tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post1720246766001460322..comments2024-01-01T20:33:52.554-08:00Comments on a moon, worn as if it had been a shell: PET - A ChapterElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-10039665078244576132011-05-28T02:14:24.767-07:002011-05-28T02:14:24.767-07:00This had me in tears. For you, for Sophie, for al...This had me in tears. For you, for Sophie, for all the mothers of sick children and for all those children, and for the countless times I've stood by my child being pocked by needles (once, the only vein they could find was in the head), and it was just the beginning.<br />That art contraption must be a representation of frustration.Francescahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316361078052416731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-20179434510971556692011-05-27T10:34:48.193-07:002011-05-27T10:34:48.193-07:00Beautiful and heartbreaking, Elizabeth. And so imm...Beautiful and heartbreaking, Elizabeth. And so immediate. The Lucite contraption is an apt metaphor for the maze you entered trying to get conclusive insight on how best to help Sophie. Your aching mother's heart is so palpable in this, and the dynamic of marriage, and the tech's indifference being the hardest of all things to bear. It is compelling in its details as well as in the emotion that in there in every word, without your trying for that. It's so real. I feel as if you took me inside the experience and for that I feel privileged and humbled and grateful.<br /><br />I am glad you are writing this book. <br /><br />Love to you.37paddingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12400464105403622384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-27230981773240294422011-05-27T05:48:43.609-07:002011-05-27T05:48:43.609-07:00I'd love to read the whole book!I'd love to read the whole book!Selenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16906565055142387639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-10866201328557021782011-05-26T23:43:18.113-07:002011-05-26T23:43:18.113-07:00It's so beautifully written Elizabeth. I want ...It's so beautifully written Elizabeth. I want the rest!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399324383367077919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-5058469458284825562011-05-25T11:07:28.235-07:002011-05-25T11:07:28.235-07:00Very powerful.
Reminds me of when Ben got bronchi...Very powerful.<br /><br />Reminds me of when Ben got bronchiolitis as a 3 month old. We were at a cottage and ended up at a rinky dink hospital. They couldn't get a vein in any of the regular places, and after exhausting all options, they put an IV right into a vein in my boy's head!<br /><br />Good for you for putting your foot down. I was still too green and scared then.BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-38122809796132203342011-05-25T10:01:13.086-07:002011-05-25T10:01:13.086-07:00great beginning, middle and end. As a former NICU...great beginning, middle and end. As a former NICU nurse who sucked at getting in on the first time I shudder at a "TECH" attempting to start an IV on a baby...think this information should be sent home with each new mother as they leave the hospital...would love to read more!colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13329067973795030839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-56747283256151380662011-05-24T06:21:43.802-07:002011-05-24T06:21:43.802-07:00Modern medicine is still part snake oil, ruling th...Modern medicine is still part snake oil, ruling things out, a little hit and miss, although doctors don't like to think of it like that. And what we can't fix, OMG, still the belief persists that doctors can fix everything and anything. <br /><br />The tech should have stopped after two pokes. Wanker.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-1294929677099022712011-05-24T05:40:18.392-07:002011-05-24T05:40:18.392-07:00I have been through countless stick scenarios with...I have been through countless stick scenarios with Royce. The worst one was 8 - a doctor. The nurse got it first time after that. I can't bear it. Reading your incredibly clear and detailed recollections of that occasion made me remember how horrible and powerless I felt ... And how that sense of anger welled until I had to stop him. I was cross at myself for not stopping him sooner. I hate letting medical professionals take control of my son and prod and poke him endlessly. Yet without them he probably would be a lot worse off. It' s a bitter-sweet relationship I've learnt to tolerate.mhkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824535162225016668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-39409985517633500522011-05-23T20:37:15.880-07:002011-05-23T20:37:15.880-07:00Ok, I can't put it down. Yes - it's one of...Ok, I can't put it down. Yes - it's one of those E. You have a story that transports me and puts me right in your shoes and I want to keep reading to see how it all turns out. Only problem is, I know your life is only on about chapter 10.<br /><br />The chubby crease in her wrist makes me want to cry.<br />The sweating tech makes me want to yell.<br />And the radioactive protection makes me want to hide under the covers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10818795902981871173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-1455026041492370322011-05-23T20:33:53.202-07:002011-05-23T20:33:53.202-07:00I love the sculpture. Kinetic work has always bee...I love the sculpture. Kinetic work has always been my favorite.<br /> <br />It is written very well.<br />I can't believe all you guys have been through, and I do think it is important to write your story.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071740989565033354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-81996623919004796672011-05-23T19:57:54.989-07:002011-05-23T19:57:54.989-07:00PET--- a word that normally conjures such sweetnes...PET--- a word that normally conjures such sweetness. I think I remember this essay from a workshop and it still had me on the edge of my chair.<br />We will do anything that we think will help/cure our children. Yay for you for putting your foot down that day. Remaining silent and stoic probably would have you still regretting it.<br />Getting caught up with your beautiful blog.<br />Yes, let's eat some cake. <br />After June 5th?Denise Emanuel Clemenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10982725113569943337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-72171174041122281742011-05-23T19:10:33.082-07:002011-05-23T19:10:33.082-07:00Steph - There's always color!
