37. Not 36. Not 38.
37.
It's such an ugly number. With this attitude, it could end up being and ugly year. Not sure why I've got a bee in my bonnet about turning 37. 36 seemed so casual and full of life. 37 is like stubbing your toe on a chair in the dark..the chair you said to yourself hours ago you should move or you would end up stubbing your toe. In a nut shell, there is a tendency for a lot of bad language and possibly tears. I've been dreading this for some time. I can remember on my 36th birthday thinking...37 is gonna suck. Look. It sucks. Ain't it just a mystery how that happens?
I think for me the reason 37 is so painful is that it is the apex of the downhill slide. Don't ask me why 37 and not 35..I'm not Stephen Hawking, I don't know these things. He wouldn't know either because I just made it up. Apex. Yep.. downhill sliding...smack dab into a big ol pile of middle age. In a few more years, I will definitely be unable to have children. In a few more years, I will be seen as a "Cougar" (although some young folks think I am now, but I say NAY! 40 is the entry age for Cougar Town- again..my life, my rules.)
I don't look 40. See...I just skipped 37, 38, and 39. After 36------ 40. I may pass for a young 30's. I'm grateful really. It could be much worse...like no such thing as permanent hair color or sunscreen.
I'm trying to embrace it. I'm trying to not cry out for my youth to come back and sit with me for awhile. Hold my hand Young Brooke. Remind me that I really am an amazing specimen of a woman. That my memories of Paris, Venice, Berlin, Sydney, LA, New York and so on are the envy of young women everywhere. I have lived such an incredible life. I have been a witness to such a beautiful world.
I turn and realize it is not the reassurance of Young Brooke that I need. I need the wisdom of elderly Brooke. The lady with the twinkling eyes that laughs at my dramatic expense. Elderly Brooke whispers to me... if only you knew. She holds my thoughts softly. Letting them roll slowly over the worried mind of the present. Fears play tricks and try to build walls around my heart, but Elderly Brooke brushes them away..like a cobweb that hangs too low. Love. Happiness. Fulfillment. Sometimes feeling so out of reach, impossible really to even get a clear picture of them. She whispers that I am all of those things and more.
I smirk and roll my eyes. She laughs and shakes her head. "Trust Me. I know."
Well played Elderly Brooke.
Well played.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
August 11, 2013
So there I was looking at these tiny little fruit flies buzzing around my beautiful bowl of fresh produce that I bought at a little farmer's market down the road. My exact thought was "Don't they have something they can put on the fruit, like bug spray, to kill these things" ..yes, that thought made me shake my head too. I've never denied that I am a complete jackass. I drive a Hybrid, not because it saves the Earth or lowers my "carbon footprint" or some such stuff, but because it came in a nice color and I hoped to save money on gas. My Mom is probably the MOST successful woman in the entire Martin County area starting up and running the Recycling Center for Martin County...and I don't recycle. *gasp* The NERVE!
My deodorant AND toothpaste AND makeup AND shampoo AND Dr. Pepper all have ingredients in it that I can't pronounce and that are probably some chemical equivalent to cyanide. And I'm pretty sure the "chicken" bites in my KFC Bowl were made from some ground up left over animal parts that I don't want to thing about at this moment.
I work in a hospital system that ACTUALLY believes they are making their visitors make better health choices because they only sell DIET drinks. What kind of utterly ridiculous nonsense is that? Trying to pass off Diet Pepsi as a HEALTHY choice. Really? Really?
REALLY?
Shock and Awe ladies and gentlemen. Shock and Awe. We all understand that I'm not the world's best organic eating, carbon footprint deleting human being, and even I know that Diet Soda is poison.
So what is one person to do?
I don't know either. But I'm thinking about it.
I started the 21 Day meditation challenge, and it's not solving any of the before mentioned issues..but what it is creating is incredibly tense muscles in my back. You try sitting there Indian style (wait..did they change that to some politically correct thing that I don't know about?)..oh yeah..crossed legs.. with your back straight, doing all that deep breathing and relaxing and see how YOUR back feels. I never thought of myself as a sloucher or someone with bad posture, but apparently, I don't sit or stand straight, or even close, because if I did I wouldn't have been in excruciating, toe curling, teeth clenching pain during my massage today. Who ever came up with the idea of needling and poking some one's tight knots in hopes of "relaxing" them? Masochistic bastards. I've decided after today I only want soft, chunky massage therapists, you know, the type that makes you want to poke their bellies- skinny twiggy types are all bones and that my friends is the fourth level of hell. Add that to your list of criteria when looking for someone to do your massage. "Would you like a male or female?" I want someone chubby and that's all that matters..little sausage fingers surely can't hurt as bad as little Miss Elbows Magoo. But not so big that I can hear them breath. I don't want to get the feeling that pushing around my chubby chub chub is going to be counted as their work out for the day.
