clevermanka: default (dirt)
clevermanka ([personal profile] clevermanka) wrote2004-08-09 08:48 am

When you're not a parent, you don't expect that midnight call...

...from the hospital to be for you.

I couldn't sleep last night (yes, still having sleeping issues in addition to eating issues), so I was up working on costume stuff. The phone rang about a quarter to eleven and "Lawrence Mem Hosp" showed on caller ID. WTF? I let the answering machine pick it up, figuring it was probably a wrong number.

But it wasn't a wrong number. It was my bellydance teacher, very doped on morphine and sounding not at all herself, telling me just got out of surgery and things weren't all that great. I sat for a couple seconds in shock and called her back. She had been pruning a tree in her yard and the branch she was standing on broke. Being the sort of person she is, she jumped instead of falling, and landed hard on one foot (not sure which). I guess she pretty much crushed it and now she's in the hospital with a foot and ankle full of metal and pins. She said the doctors weren't sure if she would regain full use of her foot and, worse case scenario, might even lose the foot.

She's not a terribly easy person to get along with, and therefore does not have a good friend support system to help her. [livejournal.com profile] chandara, I've already told [livejournal.com profile] roya_spirit, but if you could also pass the word to any dancers you might still be in contact with, that would be great. I know cards and well-wishes would be very much appreciated.

I'll be leaving today at noon to go check in on her at the hospital. She asks for prayers and says she's not picky about the deity at this point. Any locals who know Jo and want to send her a card or something please email me and I'll send you info.

[identity profile] bellanorth.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, what bad news! If you end up arranging some sort of meal delivery for her once she goes home, let me know- I'll contribute a couple of meals.

[identity profile] nottygypsy.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
Is this Joanna that teaches bellydance in Lawrence? I took a class from her years ago, I would cook for the cause too!(I will even if it is not the same Jo, but I imagine it must be) I will send good thoughts her way! Sorry I missed the Wench Day, I was still stuck at the Wyco Fair. Hope I get to meet you all soon!

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
Yep. That's the Jo. I will make a post if she wants food help and we can coordinate things then.

[identity profile] radcliffe.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my! Please send her best wishes and get well soons!!!!

[identity profile] blndbmbshltr.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
Health is the great equalizer. Tragedy or illness can strike at any time which is something I am well aware of. My thoughts are with your bellydance teacher and I wish her a speedy recovery.

[identity profile] arian1.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
Ack! Best wishes for her from the wilderness.

[identity profile] kijjohnson.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
Oh no, poor Jo! What a horrible thing to happen to anyone, but a dancer especially. yeah, let me know about meal delivery -- I promise it won't be PBJ sandwiches.

[identity profile] tattooedartgirl.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 12:30 pm (UTC)(link)
oh dear!!!
Ask her if she wants Reiki=I can't send it without permission....

Funny/not funny coincedence-we got a VERY similar call yesterday night too. Rob's mom is in the hospital with kidney stone/UTI and joint pain...She's in ICU!

ACK!

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Good thoughts sent to Rob's mom. Kidney stone and UTI? That sounds awful.

What's Reiki involve? I thought that was a form of massage...

[identity profile] tattooedartgirl.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the thoughts on Robs mom! Reiki is energy work. It is usually "laying on of hands" but can be sent long distance too...

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2004-08-10 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Ah. Cool! I'll ask her.

[identity profile] canaryblack.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, I know I live in Kentucky and don't know this person at all...but OMG! That really sucks. She's definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

[identity profile] amithst.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that really is awful. What a lousy thing to happen. Please tell her I am thinking of her if you think of it. Would you email me the address information?

[identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com 2004-08-09 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh no! I SOOOO hope they can fix her up well enough to dance again soon.

Chris

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2004-08-10 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
I sincerely doubt that. I don't think she'll be dancing much before winter.
ext_26535: Taken by Roya (Default)

[identity profile] starstraf.livejournal.com 2004-08-15 12:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Add us to the food delivery list if you get one going. I took lessons from here about 4 years ago