to us by our CN family, when Michael passed, comforted and strengthened us. CN and our Coping with the Loss of a Child forum provided me with a soft place to fall at the most difficult times on our journey.

Naturally, I fell in love with all of our CN children, and I think about each one of them so often, and I wish their moms and dads would visit here with an update. So many of them are teens or adults now. To all of you: I miss you.

Our Precious Angels always remain close to my heart, and I pray for peace and comfort to surround their moms, dads, and siblings.

I would be remiss, if I failed to acknowledge the wealth of information I've received from CN and BT through these past 12 years. The benefit of the experience of others, that first hand understanding, is incomparable. I have learned so much here. What a tremendous resource BT/CN has been and continues to be.

I have met the most remarkable, courageous, and amazing people here on CN and Braintalk. I am in awe of the endurance and perseverance of BT folks, who battle against odds, with warmth, wisdom, and humor.

Thank You Braintalk Family. Thank You CN Family. Thank You Mike Weins and David Hosobuchi.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for what you've given to me and my family. Thank you for allowing me to offer what I have to give back to you.

And, Mama Sue, thank you for taking my hand and leading me here. Wherever you are, I pray that your life is blessed with peace and joy.

In your honor, I reach my hand out to past and future members of our CN family to join in the fellowship and community, which we are so blessed to have here.

This post is dedicated to you, Mama Sue, with love and gratitude.

Love & Light,

Rose

[Donna Thomson]

Dear Rose, I remember Mama Sue - she was our guiding light and now you are that light. I hope that she is happy and healthy somewhere and thinks of us sometimes, as we are thinking of her now. So many memories of the old days of CN - remember Linder's card shop? I always wondered who Linder was. I hope you, Jim and Jon are all doing well and that Jon has that beautiful smile on his face! Sending a hug to you all, Donnax

[funnylegs4]

Congrats on posting 500 times and beautiful thoughts.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Donna))))))

Yep, sure do miss Mama Sue. She deserves a peaceful happy life.

I do remember Linder's card shop. And, I also have no idea who Linder is.

Thanks for your good wishes for us. Jon is very well, thankfully. He had his cath changed today, and I was so nervous about it. But it went in smoothly with no trauma or bleeding, and it's fully in there this time. His nurse was quite cautious, and she also discovered today a method of insertion that glides over the prostate more easily. We both laughed at that, since she's been a nurse for 35 years, and has probably installed millions of catheters! Now, Jon is peeing a lovely yellow flow exactly the way it should flow ... continuously. At long last!

The blood draw didn't go as well, but not because Jon fought. His veins kept collapsing. Perhaps this is related to his chronic anemia. He was very well hydrated, so it wasn't that.

His vitals are stunning! So, we just give thanks unendingly for this blessing. Those 9 days of drooling, filling with fluid, and vomiting worried me as potential for aspiration. But, with daily SATS of 98, we know he didn't. Again, we just keep giving thanks.

((((((funnylegs4))))))

Celebrating my verbosity! I remember when I reached 1000 posts on the old forum, and I posted about it. I was so excited to finally be catching up with the long term posters. Sounds silly, I know, but it made me feel more like I belonged.

Love & Light,

Rose

[Donna Thomson]

Oh, I"m so so happy about the catheter and everything working 'down there' as it is supposed to! Are you still in touch with Mama Sue? What about that wonderful and lovely nurse from Kentucky who used to a regular, do you know who I mean? So many dear friends from the old days.... but we're still here, eh Rose? I'm so glad that Jon is feeling well these days. Thank God - prayers answered. xDonna

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Donna))))))

Unfortunately, Mama Sue moved several times, and I lost contact with her.

You are thinking of Dented Angel, Lisa, who is a nurse. Lisa is registered here and posted, when Jon was ill and hospitalized in June.

I could list off names of CN members and their children, as well as the adults, who joined our forum, that would fill pages and pages. I truly miss all of our CN family members and their wonderful children, and I would love to know how everyone is these days. We went through some major things together. Hospitalizations, crises, and the passing of many of our Precious Angels. We had such a tremendous support network, and we were there for each other through it all.

We are still here. And we still provide that same love and support for each other. We may be fewer in numbers, but that's the only difference.

Thank you! I'm thrilled that Nick is feeling better too. Honestly, after going through something like our guys have been through, the relief is so liberating. I was so worried about this cath change that I wanted to put it off until next week, which would go to 35+ days, and the protocol is to change at 30 days. But then Jon peed over his cath a little this morning, and I knew that was a sign that we should change it today. Everything just worked so well, and now I can breathe a sigh and move on with things that need doing, but I've been neglecting. Like setting up our new computer, so I can access that Patient Portal and get the blood results from today's draw!

Praying that all of our sweet children remain crisis-free.

Love & Light,

Rose

[Donna Thomson]

Oh yes, of course, Lisa/Dented Angel! I remember the conversations of the old days so well. There was one Mum from Calgary who lost her little girl and oddly enough the Mum's sister was my aerobics teacher in Ottawa. So, when the Mum came to visit her sister, she came to my house as well. Can't remember the names now, but the photo on her page was a gorgeous black and white photo of this blonde Mum looking into the eyes of her daughter who had short dark hair and was GORGEOUS! It was a long time ago now and the first time I had witnessed any of our little ones passing away.
I hope we all have a honeymoon period from crises in the next weeks/months. That is what I pray. xoDonna