Kathleen - Than...Steph - There's always color!<br /><br />Kathleen - Thank you for your comments. This is just a chapter, and it's early in the life of Sophie -- <br /><br />Ms. Moon - You are too kind, but thank you.<br /><br />erika - Know any agents?<br /><br />Lisa - I'm sorry I brought back bad memories, but thank you!<br /><br />Birdie - Yes, "broken" is the word -- little did I know how much would be broken over the years, how much one could break and still keep on!<br /><br />kario - Thank you for commenting about the sculpture --<br /><br />Allegra Smith - No one should have to endure these things. Sometimes I wish we lived in the days of shamans and medicine men and women. But I guess those times had their own particular agonies.<br /><br />formerlyonlyamovie - Thank you. I wish you had been!<br /><br />krlr - Still haven't "figured things out" -- except that we've figured out that there's no figuring out --<br /><br />Leah - Thank you.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-50667427537749768362011-05-23T18:46:57.929-07:002011-05-23T18:46:57.929-07:00I was fascinated & a little horrified (7 stick...I was fascinated & a little horrified (7 sticks!?). How frustrating for you both. Though I thoroughly understand the twisted gratification of "ruling things out".krlrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14392064691347464660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-20585002601208388452011-05-23T17:13:11.781-07:002011-05-23T17:13:11.781-07:00Loved the writing - felt like I was in the room wi...Loved the writing - felt like I was in the room with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-3469836655415053482011-05-23T16:20:03.151-07:002011-05-23T16:20:03.151-07:00After all these years I still wince when I see a n...After all these years I still wince when I see a needle approaching. My veins roll and hide around my elbow and the descriptions of both the MRIs,<br />CATscans, PETscans and the like just always leave me with a sense of frustration. Good news or bad news they have a mysterious power over both the physicians and the patients.<br /><br />I know for the PET they come completely suited, with this syringe encased in a lead box and everything is so unreal and then everyone leaves the room and there you are, at the mercy of radiation.<br /><br />I have asked to reduce the tests now. Knowing how things go, we will probably die of radiation as a result of some "undefined" cause.<br />I hope Sophie never needs another test of any kind and that some sunny morning she may get up by herself and ask you what is for breakfast. You know that in my heart that is my truest wish.A.Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06947308878002639964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-68443502487248738862011-05-23T14:02:37.499-07:002011-05-23T14:02:37.499-07:00I love the beginning with the sculpture. Such a gr...I love the beginning with the sculpture. Such a great metaphor! And the Mama Bear in you - so absolutely true-to-life. <br /><br />This is a very poignant snapshot, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing it.kariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150537989886423212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-34548176200192700792011-05-23T14:00:26.421-07:002011-05-23T14:00:26.421-07:00When my daughter was a baby she went through a sim...When my daughter was a baby she went through a similar procedure. It was one of the worst moments of my life. I think I broke a little that day. I understand this post and how inside you are scream and want to fall to the floor but you can't. Because she needs you.Birdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03479872783727855901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-70755397869373991062011-05-23T13:02:22.418-07:002011-05-23T13:02:22.418-07:00Elizabeth, I broke into a sweat reading this - I&#...Elizabeth, I broke into a sweat reading this - I've been both the patient and the mother in this whole bumbled needle stick scenario. Your description brought it alive; you're a fantastic writer.lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610964269519875224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-50419059591527723872011-05-23T10:51:11.292-07:002011-05-23T10:51:11.292-07:00I think your writing is terrific, you have an amaz...I think your writing is terrific, you have an amazing voice, you inspire boatloads of people, and you should publish this book already.erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03048369118376287016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-43940961763127320952011-05-23T10:15:06.343-07:002011-05-23T10:15:06.343-07:00I like this as it stands. I can see the fat baby a...I like this as it stands. I can see the fat baby arms, the crease there. I can see your frustration building, I know that pain. And to understand that with you here, you were already a veteran, already armed and sure enough to say, "Enough. We need someone else to do this."<br />You are the bravest woman I know. And such a writer, Elizabeth.Ms. Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776404747858099919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-980236436541127662011-05-23T09:55:51.836-07:002011-05-23T09:55:51.836-07:00Elizabeth, thank you for publishing this. It takes...Elizabeth, thank you for publishing this. It takes courage to open to others. <br /><br />Great opening image, it will stick with me. I could hardly make myself read when you got to the part about the tech & needle. And the last few sentences completed the fearsome circle.<br /><br />You probably have more description of Sophie earlier in your book. If this chapter were standing on it's own as a story, you might consider adding some here. And a vignette or remembrance or something to light her personality for the readers.Kathleen Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868566314392048880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863417462909147257.post-13377847552168480652011-05-23T09:51:08.549-07:002011-05-23T09:51:08.549-07:00I got some new gray hairs just reading this.I got some new gray hairs just reading this.Steph(anie)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01345590378662641435noreply@blogger.com