R U Down with C.O.P.D. - No Not ME

After talking with Leslie "Ruby Begonia's Daughter" we thought I should have a go with a little light hearted talk about what we are going through with my Mom and her Dad; both being diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Chronic Bronchitis / Asthmatic Bronchitis).

Not being disrespectful just poking fun at them. Who would have suspected 30 years ago that we would be trailing along together in watching our parents (and we are only children) suffer through the most mundane of tasks (showering, checking the mail, washing a load of clothes). Leslie made the comment that we were going to have to make a play date with our parents - we'll just sit them in the corner, hook them up to their Oxygen tanks and have a little visit. HaHa! Of course we told our parents this and they had a hearty "breathless" laugh.

Side Note: I thought the text color in this posting was a nice COPD phlegmy color - oh your welcome, don't mention it.

Update: Mama was hospitalized for 5 days after I went over to her apartment and SHE COULD BARELY BREATHE. I called 911 and thankfully the Paramedics showed up only minutes later - a huge thanks to them. She was admitted with having COPD w/ Hypoxia (abnormally low Oxygen levels in the blood stream). She is living with us now because there is NO WAY that she could take proper care of herself anymore (with an Oxygen depletion you tend to not think rationally). Ever since Finding Nemo came out I have called her "Dory" and now I know why she has lost a huge part of her short term memory (of course we always laugh about this too). We are in process of getting her room comfortable for her ~ we were using our spare bedroom as a much coveted "junk room" so it's paint, carpet cleaning, moving furniture in...yada, yada, yada. I want to make it comfortable and PRETTY.

P.S. If you smoke QUIT! It's not a pretty site to watch someone you love struggle to get their breath, turn ashy grey and now need oxygen 24/7.

Blessings,Tammy

Roooby Begonia

This "Ruby Begonia" is in memory of my very dear friend Judy Jenkins .

Judy lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995 just a month shy of her daughter Leslie (one of my bestest and oldest friends) finding out she was pregnant (later to find out - with twins *good one Judy* wink, wink). I can't start to imagine what Leslie went through those nine months without Judy cheering her on but I know she was there in Spirit - you could feel her all around. Leslie is natured a lot like her Mama - suck it up and get on with life. I know what a hole her passing left in my heart...one that will not be filled again until we meet again - I know she'll have the greatest shoes to go with that new robe of hers - and oh, I can just see the crown - spit shined and perfect.



Judy was someone that people migrated towards - you know the type - happy go lucky - had a real zest for life and by golly she was going to live her life out till the very end and she did; with her family by her side. Oh the funniest personality like no other and always had a positive outlook in whatever came her way - even breast cancer. She could make light of ANYTHING! Of course, how could I forget her buzz word; "they swon". You never ever....EVER went over to the Jenkins house that Judy didn't have a Sun-Drop in her hand or at least on the kitchen counter. That's where my addiction started - Hello, my name is Tammy and I'm a Sun-Drop-aholic. It's nectar of the Gods as far as I'm concerned.

Hmmm...I would describe Judy as having a definite passion for fashion that's for sure. Even before I knew what that meant - Judy always had the cutest outfit on - classical fashion - not trendy - she was total C.L.A.S.S.

As kids growing up, Leslie and I loved to watch her Mama and Daddy shag - they would just glide across the living room floor knowing exactly which way the other would step. We would beg them to dance...come on, come on, and then we would put on a song....gosh, what was the name of that song...it had green in the title...it may have been Green Eyes by Ravens...here is a YouTube link for a quick listen to the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlMhnzuuJLM&feature=related .

Leave me comments people - you know who you are! If you don't know how - figure it out! :-)

Blessings,
Tammy