Dear Ganesha-
Thank you thank you thank you for helping me overcome my Diet Soda habit. The toxicity to my nervous system may never be fully corrected but I feel blessed to know that I've made big strides in eliminating sources of toxic waste and making better choices on what to put in and on my body.
Your faithful servant-
Brooke-I'll-end-up-having-a-teenage-mutant-turtle-for-a-child-Albertson
My deodorant AND toothpaste AND makeup AND shampoo AND Dr. Pepper all have ingredients in it that I can't pronounce and that are probably some chemical equivalent to cyanide. And I'm pretty sure the "chicken" bites in my KFC Bowl were made from some ground up left over animal parts that I don't want to thing about at this moment.
I work in a hospital system that ACTUALLY believes they are making their visitors make better health choices because they only sell DIET drinks. What kind of utterly ridiculous nonsense is that? Trying to pass off Diet Pepsi as a HEALTHY choice. Really? Really?
REALLY?
Shock and Awe ladies and gentlemen. Shock and Awe. We all understand that I'm not the world's best organic eating, carbon footprint deleting human being, and even I know that Diet Soda is poison.
So what is one person to do?
I don't know either. But I'm thinking about it.
I started the 21 Day meditation challenge, and it's not solving any of the before mentioned issues..but what it is creating is incredibly tense muscles in my back. You try sitting there Indian style (wait..did they change that to some politically correct thing that I don't know about?)..oh yeah..crossed legs.. with your back straight, doing all that deep breathing and relaxing and see how YOUR back feels. I never thought of myself as a sloucher or someone with bad posture, but apparently, I don't sit or stand straight, or even close, because if I did I wouldn't have been in excruciating, toe curling, teeth clenching pain during my massage today. Who ever came up with the idea of needling and poking some one's tight knots in hopes of "relaxing" them? Masochistic bastards. I've decided after today I only want soft, chunky massage therapists, you know, the type that makes you want to poke their bellies- skinny twiggy types are all bones and that my friends is the fourth level of hell. Add that to your list of criteria when looking for someone to do your massage. "Would you like a male or female?" I want someone chubby and that's all that matters..little sausage fingers surely can't hurt as bad as little Miss Elbows Magoo. But not so big that I can hear them breath. I don't want to get the feeling that pushing around my chubby chub chub is going to be counted as their work out for the day.
Dear Ganesha-
Thank you thank you thank you for helping me overcome my Diet Soda habit. The toxicity to my nervous system may never be fully corrected but I feel blessed to know that I've made big strides in eliminating sources of toxic waste and making better choices on what to put in and on my body.
Your faithful servant-
Brooke-I'll-end-up-having-a-teenage-mutant-turtle-for-a-child-Albertson
Sunday, July 21, 2013
July 21, 2013 #1993
So there I was... remembering when with faces from Loogootee High School. A 20 year reunion. Ok..not MY class reunion, because I totally crashed my older sister's high school reunion (tacky? obnoxious? rude? maybe..but would you expect any less?). I find it funny that I was excited to see former team mates, friends and classmates but that there are a lot of folks that never go to theirs. Maybe it has something to do with me living away from the little town that we all took laps in. The back roads, now common daily driving, makes reunions feel unnecessary to those who's homes have remained in the same zip code as our Junior-Senior Proms and Graduations. There are handfuls of us who have left and returned, learning something out in the wild blue yonder--- home is where you make it yes, but making it near the memories of our youths is comforting, secure in ways that really don't make sense, and in the end, familiar territory when the rest of our lives start feeling foreign and unsatisfying.
