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Sunday, June 14, 2009

HOW CUTE WAS I?

I love old pictures, especially of myself....
Brings me back to a time in my life that I don't always remember.
So many of my pictures are of me in Pajama's.
Probably because I was always recuperating from
surgery or chemo. or radiation.
So siblings, need ya'll help.
Often I think of what life was like for you guys
as I was living my cancer life.
So much I don't know about the other side.
Share with me here, ya'll memories of those
years when I was diagnosed with cancer.
What was your life like.
You know I often say when I grow up,
(which I doubt I'll ever do)
I want to be a motivational speaker 
or write a book.
Your memories will be needed for me
to do this.
Share, please and tell me what life was like for you
way back when.
Go back to a different time, even
if is is painful and share with me
our past.
love all of you!!!

48 comments:

  1. Hey, Lil! You were precious!

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  2. OK, I KNOW I WON'T BE ABLE TO WRITE EVERY MEMORY IN ONE SITTING SO I WILL START FROM THE BEGINNING AND ADD TO IT AS I GO! OK?

    "IN THE BEGINNING" WE WERE LIVING IN CUT OFF IN BACK OF THE TEXACO SERVICE STATION (WHERE LOUIS GUIDRY HAS HIS REPAIR SHOP NOT RIGHT NORTH OF THE SOUTH LAFOURCHE BRIDGE ON HWY 1). CJ WAS RUNNING THAT STATION. YOU HAD SLEPT AT MY HOUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND I WAS GETTING YOU READY TO BRING YOU TO KINDERGARDEN WHEN I NOTICED A VERY LARGE LUMP ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE (SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THE MEMORY IS SO VIVID). I LOOKED AT IT AND PRESSED ON IT AND ASK YOU IF IT HURT AND WITH YOUR TWO FINGERS IN YOUR MOUTH YOU SHOOK YOUR HEAD NO. WELL, INSTEAD OF BRING YOU TO SCHOOL I BROUGHT YOU HOME TO SHOW MOM AND DAD. MOM AND DAD DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME AND BROUGHT YOU TO DR PHILIP ROBICHEAUX OUR DOCTOR IN RACELAND. I DIDN'T GO HOME I TOLD MOM AND DAD THAT I WOULD BE HERE FOR ROSIE & C WHEN THEY GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL. WELL I WOULD SAY ABOUT A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER I GOT A CALL FROM MOM THAT YOU WERE AT DR. PHELPS' OFFICE, A PEDEATRITION (SPELL CHECK!) IN RACELAND. I TOLD HER TO CALL ME BACK AS SOON AS THEY KNOW SOMETHING. DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART I KNEW THAT THIS WAS SERIOUS. THEN I GOT ANOTHER CALL FROM MOM SAYING THAT YOU'LL WERE AT ST. ANNE'S GENERAL IN RACELAND RUNNING TESTS BUT DR. PHELPS TOLD THEM THAT IT MIGHT POSSIBLE BE A TUMOR BUT HAD TO MAKE SURE. SURE ENOUGH, THE NEXT CALL WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE TUMOR EITHER ON OR IN YOU KIDNEY AND DR. PHELPS WANTED TO DO EMERGENCY SURGERY NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON. DR. PHILIP REFUSED TO HAVE THE SURGERY DONE AT ST. ANNE AND TOLD MOM AND DAD THAT THIS WAS TO SERIOUS AND SUGESTED THAT HE TRANSFER YOU TO TURO IN NEW ORLEANS. OF COURSE, DR. PHELPS SAID THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE MOVED BECAUSE IF THE TUMOR REPUTURED THAT YOU WOULD NOT MAKE IT. AFTER WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER MOM CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY WERE TRANSFERING YOU TO TURO. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK THAT WAS BUT I DO REMEMBER THAT AFTER SCHOOL ROSIE AND C CAME TO MY HOUSE AND I DON'T REMEMBER BRINGING THEM TO SCHOOL SO IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO THE WEEK-END. I DIDN'T TELL ROSIE OR C EVERYTHING BUT I DID TELL THEM THAT YOU WERE SICK AND AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. NEXT THING I REMEMBER IT BEING LATE AT NIGHT OR EARLY IN THE MORNING THAT I GOT THE NEWS THAT YOU HAD A TUMOR IN YOUR KIDNEY. IT WAS CALLED A WILMS TUMOR. NOT HAVING A COMPUTER OR INTERNET BACK THEN I DECIDED TO BRING TIF, C AND ROSIE TO LIBRARY. I LOOKED UP WILMS TUMOR AND CERTAINLY DID NOT LIKE WHAT I READ. THE TUMOR WAS SO LARGE THAT DR. FISHERMAN DECIDED TO TRY AND SHRINK IT BEFORE REMOVING IT. BY THIS TIME WE KNEW IT WAS CANCERIOUS. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY TREATMENTS YOU HAD BUT I DO REMEMBER THAT THEY HAD SCHEDULED YOUR SERGURY TO REMOVE YOUR KIDNEY AND HAD TO CANCELL SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE YOU STARTED RUNNING A VERY HIGH FEVER. AT ONE POINT, DR. FISHERMAN TOLD MOM AND DAD THAT WE COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER, HE HAD TO DO THE SURGERY. HE DID NOT GIVE YOU MUCH OF A CHANCE OF SURVIVING. IT WAS A MAJOR SURGERY AND YOUR WERE SO WEAK AND FRAIL THAT HE TOLD MOM AND DAD TO PREPARE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT CALL FROM MOM. SHE PREPARED US. TWO THINGS YOU ASKED ME FOR BEFORE YOUR SURGERY WAS TO BRING TIFFANY TO PLAY AND A LUNCHEON MEAT SANDWICH. WE ASKED IF YOU COULD HAVE WHAT YOU ASKED FOR AND THE NURSE TOLD MOM TO GIVE WHATEVER YOU WANTED. NOT A GOOD SIGN! ME AND CJ BROUGHT TIF, C, AND ROSIE ONE MORNING WITH A LUNCHEON MEAT SANDWICH. THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS ALL DRIVING TO GOGOL AND RED'S HOUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY. YOUR NANNIE CAME WITH US. WE HAD TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL VERY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.

