Oh, what a difference five minutes make. Check out the real Grace and Frankie.
Meet my sister. Of course, the gal on the right is my mother and former boss Frankie.
Why the masks? Well, it’s a long story …
But first, apologies for not sharing the teaser about that time that famous tv guy toddled into the shop and Francine didn’t … Hopefully I can get to it next Momday Motivations.
Today I’m impelled to share Francine’s unfortunate news.
Just TypiKel
Francine and I innocently went to the movies on Saturday afternoon.
I left her in the lobby after the movie and zipped to the car, which took me probably five, maybe six, minutes tops. As I pulled up to the curb I saw that my mother had not only moved outside but she had a knot of people clustered around her. That woman has a gift for making friends! She was probably sharing where she got her wondrous wheelie, or what she thought of the movie, or who sold her the cosy puffy jacket she was wearing.
But no. Sadly not.
“Kelly, you have to take me to Emergency right now. I’ve bashed my knee and it’s bleeding but the real problem is my back. I’ve never been in so much pain.”
The hovering angels chimed in.
“She was leaning against the sliding door and as it slid open she toppled right over.” “She’s hurt.” “Poor dear.”
I left her alone for five, maybe six minutes tops and the woman suddenly requires the ER?
Yes, as my sister-in-law would later aptly sum it up: “Just TypiKel.”
She’s A Tough Old Bird
One woman followed us to the car. “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t do more, I just got here.” What a gem. As Francine gingerly backed onto the passenger seat, she whipped the wheelie into the back and then cupped her hands on the window and yelled “I hope you’ll be okay!”
Everyone else waved with concern as we pulled away from the curb. But now wasn’t the time to think about their extraordinary kindness. It wasn’t time for emotion at all. My focus must be solely on getting my precious cargo to the hospital a good 15 minutes away.
This is the second hospital run I’ve had to make in the past six months. The last one was longer and less mysterious. I knew the problem as I witnessed Francine scraping her legs on the running board of my brother’s truck.
However, my mother’s response was exactly the same.
Acceptance.
“I’m a tough old bird, Kel. I’ve never had such pain and I have probably punctured a lung, but I’ll be ok.”
Sweet Jesus. A punctured lung? I assessed her in a quick sidelong glance. Color? Remarkably good, considering. Airway? Shallow breaths but she could speak, so the shallowness must be due to excruciating pain.
“Now, Kelly, tell me about the bits I missed in the movie.”
I was determined to follow her lead and not cry and thankfully my voice held firm.
Check Out The Real Grace And Frankie
Once Mom got through admitting and was dispatched to the waiting room, it was time to bring the siblings into the loop. My brother was regretfully forced to stay home as he was “fluey” but my sister dropped everything.
We hung out for the next three hours amidst folks suffering from broken bones or the flu. If not for the grace of my sister, it would have passed ever so much slower. She was an absolute godsend, rustling up the masks and encouraging liberal use of the liquid disinfectant (“the last thing we need is a flu bug”) and distracting Francine with a novel game of “guess who.” Mom, flagging from pain and worry, would peer at Sis’s phone and perk up immediately as various great-grandchildren popped up on the screen. She correctly identified the majority of them.
After four hours, several x-rays and a consult with the radiography department at another hospital we finally had a diagnosis. Francine has two cracked ribs and a five-percent pneumothorax or collapsed lung. The lovely doctor’s advice is to carry on as normal and be kind to herself. Everything will heal in time.
Francine’s reaction?
“However will I shower?”
“Great question, Frankie. May I suggest that you step in and then slowly turn on the water taps. As the water comes out, you can gradually adjust the heat …”
Bless him. His gentle and humorous manner was just what she needed. We headed for home with a sore but grinning Francine.
I’ll leave you with this photo taken at the x-ray followup yesterday.
Frankie refused to put on the mask. Best not to tell our Grace.
Apologies to those expecting a rundown of the brilliant Netflix show. I’m loving it, but felt my followers would want to check out the real Grace and Frankie.
22 Responses
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear about your Mum’s latest adventure. So scary for you both ! She has the most positive attitude, and hope that she will be up and about again soon !!
Thank you so very much, Jane. She’s doing as best as she can and is making noises about going on a trip to a sunnier climate … Hmmmm …
Trying for a nice Sunday matinee were you ? Just TypiKel!?
You said it. Just TypiKel.
While I’d much rather watch an episode of Grace and Frankie than be in one, I take my mask off to you and all those who came to Mom’s aid. Always happy to provide distractions and share in a little family humour to get us through the tough times. Nice of the ol’ gal to wear her mask for the photo.
Yes, we are indeed blessed with the family humor to get us through the tough times, Wend. Thank you again for always being there.
So sorry to hear this, rough stuff. Glad there were kind strangers to step in during your run to get the car. Kind of amazing what can happen in 5 minutes.
Oh my word, it is so very, very true about the 5 minutes. Now, if only we could speed up the recovery to being only 5 minutes … Thanks.
Oh sweet Jesus Kelly ?? Wish your Mom a soeedy recovery – no sneezing tell her.
Yes,sweet Jesus indeed. Five minutes, Janice, that’s all it took. I was so happy that I’d parked so close, too.
God bless the real Frankie and Grace! I hope your tough old bird heals quickly and has relief from pain. Another sweet shout out to your sister. 🙂
Thank you, Katy. She’s doing everything she can but it’s going to be a long haul I think. Ugh. I’m having dinner with her tonight and I’ll pass on your kind wishes. That sort of kindness bucks her up tremendously. And yes, my sister is a gem. Stay well.
May your dear Mom heal quickly and fully. I also had to spend 14 hours at ER with my Mom on Saturday and she’s now back home. Stressful times with our Mom’s.
Oh, Suzanne 14 hours is a lonnngggg haul. I hope your Mom is ok. Mine is doing as well as can be expected. The doc suggested she take big breaths as often as possible, to ward off pneumonia but that was proving to be very painful. Her GP came up with the brilliant suggestion of blowing through a straw instead! That’s doable. Phewf. Sending you another jumbo hug, Suzanne and the hopes that another ER visit isn’t in the cards. It is stressful times with our Moms, indeed.
I’ll take the real Grace and Frankie any day. I’ve tried watching the show a couple of times and decided that I’m not a fan.
Thanks, Kathy. Our Frankie is truly one in a million.
That’s the thing about falls – they happen in the blink of an eye and everything can change so quickly depending on the damages. So happy Frankie is not hurt worse, and she is coping with her usual humor and acceptance. She is truly amazing. She wasn’t far off on her diagnosis about the lung but thank the Lord she didn’t actually puncture it!
So very true on all counts, Molly. And she’s being a champ about doing her assigned homework of blowing bubbles through a straw, so that’s good.
Oh that Frankie, she’s always one to steal the show! I guess the movie theater is the perfect place to do such a thing. Ha! But of course, I hate that she fell and was injured! That is not something to laugh about- but her adorable spirit? Well, that is. 🙂
I do think she met her match in that Doctor. Oh my gosh, that is HILARIOUS.
But ouch. It sounds painful, and I hope she heals quickly!
Yes, she is one to steal the show, Chris. And she’s going to LOVE that you think so! We were so lucky to get that Doc as he normally works at another hospital. He was a tonic, I must say.