Funny how memories are remembered differently by the people who experienced them. My sisters will often bring up a story from years gone by and I swear they must have been abducted by aliens or something because it doesn't even sound like something from my memory banks. Those stories are treasures because it's like seeing a snap shot of a forgotten past. My favorites will always be the great stories we all share and could never forget..smoking from the pack of cigarettes we stole from my parents (read=inhaling once and coughing up a lung for the next 30 minutes). Going "muddin" at Lyons farm on endless summer days. Laughing at how now I would have to go buy "cheap" shoes that I wouldn't mind getting ruined #tragedy. The pool parties. The bad hair. The bad clothing choices...I wasn't the only one with my name on the butt of my sweat pants, but I was the only one who walked around with "Broke" when my ass crack decided to munch on my shorts. Unfortunate as wedgies are...I wore those black sweat pants, turned cut off sweat shorts until the holes made them indecent in public. The same goes for my "Don't be a Dick" t-shirt. Wore that to basketball practice all the time hoping to send a subliminal message to Mr. Eyler so that maybe we wouldn't have to run lines at the end of practice.
People I hadn't seen in 20 years said I hadn't changed a bit. That's a compliment right? So many smiles in the crowd hadn't changed either. The tiny point guard and setter on our Volleyball team, Leslie, is exactly as I remember her. Always smiling and talking about The New Kids on the Block. Jami having the very same laugh that is contagious to everyone around. Brett, whose looks finally caught up with his height, was such a wonderful treat to walk down memory lane with. We're adults and it just seems so crazy to me sometimes. Shelley and Elise still crack me up with their senses of humor and I hope that their husbands and the boys they are raising realize just how awesome and laid back their wives/moms are. Wrinkles and gray hair be damned we are all the living testament of being raised in a small town. We might have just turned out ok :-) Some have lost parents already. But only two have been lost themselves. Those are the inevitable conversations that make reunions a bit hard to swallow. As years go by, those numbers will continue to climb and the never ending march of time will remind us to be thankful for the years behind us and hopeful for the years ahead.
Thank You, Class of 1993- for allowing me to share in your reunion. Everyone with the same beautiful face as the one in their senior picture. Beautiful to me, now more than ever, because it is in the undying spirit of our shared experience of high school that laid the foundation for everything that has since come from that far away time. No...I wouldn't go back. Not because any of you were awful, but because of the me that I was at that time has come so far. We all share the common bond of little Loogootee, Indiana. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Memories are made of these-
Brooke-someone-should've-told-me-my-ass-was-Broke-Albertson
Funny how memories are remembered differently by the people who experienced them. My sisters will often bring up a story from years gone by and I swear they must have been abducted by aliens or something because it doesn't even sound like something from my memory banks. Those stories are treasures because it's like seeing a snap shot of a forgotten past. My favorites will always be the great stories we all share and could never forget..smoking from the pack of cigarettes we stole from my parents (read=inhaling once and coughing up a lung for the next 30 minutes). Going "muddin" at Lyons farm on endless summer days. Laughing at how now I would have to go buy "cheap" shoes that I wouldn't mind getting ruined #tragedy. The pool parties. The bad hair. The bad clothing choices...I wasn't the only one with my name on the butt of my sweat pants, but I was the only one who walked around with "Broke" when my ass crack decided to munch on my shorts. Unfortunate as wedgies are...I wore those black sweat pants, turned cut off sweat shorts until the holes made them indecent in public. The same goes for my "Don't be a Dick" t-shirt. Wore that to basketball practice all the time hoping to send a subliminal message to Mr. Eyler so that maybe we wouldn't have to run lines at the end of practice.
People I hadn't seen in 20 years said I hadn't changed a bit. That's a compliment right? So many smiles in the crowd hadn't changed either. The tiny point guard and setter on our Volleyball team, Leslie, is exactly as I remember her. Always smiling and talking about The New Kids on the Block. Jami having the very same laugh that is contagious to everyone around. Brett, whose looks finally caught up with his height, was such a wonderful treat to walk down memory lane with. We're adults and it just seems so crazy to me sometimes. Shelley and Elise still crack me up with their senses of humor and I hope that their husbands and the boys they are raising realize just how awesome and laid back their wives/moms are. Wrinkles and gray hair be damned we are all the living testament of being raised in a small town. We might have just turned out ok :-) Some have lost parents already. But only two have been lost themselves. Those are the inevitable conversations that make reunions a bit hard to swallow. As years go by, those numbers will continue to climb and the never ending march of time will remind us to be thankful for the years behind us and hopeful for the years ahead.