    I'LL CLOSE FOR NOW BUT WILL CONTINUE LATER!

    LU
    RONNIE

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  3. BOY THAT ANGE' I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE DID TO THIS COMPUTER BUT THIS IS FROM ME. HAVE TO GO SEE HOW TO CHANGE THIS

    RONNIE

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  4. OK THING I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!! HEY, ANGE'!!!!!!!

    LOVE YOU, ANGE'
    GRANNY

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  5. Ronnie, I remember one day laying on the sofa and having thrown up blood..
    Do you remember this or was this something my memory thinks happened?
    Was it before I was diagnosed or after?
    C remembers something of that but I'm not sure if it's something we heard or really remember it?

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  6. NO YOU REMEMBER RIGHT! HOW MANY TIMES IN YOUR 5 YEARS OF LIFE YOU BLED FROM YOUR NOSE AND THROWING UP. IT WAS NOTHING FOR YOUR PILLOW TO BE FULL OF BLOOD IN THE MORNING. THAT WAS BEFORE YOU WERE DIAGNOSED. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTER BUT WHEN IT DID IT WAS A LOT. MOM AND DAD TOOK YOU TO THE DOCTOR BUT IT WAS ALWAYS SINUS OR BAD TONSILS.

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  7. DAY OF YOUR SURGERY: AS I SAID, ROSIE, C WERE AT UNCLE ROY AND AUNT JEANIE. TIFFANY STAYED WITH CJ THAT NIGHT AND HE BROUGHT HER WITH ROSIE AND C THE MORNING OF YOUR SURGERY. HE COULDN'T MISS WORK, I DON'T REMEMBER WHY BUT HE WAS GOING SOMEWHERE OR SOMETHING. FIRST OF ALL I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY WE STOPPED AT THE HOSPITAL TO SEE YOU. I JUST REMEMBER ME, MONE, AND YOUR NANNIE BEING TOGETHER. I KNOW THAT PETER, AS YOU SAID IN A PREVIOUS BLOG, WAS FIGHTING HIS OWN BATTLE OVERSEAS. I REMEMBER LARRY COMING TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER THE SURGERY BUT I DON'T REMEMBER HIM BEING WITH US. AFTER VISITING WITH YOU'LL FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE GRIFFIN'S. KNOWING THAT WE HAD TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL VERY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, IT WAS EARLY TO BED FOR US. YOUR NANNIE SLEPT WITH FAY IN HER ROOM AND ME AND MONE SHARED THE LIVING ROOM SOFA BED. WELL, YOU KNOW US IN A CRISIS, ME AND MONE COULD NOT FALL ASLEEP AND WE LAUGHED MOST OF THE NIGHT. ONE THING I REMEMBER ALWAYS SAYING IS THAT WE HOPED YOU GET TO BE AN ADULT BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MOM AND DAD BECAUSE YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE A ROUGH LIFE BECAUSE YOU WERE SO SPOILED AND THEN WE LAUGHED BECAUSE WE REALIZED WE WERE PART OF SPOILING YOU! FINALLY I GUESS WE FELL ASLEEP AND WOKE UP PRETTY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.

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  8. WHEN WE GOT TO THE HOSPITAL EARLY THAT MORNING WE WERE TOLD THE SURGERY MIGHT HAVE TO BE CANCELLED AGAIN BECAUSE YOU WERE RUNNING A FEVER OF 104. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, I CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN! THIS WAS LIKE THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME WE CAME AND THEY CANCELLED THE SURGERY. IT WAS HARD TO LEAVE MY 2 YEAR OLD AND ROSIE AND C. WELL, DR FISHERMAN CAME IN AND TOLD US THAT WE COULD NOT PUT THIS OFF ANY LONGER. THE SURGERY WAS ON. I REMEMBER THEM PUTTING ALL KINDS OF STUFF IN YOU IV AND GETTING YOU READY TO GO. WE WERE ABLE TO STAY BY YOUR BED THE WHOLE TIME BUT YOU COULD NOT HEAR A PIN DROP FROM US. FINALLY, YOU, MOM, DAD, YOUR NANNIE, MONE, AND ME WERE ESCORTED TO A SMALL ROOM. THIS ROOM WAS NOT LIKE A REGULAR WAITING ROOM IT WAS MORE LIKE A SMALL PRIVATE ROOM WE HAD OUR OWN BATHROOM. THE NURSE KEPT PUTTING ICE PACKS ON YOUR HEAD AND FEET. I GUESS BECAUSE OF THE FEVER. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR YOU TO GO THE NURSE TRIED TO TAKE YOU FROM MOM BUT YOU WERE SCREAMING AND CRYING AND HOLDING ON TO MOM FOR DEAR LIFE. THEY FINALLY LET MOM BRING YOU AS FAR AS HE COULD AND TRIED TO TAKE YOU AGAIN. SAME THING! FINALLY TWO NURSES JUST TOOK YOU AND BROUGHT YOU TO THE BACK. THAT SCREAM!!! YOU SCREAMED ALL THE WAY AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT SCREAM!! MOM FELL TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO HAVE A NURSE HELP HER BACK TO THE ROOM. WE WERE ALL CRYING AND DAD PASSED OUT. YOU KNOW YOUR NANNIE, SHE GAVE SOMETHING TO DAD AND HE WAS OK. WE WAITED AND WE WAITED THAT SEEMS LIKE HOURS BEFORE FINALLY A NURSE CAME AND TOLD US THE SURGERY HAD STARTED. YOUR TEMP WAS DOWN TO 101 AND THEY WERE MONTERING IT CAREFULLY. I BELIEVE IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED. THE REASON I BELIEVE THIS WAS WE WENT TO THE CAFE IN THE HOSPITAL TO GET SANDWICHES AND CHIPS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE COKE CAME FROM BUT I DON'T REMEMBER BUYING ANY BUT I DO REMEMBER WE HAD SOME.

