Chaotic_Structure

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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

 

The Twilight Zone Experience
Category: Life

Well, the story goes like this.


I had been planning on going on a camping trip with my family members for a couple of weeks. There was a baby involved in the venture. He is teething. I got a phone call on Saturday requesting that we postpone our trip for 24 hours to monitor the baby's fever before we took him out on the trip. I had understood this temperature to be 105 degrees and was told it was due to teething. I freaked! I tried to play it calm and cool but for the rest of the day and evening and into Sunday, awaiting the "we are going" phone call, I had stressed over it. I couldn't believe that we were taking a baby camping that had 105 temp on Friday night.


I looked up the average temps for babies cutting their teeth and 101 was about normal, along with drooling and loss of appetite. I was told to not say anything to my mother, who had been against the idea of the baby going on a trip, in 35 degree temps at night to 65 during the day. She had become obsessed with it and had made everyone's preparation for the trip stressful.


I was about 2/3 packed when I got the phone call on Sunday afternoon that we were going. I was not told when I should leave so I thought I had another phone call coming to confirm this. But at 3:30 in the afternoon, I finally called to see what was up and when we were leaving and found out that they were already on the road. Sheesh. I still had to pack my personal items and the 45 pound kayak on top of my jeep.


The camping gear had been in my car for weeks. I went through the house, finishing up last minute things, changing kitty litter, getting extra socks, making sure I had meds, etc. I thought, I probably should take my imitrex injections, but then thought, no, I have my pills and that should do it.


I never thought that I would actually wake up with a migraine which would be so far along in it's process of agony and hell that the pills wouldn't make any difference. Injections are the only thing that alleviate that kind of pain. I'm sure you can see where this story is headed. But wait, it gets worse.


I load my kayak, by myself. I tie it down, not very well, but good enough I think. Then I realize that I am the designated wood bearer. They are so packed that they had no room for wood for the campfire.


So, I find an attendant at the grocery store and pay her two dollars to stand watch over my kayak while I go into the store to pay for two bundles of wood and then she helps me load the wood. I then have to go get gasoline. After the gas, I realize I never got the mp3 player and my stereo in my jeep quit working about a month ago. So, now I face this unknown route with no music. I head out and realize the kayak has shifted on the roof. It's sort of whopperjawed - so, I stop and re-tie the sucker, which takes an additional 15 minutes.


Now it is 5:30 p.m. and I start off on the road. It grows dark about an hour later. I am headed toward unknown territory and decide to call my party to confirm my arrival time and get the campsite number. No answer. I call again about an hour later, no answer. I am headed toward a state park and it is a huge state park. It is dark dark dark. I get lost. I make two wrong turns costing me an additional hour of driving time.


When I finally get there, it is 10:00 at night and all come to greet me, freezing to death and say, "Where's the Wood?" I get joked about it being nice to see me, but the wood was even nicer. I understood. It was VERY cold and DARK.


By the time we get the fire going and my tent pitched, it is time for a little chat. First thing on the agenda - is how totally freaked my mother was at this trip. I found out that I had misunderstood the temp. It had been 100 point 5, not 100 and 5. BIG difference. So, I admitted that I had been worried to excess and then was told, "We are good parents, we would never take chances with our baby's health, etc." I was duly chastised but in a nice way. It was then time for bed.


I woke up around 6:00-ish, I guess and had a mild headache from a hard pillow I was using. I didn't have my pill in the tent with me. It was too cold to go and get it, so I just rolled over and chose a softer surface to lay my head and go back to sleep. An hour later, I have an even worse headache. I still do not go get my pill. I go to sleep. However, shortly after that I get my pill because I must vomit. The migraine has progressed beyond pill help. I am doomed.


I stay in my tent all day long, sleeping for two or three hours at a time and waking only to vomit. My friends and family are kayaking, seeing beautiful water falls, taking walks, eating great food and I'm lying in my tent, sleeping, vomiting, sleeping, vomiting. Finally at 4:00 p.m. I come out of the tent after everyone has decided that they would like to move closer to the river and so I get up, unwillingly to move my stuff. I still feel pretty bad. In the process of the move, I mention that I think I will try to stay one more night in hopes that I can salvage the last day of the camping trip and actually put my new Necky kayak out in the water for the second time since I purchased it in August.


It isn't meant to be. I am shaky, weak, dehydrated, nauseous, and even drinking water taste bad because of all the bile that has streaked through my esophogus. I eat half of banana. I gave the rest to the baby, which he promptly devoured and wanted another.


I decide to leave. I don't think I could have made another day, even without a headache. I had depleted my bodily resources needed for extended kayaking. I left at 4:30. Just as I was leaving the park, I pulled over and threw up the banana and water that I had tried to balance my electrolytes with.


Then another 30 minutes on the road, I pulled over again to vomit. I could only drive about 15 to 30 minutes at a time before having to pull over and sleep. About the fourth time I had pulled off the road for some rest, it was about 7:00 p.m. I took my last imitrex pill, slept for 20 minutes and then made the 100 miles left in one fell swoop except for one stop to get an icy diet coke. That made me feel better. At 9:00, I finally got home.