Thank You, Class of 1993- for allowing me to share in your reunion. Everyone with the same beautiful face as the one in their senior picture. Beautiful to me, now more than ever, because it is in the undying spirit of our shared experience of high school that laid the foundation for everything that has since come from that far away time. No...I wouldn't go back. Not because any of you were awful, but because of the me that I was at that time has come so far. We all share the common bond of little Loogootee, Indiana. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Memories are made of these-
Brooke-someone-should've-told-me-my-ass-was-Broke-Albertson
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21, 2013
So apparently it's the first day of summer. Living somewhere that actually has seasons is refreshing, even if this particular season seems to make areas of my body sweat in volumes I would rather not talk about. I mean...one of the many questions I would ask the almighty creator would be "what in the hell is accomplished with sweat that can run down the crack of my back door business?" Let's talk necessity here. Have you ever thought to yourself, Self- 'Thank God I'm sweating like a whore in church, it is really cooling off my ass crack.' Or have you needed to jump in the pool while laying out because doing so will cool off your poop shoot? NO. I'm thinking that there are places that sweat glands should and should not be. Can I get an Amen? I will not bring up my dismay of sweaty buddha belly rolls. Sometimes, it's better to just stay inside. (a pondering just crossed my brain- maybe the sweaty crack is why all the gangsta wanna be's walk around with their underwear showing- letting that crack breath a little! Like a fine red wine).
Other questions I might consider posing to the One who knows everything-
1. See above paragraph
2. Who died and made you boss?
3. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
4. Where's the beef?
5. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
6. Does everyone think I'm hysterical or just the people that know me?
7. Why does my nose itch immediately after I put on sterile gloves?
8. If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it still make sound?
9. If a man talks in the woods and there is no one around to hear him, is he still wrong?
10. What is the purpose of the appendix (in our bodies, not the one in books, duh!)
11. Does that dress make my butt look fat?
12. Do all dogs go to Heaven?
13. Are we all really in the Matrix?
14. What is the purpose of life?
15. Could I dig my way to China?
16. Is there anybody OUT THERE?
17. Will you tell Beetle when she gets there that she really was THE BEST DOG EVER!
Dear One who knows everything-
I have enclosed these questions as a brief sampling of the many, many questions that plague us humans. We would like answers, either via email, text, or YouTube video.
Sincerely, Your faithful servant- Brooke-no-I-didn't-pee-my-pants-that's- just-my-ass-sweat-Albertson
Other questions I might consider posing to the One who knows everything-
1. See above paragraph
2. Who died and made you boss?
3. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
4. Where's the beef?
5. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
6. Does everyone think I'm hysterical or just the people that know me?
7. Why does my nose itch immediately after I put on sterile gloves?
8. If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it still make sound?
9. If a man talks in the woods and there is no one around to hear him, is he still wrong?
10. What is the purpose of the appendix (in our bodies, not the one in books, duh!)
11. Does that dress make my butt look fat?
12. Do all dogs go to Heaven?
13. Are we all really in the Matrix?
14. What is the purpose of life?
15. Could I dig my way to China?
16. Is there anybody OUT THERE?
17. Will you tell Beetle when she gets there that she really was THE BEST DOG EVER!
Dear One who knows everything-
I have enclosed these questions as a brief sampling of the many, many questions that plague us humans. We would like answers, either via email, text, or YouTube video.
Sincerely, Your faithful servant- Brooke-no-I-didn't-pee-my-pants-that's- just-my-ass-sweat-Albertson
Monday, June 17, 2013
June 17, 2013
So here I am- wondering what in the Sam Hill I've been doing that has kept me from blogging. I mean..let's be honest, I didn't expect my fast paced, glamorous lifestyle in Indianapolis to keep me so busy. What with all the traffic jams behind tractors and parades of Geese as well as standing in line at Walmart, I can't seem to find a free minute! Jealous aren't ya? Vegas has nothing on this place!
My ass size has resembled a slinky: wide then thin (-er). Not sure what that is all about. Oh..well there was the HCG diet that I did and lost 25 lbs. That was pretty cool, but even now while I'm staying at the same weight it seems to undulate for reasons I don't quite grasp. Is gravity different here in Indiana? Or is my buddha belly moving from front to back without my permission?