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  9. FINALLY, DR FISHERMAN CAME IN THE ROOM. BOY DID HE LOOK DRAINED. THIS DR WAS AWESOME AND HONEST. HE TOLD US THAT THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED AND THEY WERE SEWING YOU UP. HE SAT WITH US FOR A WHILE AND LET US KNOW THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THAT YOU WOULD MAKE IT THRU THE SURGERY AND THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD BE CRITICAL. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING YOU AFTER THE SURGERY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE I LEFT OR BECAUSE YOU WOULD BE IN RECOVERY FOR AWHILE. I JUST DON'T REMEMBER SEEING YOU. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WE WOULD TAKE TURNS GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. ONE OF US (ME AND MONE) WOULD STAY WITH THE KIDS AND THE OTHER WOULD GO TO TURO. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DAYS PASSED BEFORE THE MATTER OF MONEY CAME UP BUT I WAS AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN MOM TOLD ME THAT SHE AND DAD "SIGNED ALL THEIR RIGHTS TO YOU OVER TO THE HOSPITAL". YOU WOULD BE COME THEIR CASE STUDY AND THE HOSPITAL AND DR'S FEES WOULD BE WAIVED. I DO HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT DAD HAD A HARD TIME SIGNING THOSE PAPERS. NONE OF US HAD THE MONEY THIS WOULD HAVE COST BUT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT AT ONE POINT AND WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD ALL DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO. OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS YOUR RECOVERY WAS REMARKABLE. DR FISHERMAN WAS SO HAPPY AND TOLD MOM AND DAD ONE DAY THAT THE STUDENTS THAT WERE COMING IN EVERYDAY (AND THERE WERE A BUNCH EVERYDAY) WERE LEARNING AND REPORTING ABOUT YOU. HE THANKED MOM AND DAD FOR SIGNING THE PAPERS SO THAT MAYBE ANOTHER CHILD WITH THIS CONDITION WOULD HAVE A LITTLE LESS TO GO THRU. WELL I THINK AFTER THAT CONVERSATION HELP DAD TO COPE WITH SIGNING THOSE PAPERS.

    LATER I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CAME HOME AND TIMES THRU ALL YOUR TREATMENTS.

    I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. I JUST SEEMS THAT ALL THOSE YEARS DIDN'T PASS. THE BRAIN IS SOMETHING ELSE.

    LU
    RONNIE

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  10. Ronnie thanks for all of this, so much I didn't know but I do remember parts of the day of the surgery.
    I remember the fever and I remember being pulled from Mom's arms, when I got back there a nurse was holding me and trying to comfort me.
    A man told the nurse to lay me down on the table and she told him,
    "I will not lay this baby down until we are ready to start"
    I will never forget that, how she held me as her own and I settled down and held onto her neck....
    probably why I strive to be that kind of nurse.
    You know at school, if I have a little one who is really sick and running fever, I will hold that child in my lap and rock them until their family gets there, just like I was cradled on that day....
    God is a mysterious but awesome thing, isn't he?

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  11. THANKS FOR SHARING THAT PART OF YOU SURGERY DAY. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AFTER YOU LEFT US. I AM HAPPY THAT SOMEONE WAS THAT KIND TO YOU JUST BEFORE. ALL WE WERE TOLD WAS THE SURGERY STARTED AND THE FEVER WAS DOWN. IT'S FUNNY HOW YOU REMEMBER FROM SO LONG AGO. I REALLY REMEMBER SO MUCH OF THAT TIME ESPECIALLY BEFORE AND A WHILE AFTER THE SURGERY. I GUESS AS YOU STARTED TO RECOVER SO WELL I DIDN'T HAVE TO REMEMBER AS MUCH ANYMORE BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT YOU WOULD BE ALRIGHT. THANK GOD!!!!!!!!! ONE MORE THING I REMEMBERED AS WE WERE SITTING IN THIS LITTLE ROOM MY THOUGHTS WERE WITH BECKY, NOT MY BECKY BUT OUR SISTER BECKY WHO MOM LOST 19 HOURS BEFORE BIRTH. I REMEMBER THAT LITTLE WHITE CASKET IN OUR LIVING ROOM AND THAT PERFECT BEAUTIFUL BABY IN THAT BEAUTIFUL WHITE DRESS. I KEPT THINKING ABOUT HER AND I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE ANOTHER SISTER LIKE I LOSS BECKY. REMEMBERED DAD CLOSING THE CASKET AND CARRING IT TO THE CAR. US KIDS WERE NOT ALLOW TO GO TO THE CEMETARY TO BURY HER. WE STAYED WITH MOM. GERRY HAD SUSAN TWO DAYS BEFORE BECKY WAS BORN AND A FEW DAYS AFTER BECKY WAS BURIED GERRY CAME TO BRING SUSAN TO SEE MOM. I REMEMBER MOM IN HER BED HOLDING SUSAN AND CRYING. THAT'S WHAT WAS GOING ON IN MY HEAD THE DAY OF YOUR SURGERY.

