Brokeback Mama

My mom Ginny around Christmas 2006
Mom's one tough lady. She's got fractured vertabrae in her back, but refuses to let them keep her from running around doing things she deems important. Yesterday she spent hours Christmas shopping. Today, she wanted to get a ham for the holidays, among other things. So she was out in her Explorer (good thing she has a big, sturdy vehicle) when some lady in a van ran out in front of her. It wasn't a huge accident - could have been a lot worse, anyway. But it wasn't just a fender bender either - and with a "broke" back, even what would otherwise be a relatively minor trauma can be extremely dangerous (she's under doctor's orders not to even lift a gallon of milk). First she tried to claim she's "okay" (she never wants anyone to worry about her), but now she admits her back pain has intensified (it's hard for her to even breathe) - and she's back in the hospital getting checked out (where she was twice last week, before the accident). Of course she still refuses to take pain medication - especially in the wake of her recent hospitalization for an allergic reaction to antibiotics. But then again, like I said, she's a tough lady.
Please keep her in your thoughts this evening - and if you believe in any "cosmic" aids like prayer or vibrations, please keep her in those as well. When it comes to Mom, we gotta cover all the angles.
Since she has a great sense of humor, I think Mom'll appreciate my blog title. At least I hope so.
Love you, Mama!
[UPDATE: The hospital released Mom before midnight!]





It's not unusual to not realize how hurt you are when you're first in a car accident... the initial rush of adrenaline dulls any pain at first.. It's not till a few hours or a few days later sometimes do you feel pain.. that's quite common.
Geeezz.. I hope she's ok.. She'll be in my thoughts and meditations... along with the rest of the family .. including you.
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Thanks, Chris! She just got back from a CT scan - still in the emergency room - in pain, but in good spirits - I can't help thinking: thank goodness it wasn't worse. But we don't know much yet. I'm cautiously optimistic.
Part of why I chose the blog title: when I first got out of prison, Mom had a bootleg copy of Brokeback Mountain (before it was officially available on DVD, if I remember correctly) - and the guys back I wrote to back in the joint got a kick of of the fact that it was my mom who turned me on to Brokeback Mountain. I suppose that in addition to being tough, she's always been pretty hip as well.
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I did catch the pun.. and figured out that was the allusion...
Make sure you don't neglect your self in all this.. get something to eat...
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John, I'm so sorry. I hope she'll be okay soon, she, and your family will surely be in my thoughts.
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Your Mom, Ginny, is a very special woman and I have known her for many years. She loves you so much and really doesn't want you to worry about her, but it is just the kind of guy you are to care so much you have to tell all of us about her. If there is anything I can do right now to help all of you in the Christmas season, please let me know. I would run errands for her if she needs me. Hugs to all of you.
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Thank you, SG and Elena! You're both very kind.
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I'll be keeping her in my prayers. Hope she'll be ok to celebrate the holidays.
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Thank you, Theresa! Much appreciated....
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Did you step on a crack and break your Mama's back?
Man, I know she is strong woman to have
the likes of you as a son!!! You know I
am just joking about this. It's nice to
know that you care about your Mama...
All good vibes will be there for your
Mama and you, and your family!
I bet she will be home in no time and
the holiday ham will be on the table...
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Thank you, HU!
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Absolutely loved the title of your blog, but not so wild about the picture, haha.
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I'm glad all is relatively well and you're home safe and sound.
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John, My prayers go out to your "broke back mama". I thought that was a great title. My mom was the same way and this I can attest to when she was in the hospital because of her heatr. It is a terribly tough time for me as I miss my my emensly! Holidays are tough without her laughter and smiles. I hope your mom gets to feeling better and tell her, "Follow what the docs tell her to do." Happy Holidays to you all! Kimberly
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Sorry for the typos! New computer and fingers just go spastic on the keys!
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Thanks, Kimberly! I make typos all the time - I only wish I had a new computer to blame!
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I know it was just me...lol. I just had to have my scape goat and the new computer was it...lol!
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'i'm okay, don't worry about me..' my mom the same way, she had a brain tumor a couple years back and didn't want me to come up to the hospital, that's what the nurses are for she'd say.
My thoughts are with your mom, John, glad to see she was released from the hospital. Here's to her health and comfort, cheers! and Merry Christmas...
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Thank you much, Shannon!
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OMG!!!! John, I hope mom pulls through this fast. your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers...
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Thank you, Dawn! So far so good....
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you have our well wishes wished.
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Much appreciated, Smith!
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Hope your mama gets to feeling better soon! She sounds as stubborn as mine and, if stubborness counts for anything, it gets them through alot. It's gotten my mom through two hip replacements and a bone infection.
I've come to the conclusion that thinking lots of kind and sincere and deep thoughts about others are like prayers.
So I will be like Winnie the Pooh, sitting here tapping the side of my head and thinking about you and your mama (instead of hunnie) and mumbling... think, think, think... (get better soon, Mama, and have a nice holiday
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Thank you very much, Pinky!
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Thanks to all you kind people for your comments. I am doing well. Mom
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