Another phenomena that I am none to pleased about is that A LOT of women in Indiana have cute short hair do's. I am no longer a hairstyle minority. It's like that craze for Jennifer Aniston's hairstyle back in the 90's. This must be a midwest thing. So of course I tried making my style somewhat more trendy, you know blow drying it more forward and such. Made me look like an elderly Justin Beiber. I thought about going all Miley Cyrus with the long mohawk thing, but realized, just in time, that she's been on the verge of going off the deep end and really I've done crazy and I'm all set with that. There was a brief thought on getting extensions and then I realized that I've got no funds for that unless I start manufacturing some sort of illegal substance with the ingredients of ephedrine, battery acid, and ground glass. We all know I can't cook and so I chalked up that potential money maker to lack of ability. So I guess I will grow out my fro which will put my hairstyle in the "MOM Zone" of hairstyles for the next gazillion years. UGH...no offense to any of you Moms. This isn't too bad if this is the worst tragedy I've had to endure so far.
My doctor actually asked me about my thoughts on having children. He gave me that "your clock is ticking and really if you're gonna do it you might want to think about cutting down on your shenanigans and look for a potential sperm donor/father/ child support provider" talk. I basically gave him my "if I wanted any oral diarrhea about my advanced maternal age, I would just ask my father for advice on this subject" look, but only replied with a very basic..yeah, I know.
Children. As in those beings that would inherit some of my genetics, and the genetics of someone who felt it was a good idea to procreate with me (God knows that automatically makes them not so bright). We're talking a child that could very well be snarky, smart, chubby, who excels at parallel parking. I think it's hard pressed to believe we need more of those types in the world. Although....passing on my charming sarcasm and unstoppable wit would be worth further consideration. To be honest, I would really only become impregnated if I accidentally fell on some sperm that just happened to be in my way and we all know I'm no Mary!
Dear Fertility Goddess-
Keep your crack whore ideas of me being a mother to yourself and stop trying to kick start my biological clock because it's really not a great idea. I mean really, my crowning achievement in the last 6 months is that I was able to mimic the hairstyle of a Teeny bopping man-child. So that's all I've got to say about that.
Your faithful servant- Brooke-cobwebs-in-my-uterus-Albertson
My ass size has resembled a slinky: wide then thin (-er). Not sure what that is all about. Oh..well there was the HCG diet that I did and lost 25 lbs. That was pretty cool, but even now while I'm staying at the same weight it seems to undulate for reasons I don't quite grasp. Is gravity different here in Indiana? Or is my buddha belly moving from front to back without my permission?
Another phenomena that I am none to pleased about is that A LOT of women in Indiana have cute short hair do's. I am no longer a hairstyle minority. It's like that craze for Jennifer Aniston's hairstyle back in the 90's. This must be a midwest thing. So of course I tried making my style somewhat more trendy, you know blow drying it more forward and such. Made me look like an elderly Justin Beiber. I thought about going all Miley Cyrus with the long mohawk thing, but realized, just in time, that she's been on the verge of going off the deep end and really I've done crazy and I'm all set with that. There was a brief thought on getting extensions and then I realized that I've got no funds for that unless I start manufacturing some sort of illegal substance with the ingredients of ephedrine, battery acid, and ground glass. We all know I can't cook and so I chalked up that potential money maker to lack of ability. So I guess I will grow out my fro which will put my hairstyle in the "MOM Zone" of hairstyles for the next gazillion years. UGH...no offense to any of you Moms. This isn't too bad if this is the worst tragedy I've had to endure so far.
My doctor actually asked me about my thoughts on having children. He gave me that "your clock is ticking and really if you're gonna do it you might want to think about cutting down on your shenanigans and look for a potential sperm donor/father/ child support provider" talk. I basically gave him my "if I wanted any oral diarrhea about my advanced maternal age, I would just ask my father for advice on this subject" look, but only replied with a very basic..yeah, I know.
Children. As in those beings that would inherit some of my genetics, and the genetics of someone who felt it was a good idea to procreate with me (God knows that automatically makes them not so bright). We're talking a child that could very well be snarky, smart, chubby, who excels at parallel parking. I think it's hard pressed to believe we need more of those types in the world. Although....passing on my charming sarcasm and unstoppable wit would be worth further consideration. To be honest, I would really only become impregnated if I accidentally fell on some sperm that just happened to be in my way and we all know I'm no Mary!
Dear Fertility Goddess-
Keep your crack whore ideas of me being a mother to yourself and stop trying to kick start my biological clock because it's really not a great idea. I mean really, my crowning achievement in the last 6 months is that I was able to mimic the hairstyle of a Teeny bopping man-child. So that's all I've got to say about that.