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  12. Let's see what my brain can recall:

    I remember going to school, like every other morning, minding my own business, more than likely swiping at my nose...mornings were really hard for me and most of the time I'd leave the house really upset....

    On this particular day, though, I experienced this weird sort of sensation, during the middle of the day, that something was just not right. The rest of the day just kept bugging me because I knew something wasn't right. I was very quiet on the bus on my way home, which wasn't unnatural because there were bullies on the bus who just as soon knock the crap out of you than give you the time of day. I kept getting a feeling that something was wrong and, as always, if Mom and Dad weren't home, for whatever reason, when I got home from school, I was to cross the street and go to Mr. Ralph and Ms. Sadie's, until they came home. Believe me, this didn't happen often that no one was home when I walked off that bus. When I walked inside, it was eerily quiet and as I called for Mom and Dad, got no response. I had a little surge of happiness because I got to go across the street (I loved being at Mr. Ralph and Ms. Sadie's...they loved me so much!!), but then when I walked into the living room, there was a kitchen towel just saturated with blood. From there I think I may have blanked my memory because the next thing I do remember is Nannie coming to get me. I don't know if she was already there or if she had just come in at that moment. From that point, everyting has been a whirlwind of memories and thoughts. I remember spending lots and lots of time at Jeanette and Roy's house and became really close to Jude and Reggie, almost as my brothers. I remember having to take the bus to their house instead of mine, which was a different bus, less bullies I guess, because I didn't mind so much. I remember praying a lot, lot and although confused about all the commotion, I knew there was something seriously wrong my little sister. I knew of death because I'd already lost my Grandma Lima and I think my uncle Poppie Noot, but they were old.

    Besides the bloody towel, the next very vivid thing I remember is the day before Lil went into surgery, not realizing there was more than one attempt, until now, Nannie and C.J. brought me, Rosie and Tiffany to visit. I remember in the car Nannie telling me that Lil was very sick and I'd have to be very quiet, not to upset her, because if she moved too much she could die. Now, in my 7 year old mind, it's like starting a diet every Monday morning in my adult life (you have every intention of watching what you eat...but...)...I'm thinking to myself, "Ok, now you'd better be good and not make Mom and Dad mad or you'll make Lilly cry and she's going to die"...yep, this is what I was thinking...

    I remember the hospital room being very dark and I tried to climb up on the side of the bed to see her and I got fussed, so right away, you guessed it...I'm looking to make sure that I didn't kill her!!!! (I'm laughing and crying as I'm typing this...really). I thought that it was Peter, but maybe it was Larry or Daddy, but one of the three picked me up so that I could see her. She was happy to see me and was showing me her new doll, well, of course, I wanted to hold the baby, too, so I grabbed the doll from Lil and she IMMEDIATELY started screaming. I was so scared and thought for sure that was it, I done killed her now. I want you all to envision a little midget being really close to the floor being surrounded by giants who are looking down on you, fussing and shaking fingers...I was the midget. I don't know if that really happened, but that's what I remember.

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  13. I have memories which are very, very cloudy between Lil being sick and Peter being in the Marines. My gosh, I can't even imagine what Mom and Dad just have been going through during this time. Until now, I guess I've just taken it all for granted because I was so young. But I, as a parent myself, put myself in their shoes and the devestation that they felt, the weight on their shoulders, the only choice they had was to sign over their baby's life to medicine. The relief and experience of one of God's true miracles is beyond what I can even imagine. You are a miracle, Lil, I've always known and the countless number of lives which have been saved because our parents made a decision to put you into God's hands. I've always been, and always will be, so proud of you and I understand why you're one of the most compassionate people I know. Sometimes I wonder, "how in the hell can she be so freaking patient", and then I think back to everything that you've been through.