Yes, I am better today. Am I sorry I didn't stay? No, I need to learn a lesson from this trip. I must take ALL meds, no matter what my irrational thought processes are at the time as to why I wouldn't need them. I must clarify things that disturb me. Such as the temperture of the baby. I must learn to leave with plenty of daylight in order to pitch my tent while there is light and the BIGGY - I must have my cell phone CHARGED fully.


Yes, that was yet another little prick in my side. I had no cell phone after an hour into the trip and all of the messages with directions that my party had been leaving me, had been left on my HOME phone and not my cell phone.


So, prayer came into play Sunday night. I remember driving down that park road, thinking - I have no idea where I am going, "please Lord, direct me". And sure enough, as I round that last bend into the deepest part of the park, I see the car flashing lights at me.


Ah - that was the best and only good part of the trip.



© D. Leeson 2005

6:20 AM - 15 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Old Women in a Shoe

Being a women who goes through life making most decisions based on premonition.

You should have listened to your inner voice.

It was telling you the whole thing was a bad idea.

Imitrex??  You must tell me about this,  I have never heard of it.

Amy

Posted by Old Women in a Shoe on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 7:10 AM
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Chaotic_Structure

I know. I wish I could tell when that still small voice is actually speaking to me. I think I know some of the time, but others, just simply don't get through my density.

The imitrex. I have been taking it since the early 90's. It has saved me from loosing precious days from migraines. I highly recommend it. However, I have found that many people have trouble taking it, because it makes them sleepy or it can mess with some people's heart. The heart will palpitate and beat irrythmically. I have not had those problems except with the shot and the shot will make me sleepy for about an hour. But other than that, it's a miracle drug in my opinion. It must be prescribed by a physician.

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 7:44 AM
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zazen_lover

Deb, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your migraine :(.  Your blog is really great, though, and it is much appreciated.  I am glad you made it safely there and back and were not so disappointed you could not write about it.  I'll send you all the Canadian "healing" vibes I can to keep those little buggers at bay in the future - especially when recreation is involved!!! 
xoxo
mary

Posted by zazen_lover on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 7:29 AM
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Chaotic_Structure

Thanks very much, Mary. Yes, I blogged about it. But not until the next day after a good night's sleep. It's amazing how we can make all these great plans and have something totally unexpected happen shutting down everything that we thought would be wonderful. Oh well. Next time, I will have a charged cell phone, all of my meds and arrive early. :-) Thanks for the warm wishes and I hope you are happy and well too.

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 9:00 AM
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Atsil'-dihye'g

Bless your heart! Headaches alone are enough of a pox to ruin a day or two, and to have one as severe as yours to set upon you while away from the safety of home is horrible. Tep and I missed you, I'm certain we were not alone in wishing you were back with us here. Perhaps we felt it, you were heavy on my mind and daily in my prayers.. but I would never have imagined the ordeal you actually had to live through. May your holiday be so wonderful as to make up for the loss of enjoyment on your trip. ~A~

Posted by Atsil'-dihye'g on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 8:51 AM
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Chaotic_Structure

It is nice to be missed and I know that you and Tep were praying for me. I don't think I could have made it back without assistance without the prayers. I almost called my parents to come and get me at one point but then realized I had no cell phone. *sigh* so I persevered. It's good to be back to make the preparations of seeing my special guy tomorrow. That will make me smile for sure. As did this post from you. Thank you dear friend.

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 9:03 AM
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PoetWarrior

Deb!  I hope you are back to 100% by now and that the Migraine is no longer "Your-grain"!

The Lord does work in mysterious ways...glad you are..at home and recooping; after your experience, that's a Thanksgiving thing.   Be well and be good to you!

L, Ted

Posted by PoetWarrior on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 11:40 AM
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Chaotic_Structure

A your-graine - ugh

Yes, the Lord does and I'm grateful He was watching out for me on this one.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Ted. And you be good to you too.

xo - deb

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 3:13 PM
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kelly

Deb I suffer from migraines myself so I know exactly how you were feeling. To have driven all the way home even after the headache part of it was gone..wow...you're one tough cookie!! I'm glad you made it home safely! :)

Posted by kelly on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 2:37 PM
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Chaotic_Structure

I had to pull over often. It was a nightmare. I kept thinking. Ok, I'll pull over and sleep just a few minutes and then I'll drive a bit more. It took me four hours to drive a 2 and 1/2 hour drive. Thanks for the comment, Kelly. I feel for anyone that has to go through a migraine. Ouch, is an understatement. :-) Hugs to you - deb

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 3:12 PM
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~Corazón del Flamenco~

What an ordeal! I am happy to know you found your way home safely. -hanni-

Posted by ~Corazón del Flamenco~ on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 4:30 PM
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Chaotic_Structure

It was truly terrible. I'm just wondering how my family will make me laugh about this one. My brother has a way of making even the most excruciating things, humorous. Thanks for the visit, Hanni - I miss you! xo -deb

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 4:33 PM
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Chaotic_Structure

I knew if there was one thing I couldn't forget and that was the wood. Boy, would my ass have been grass if I hadn't shown up with the wood. :-) whew!

Posted by Chaotic_Structure on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 9:47 PM
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David Leeson

No doubt about it.

Bro.

Posted by David Leeson on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 2:47 AM
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