Your faithful servant- Brooke-cobwebs-in-my-uterus-Albertson
Monday, April 8, 2013
April 8, 2013
Online dating. I've been doing it for years...different sites, some free, some expensive. It's really just people wanting to connect on some level. In the end, does that level really matter? Do we just want the validation that a picture and some meaningless banter about ourselves on a profile make us worthy of the attention from the opposite sex? To have some sort of impact on someone else, hormone related or not, usually feels pretty damn good. Most people don't actually meet. There's a few conversations..usually getting to know each other questions, compliments being thrown around to show interest, but inevitably one or both people find someone more interesting to talk to. It ebbs and flows and people shut down the computer and walk back to their real lives. It's almost like it feeds some need..some intimate need for acceptance.
There are rare occasions when a spark actually lights a fire worth sitting around for awhile. At least you think so anyway. How do we really know anyone? There are so many people who don't know themselves. It's on a wing and a prayer that meeting a complete stranger turns out to be just who you imagined them to be by the implications they made in that profile, during those conversations. What comes first trust? or faith? Is there a difference? In the end, do we finally get it? We project onto relationships what we want from them. Usually some form of adoration and some feeling of security. It doesn't actually mean it exists..it just means we use our ego to put into place a silent sense of being that can neither be proven or denied---until it is.
Heartache comes from the expectation that someone values you as much as you value yourself, to believe they too have your best interest at heart. But be honest with yourself...who's interest is most important? Yours right? So why would you ever imagine that someone would chose you over themselves?
How do you prepare for eventual disappointment?
It's very simple. Never expect anything..good or bad...from anyone. Go out there and be your absolute self. No bells or whistles. The person that is you on good days and bad. Not the gift wrapped version. Be true to yourself. Do yourself a favor and be honest and true to the mind that you lay down with every night. Doing so means that you might realize who it is and what it is that really compliments that mind and the lifestyle it chooses to lead.
Brooke
`.
There are rare occasions when a spark actually lights a fire worth sitting around for awhile. At least you think so anyway. How do we really know anyone? There are so many people who don't know themselves. It's on a wing and a prayer that meeting a complete stranger turns out to be just who you imagined them to be by the implications they made in that profile, during those conversations. What comes first trust? or faith? Is there a difference? In the end, do we finally get it? We project onto relationships what we want from them. Usually some form of adoration and some feeling of security. It doesn't actually mean it exists..it just means we use our ego to put into place a silent sense of being that can neither be proven or denied---until it is.
Heartache comes from the expectation that someone values you as much as you value yourself, to believe they too have your best interest at heart. But be honest with yourself...who's interest is most important? Yours right? So why would you ever imagine that someone would chose you over themselves?
How do you prepare for eventual disappointment?
It's very simple. Never expect anything..good or bad...from anyone. Go out there and be your absolute self. No bells or whistles. The person that is you on good days and bad. Not the gift wrapped version. Be true to yourself. Do yourself a favor and be honest and true to the mind that you lay down with every night. Doing so means that you might realize who it is and what it is that really compliments that mind and the lifestyle it chooses to lead.
Brooke
`.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Donations for Leora Mason and Family
A classmate of mine from Loogootee High School graduating class of 1994 has been critically injured in an automobile accident. Leora Mason (Eccles) has been in the Intensive Care Unit in Indianapolis, Indiana since early March. She and her children walked away from the car accident that flipped the automobile, only for her to be at death's door in one week with an ischemic stomach and bowel. Multiple operations have rendered her without a stomach, a colon, and the majority of her small intestines. She has been living on life support with a Tracheostomy,ventilator and Intravenous nutrition. It is unsure at this time if she will survive. This is a catastrophic tragedy and her life and that of her family's lives will never be the same. Overwhelming medical bills and her husband unable to work will undoubtedly leave the Mason family in dire straights. The Loogootee High School class of 1994 would like to reach out to our friends and loved ones and ask for help in any monetary form to help us, help one of our own.
We all suffer. We are all at some point in time dependent on the generosity and kindness of strangers. Please- share this on your Facebook page. Let us do what we can.
Sincere Gratitude-
Brooke Albertson- Loogootee High School Class of 1994.
For the John "JD" Mason family, of Linton, the last few weeks have been a bit overwhelming, almost indescribable.
JD has spent hours and hours beside his wife's bedside at hospitals in Bloomington and Indianapolis hoping and praying that she will recover.
