Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Dianna Doles Petry

December 1, 2007

A Day in the Life

Dianna Doles Petry

The day started at 5:30 AM with a telephone call, not a wrong number, but a
call that I wasn't expecting or desiring. It was a long lost friend who
hadn't bothered to call me for several years and now, when she is going to
be in town to raise funds for one of her causes, she "Just had to talk with
you and make sure that we can get together." I fought back the urge to slam
the telephone receiver against my nightstand a few times and instead very
politely mentioned the time.

She giggled and started into what felt like a pre-written speech about
saving the rainforest and how we each needed to do our part for the planet.
I agree with that part, we do need to become more aware of our environment
but at that time of the morning, after being awakened from a deep sleep, the
only thing I was truly aware of was my full bladder. Lying there in my bed,
still warm and snuggled in my comforter, I lost track of her words until I
heard, "I'm sure you could buy at a couple of these pieces of land. You
will get a real deed and everything! How many other people in West Virginia
would be able to say they own a piece of the rainforest? In fact, this
would be a perfect gift for your children this Christmas! At only $500 a
plot, each of them can own a parcel of land in the rainforest. Can I put you
down for at least two?"

"Oh, really? Just how big are these plots of land?" I asked in a rather
agitated tone of voice.

The early bird didn't stand a snowball's chance in Hell of selling me that
property but I have to say, she was determined. "Each piece of land measures
a full six square inches!" Her bubbly voice and enthusiasm was just too
much that early in the day.

"Well, you do know that I'm dying don't you?" I asked. I heard her gasp as
though someone might have pinched her and after a short pause to collect her
thoughts, she replied with, "Oh my, I didn't know but you know what? This
would be the perfect legacy for your family. It would truly be the gift that
keeps on giving! I can get out there today if you want me to bring the
paperwork so we can do this now!"

"I am dying to strangle you! I am dying to go to the bathroom! I am dying
to ask you if you have any common sense at all! I hope that I'll be around
a few more days but I am dying because you are killing me with your
stupidity!" With that, I hung up the telephone rather loudly and then made
my way out of bed and to the bathroom.

A short time later I was dressed and ready to go visit my son in the
hospital. I picked my brother up at his house to bring him here to stay
with my mother. She has always been her favorite child, probably just
because he is her only son and her last child. Today, however, she thought
he was Ulysses Grant, and she was honored that he had come to see her. She
wanted me to prepare a fine meal and serve coffee immediately. She wanted
to change into a beautiful dress and have her hair brushed. She wanted to
help end the Civil War. My brother had to leave the room and return thirty
minutes later. By then, she thought he was her brother but she was happy
with that so I could leave the house.

My son is hospitalized with a flare-up of his Ulcerative Colitis. He was
diagnosed with the disease in 2005 and this makes his third hospital stay to
battle the ugly monster. In the beginning, he didn't tell me for a long
time that he was hurting so badly and making so many trips to the bathroom.
He had learned to avoid food to avoid the pain. Why? I'm not sure even
though I asked him many times. I think he was sure it was only a virus that
would pass with time. Of course, at the age of fifteen, he was also
embarrassed to talk about something so personal. Now, he alerts me when the
symptoms start and he begins medication immediately. This time, however, the
flare-up was so severe that his body could not even process the oral
medication because he rejected it so quickly.

I entered his room this morning to find him a lot more chipper than he was
yesterday. The steroids had started to give him relief and he had been able
to eat some breakfast without having severe pain. Breakfast...something we
normally take for granted and seldom relate to a painful experience. He
smiled and it melted my heart. He used to be such a happy person but this
disease has changed him. He is still an outgoing and friendly person but he
does not have the same dreams and pleasures that other young men his age
take for granted. He tries not to show his bitterness at his life but at
times it becomes impossible for him to hide. It felt so good to see his
smile and know that his pain had subsided.

We sat there together watching DVD's that he had carried to the hospital to
pass the time while he was connected to the IV pump. We watched a Bela
Lugosi movie, the first one in which he played 'Dracula.' Next, we watched
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' Watching a movie in a hospital room is
nothing like watching it at home. Every half hour the nurse came in to take
Chris' vital signs and anytime a nurse was paged, the sound on the
television went out. Nevertheless, we were enjoying just being there
together to talk, to crack corny jokes or discuss anything and everything
that crossed our minds.

Then I got a text message on my cell phone. I was told that the students at
the high school were being held in lock down status because of a prison
break at the local maximum security facility. Kyle, my nephew, and Courtney
my Goddaughter, were both there and I felt a twinge of panic fill my heart.
I made a couple of phone calls to learn that no was could leave the
building and no one could enter the building for any reason. At least I
knew they were safe but my instinct was still to get there where they were
and so I left the hospital.

During the forty-minute drive to get back to this area, my mind was full of
thoughts about this prisoner escape. The inmates at this facility includes
killers, rapists, drug dealers, thieves, etc. Any of these people could be
extremely dangerous and had very little to lose if they had a chance to get
away from the shackles of confinement. Students or teachers would make
perfect hostages. I said a prayer and drove with the wind.

By the time I reached the outer limits of town, I got a call from Kyle. The
students had been dismissed and he was on his way home. I breathed a sigh
of relief and gave Chris a quick call to let him know that all was well for
the time being. I asked if he would like me to come back to the hospital
and he that he was fine and I should get some rest. That sounded wonderful
so I headed for home.

A couple of hours later, just as I was showering my mother, I got a call
that there had been a problem at the hospital. Something had happened with
the IV line and a vein had given way. It was under control at that point
but I could tell that Chris was drained. "Mom," he said, "I was sitting here
drawing a sketch of Spunky (a cat) and I felt something plopping onto my
jeans. It was my own blood and as I looked over, it started to spurt
everywhere." He refused to allow me to come back down there tonight but I
ll be there first thing in the morning. He is struggling so hard to act like
a man but I know he has many fears and sadly, there is little I can do to
comfort him except to be here for him and to encourage him.

I haven't been able to sleep much this evening but I'm going to try again
here in a short while. At the moment, there are police roadblocks on both
major roads here searching for the escaped prisoner. Would you believe he
is computer nerd that embezzled money and only had a few months left to
serve? I was worried about protecting my family from a serial killer and
instead, I need to protect my computers....yes, this is a normal day of my
life.

Dianna Doles Petry
November 29, 2007

dianna59@suddenlink.net