Today, JD's wife, Leora, is facing an uncertain future as she lays in the surgical intensive care unit at IU Health Hospital following what was a very unusual course of events after a traffic accident last month.
The wreck happened on the evening of Feb. 21, on an icy State Road 54. She was traveling west about 7:30 p.m. and lost control after she 'tapped' her brakes and ended up at the bottom of what is known as "Blue Barn Hill". Her 1997 Expedition hit a ditch on the northside of the road and landed upside down, according to her husband.
JD said his wife's seatbelt maybe have caused some of her current injuries.
"No one knows how long she was in the seatbelt before she was able to maneuver to release it," JD told the Greene County Daily World.
Leora was reported at the accident scene to be not hurt after being checked out by EMTs.
Her three children who were in the car ---- six-year-old Jayden Mason, five-year-old Madison Mason and 16-year-old Taylor Mason ---- were also not hurt.
"She thought she was okay," JD recalled on Thursday morning. "She went to Zumba the week following the wreck and was doing fine ... I guess she was hurt more than she thought she was."
Leora, who is the Human Resources Manager at Glenburn Home in Linton, reported to work the following day and she was admittedly sore, but didn't know something more serious may have been wrong.
Serious medical problems surfaced for the 37-year-old woman the evening of March 5.
About 7:30 p.m., she called her husband, who is a truck driver for K&S Trucking Company of Bloomington, and said she was very nauseous.
The call was followed by a round of the 'dry heaves' that lasted for more than three hours.
About midnight, 911 was called and Leora was transported to Greene County General Hospital in Linton.
Two hours later she was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital and the family learned that Leora's stomach was essentially clinically dead after a CAT scan exam was completed.
Apparently, blood flow was cut off during the wreck, causing serious damage to the stomach and intestines, JD said.
Leona, who formerly attended school at Bloomfield and graduated in 1994 from Loogootee High School, was placed in a medically-induced coma.
She underwent a pair of surgeries that night and another one the following day.
The Linton woman was then transferred to IU Health Hospital where two more surgeries were done that day ---- March 6.
All of Leora's stomach and large intestine have now been removed. In addition, 85 percent of her small intestine has been taken out.
She remained in a medically-induced come until March 19.
The mother of five is still very ill, according to her husband.
"It's a day by day thing," JD said.
Currently, she's on a ventilator, has a tracheotomy tube to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs, and is getting her nutrition from a feeding tube.
The realities of Leora's condition are very clear to her husband.
"She's never going to be able to eat regular food again," JD slowly said.
He says his family is worried and concerned about their mother's health and future.
The younger children don't really understand everything that's happening, he said, but his older daughter realizes that things have changed for the Mason family.
However, he's confident his wife of eight years can make a recovery.
"I feel 100 percent that she's going to make it. It's just going to be a long road to recovery," JD stated.
Finances are a concern for JD.
His health insurance is being strained and he says it will 'run out' on March 31.
He's applied for Medicaid, but hasn't been approved yet.
"We're fighting for Medicaid. I'm off work due to he being in the hospital and trying to take care of things," JD stated.
The children are being cared for by his mother, Jayne Gregory and step-father, Ken Gregory, of Linton.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to help with all of these bills," he noted.
The Linton man says there has been a big outpouring of help, encouragement and prayers from many friends ---- especially his buddies at the Plummer River Rally.
Lucas Gechtman has organized a benefit raffle of a special Stihl chainsaw that was autographed by members of the band, Jackyl, that performed at the 2011 Plummer River Rally.
Ticket are $5 each or 5 for $20.
The raffle will end sometime in May, JD said.
Other fundraisers are in the planning stages.
A car wash is also being planned for the second or third week of April at the Auto Zone parking lot in Linton.
The first weekend in May, a softball and corn hole tournament is being organized in Jasonville.
Also, a motorcycle benefit ride is also being planned.
The family has established a special fund at Crane Federal Credit Union to help with Leora's medical expenses. Anyone can donate to the account by specifying that the money should go to the Leora Mason Fund.
To send a greeting card to Leora a special post office box has been set up. Mail all correspondence to Leora Mason, P.O. Box 326, Linton, IN 47441.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to help with bills," JD stressed.
As for the future, it remains unclear, but JD and family remain strong in their belief that things will work out.
"I believe thoughts and prayers 100 percent will help her," he concluded.
Local woman faces serious health issues weeks after car accident
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Facebook
Twitter
Leora Mason
JD has spent hours and hours beside his wife's bedside at hospitals in Bloomington and Indianapolis hoping and praying that she will recover.
Today, JD's wife, Leora, is facing an uncertain future as she lays in the surgical intensive care unit at IU Health Hospital following what was a very unusual course of events after a traffic accident last month.
The wreck happened on the evening of Feb. 21, on an icy State Road 54. She was traveling west about 7:30 p.m. and lost control after she 'tapped' her brakes and ended up at the bottom of what is known as "Blue Barn Hill". Her 1997 Expedition hit a ditch on the northside of the road and landed upside down, according to her husband.
JD said his wife's seatbelt maybe have caused some of her current injuries.
"No one knows how long she was in the seatbelt before she was able to maneuver to release it," JD told the Greene County Daily World.
Leora was reported at the accident scene to be not hurt after being checked out by EMTs.
Her three children who were in the car ---- six-year-old Jayden Mason, five-year-old Madison Mason and 16-year-old Taylor Mason ---- were also not hurt.
"She thought she was okay," JD recalled on Thursday morning. "She went to Zumba the week following the wreck and was doing fine ... I guess she was hurt more than she thought she was."
Leora, who is the Human Resources Manager at Glenburn Home in Linton, reported to work the following day and she was admittedly sore, but didn't know something more serious may have been wrong.
Serious medical problems surfaced for the 37-year-old woman the evening of March 5.
The John "JD"and Leora Mason family.
(Submitted photos)
(Submitted photos)
The call was followed by a round of the 'dry heaves' that lasted for more than three hours.
About midnight, 911 was called and Leora was transported to Greene County General Hospital in Linton.
Two hours later she was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital and the family learned that Leora's stomach was essentially clinically dead after a CAT scan exam was completed.
Apparently, blood flow was cut off during the wreck, causing serious damage to the stomach and intestines, JD said.
Leona, who formerly attended school at Bloomfield and graduated in 1994 from Loogootee High School, was placed in a medically-induced coma.
She underwent a pair of surgeries that night and another one the following day.
The Linton woman was then transferred to IU Health Hospital where two more surgeries were done that day ---- March 6.
All of Leora's stomach and large intestine have now been removed. In addition, 85 percent of her small intestine has been taken out.
She remained in a medically-induced come until March 19.
The mother of five is still very ill, according to her husband.
"It's a day by day thing," JD said.
Currently, she's on a ventilator, has a tracheotomy tube to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs, and is getting her nutrition from a feeding tube.
The realities of Leora's condition are very clear to her husband.
"She's never going to be able to eat regular food again," JD slowly said.
He says his family is worried and concerned about their mother's health and future.
The younger children don't really understand everything that's happening, he said, but his older daughter realizes that things have changed for the Mason family.
However, he's confident his wife of eight years can make a recovery.
"I feel 100 percent that she's going to make it. It's just going to be a long road to recovery," JD stated.
Finances are a concern for JD.
His health insurance is being strained and he says it will 'run out' on March 31.
He's applied for Medicaid, but hasn't been approved yet.
"We're fighting for Medicaid. I'm off work due to he being in the hospital and trying to take care of things," JD stated.
The children are being cared for by his mother, Jayne Gregory and step-father, Ken Gregory, of Linton.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to help with all of these bills," he noted.
The Linton man says there has been a big outpouring of help, encouragement and prayers from many friends ---- especially his buddies at the Plummer River Rally.
Lucas Gechtman has organized a benefit raffle of a special Stihl chainsaw that was autographed by members of the band, Jackyl, that performed at the 2011 Plummer River Rally.
Ticket are $5 each or 5 for $20.
The raffle will end sometime in May, JD said.
Other fundraisers are in the planning stages.
A car wash is also being planned for the second or third week of April at the Auto Zone parking lot in Linton.
The first weekend in May, a softball and corn hole tournament is being organized in Jasonville.
Also, a motorcycle benefit ride is also being planned.
The family has established a special fund at Crane Federal Credit Union to help with Leora's medical expenses. Anyone can donate to the account by specifying that the money should go to the Leora Mason Fund.
To send a greeting card to Leora a special post office box has been set up. Mail all correspondence to Leora Mason, P.O. Box 326, Linton, IN 47441.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to help with bills," JD stressed.
As for the future, it remains unclear, but JD and family remain strong in their belief that things will work out.
"I believe thoughts and prayers 100 percent will help her," he concluded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)