    Well, I'm not sure how my memories tie in to all that happened, but it's what I remember.

    Love to you all,
    C

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  14. WOW, C, I NEVER THOUGH WHAT I TOLD YOU MADE SUCH AN IMPACT ON YOUR LITTLE MIND. AFTER DR FISHERMAN WAS SURE THAT THE TUMOR WAS INSIDE THE KIDNEY AND THEY WERE TAKING EVERY PERCAUTION NOT TO HAVE THE KIDNEY RUPTURE BEFORE THEY COULD REMOVE IT. WITH THE SURGERY BEING CANCELLED SO MANY TIMES AND THE HIGH FEVER IF THAT KIDNEY WOULD HAVE RUPTURED LIL WOULD NOT SURVIVE THAT. I AM SORRY THAT YOU FELT LIKE THAT. NONE OF WHAT HAPPENED WAS ANYONE FAULT AND WE ALL DID EVERYTHING WE COULD TO HELP OUR YOUNGEST SIBLING STAY ALIVE.
    LU
    NANNIE

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  15. Hey, No big deal...that's just what I remember and you darn well, that I'm not going to let Lil write a freaking book of memoirs and me not be in it!!! I just had to put my two cents in...and I think it's really interesting how all of our stories come together after so many years. All of these experiences have made me the person that I am today and how can I be disappointed in that??? I was never neglected, not in any way because there was always someone to assure me that everything was going to be alright and no matter where I was or who I was with, I was very well taken care of. Nannie, you will ALWAYS BE MY MOMMA AWAY FROM MY MOMMA!!! I love all of my family, but you are my NENA and the NENA of my oldest son, and you have taught me more in my life than anyone. How can I ever repay you for ALL OF THAT....I can't, so tough shit, you'll just have to be satisfied in knowing that you and Momma are the biggest part of who I am today!!!!

    Love you BBBBAAAABBBBBYYYYYY!!!
    C

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  16. well let me just share this part of my bratty self...
    I wasn't all innocent...
    sometimes I'd cry and scream just to see what would happen!!!!!
    No, I don't remember that but I'm sure I did it...
    I do remember that not all the medical profession was so patient.
    I remember them bringing me in the treatment room to mark me with markers for radiation...
    I would scream and cry for my momma but they wouldn't let her come.
    sometimes they would fuss me, but one time I remember one witch held my mail in her hand and told me that if I wasn't quiet I would not have that mail....
    how cruel is that! I think Dad raised hell there I remember him being really mad.
    You have to remember that medicine is not what it is today,
    you didn't have any rights, they did what they wanted.
    yet I am grateful because they did something right!!!!

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  17. OK, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD NEVER ASK!!!! MY BILL OVER THE LAST 45 YEARS IS IN THE MAIL AND BEFORE YOU OPEN IT I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT'S WITH PENALITY AND INTEREST. THINK I'M GOING TO LET THE AUTO INDUSTRY MAKE MORE MONEY THAN ME!!!!!DON'T BELIEVE SO!!!!!

    AS I TOLD LIL OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE ALL DID WHAT WE HAD TO DO TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR HER. NO ONE COMPLAINED, NO ONE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT, FROM THE LITTEST TO THE BIGGEST WE ALL HELPED. I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IF I HAD TO AND IN THE SAME WAY.

    AFTER WHAT YOU WROTE ABOUT ME I GUESS YOU FINALLY FOGIVE ME FOR TAKING YOU TO DAD AND TELLING HIM YOU STOLE KOOL AID FROM LEDET'S. I THOUGHT YOU WOULD NEVER GET OVER THAT!!!!!!

    THANKS C
    LU

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  18. hahahaha
    i remember the Kool-aid
    at the store I kept asking c, what is making that noise,
    I could hear the paper crinkling against the elastic of her pants.
    she wouldn't answer me,
    she should have cuz idda made her put it in the basket,
    ronnie woulda never told me no!!!!

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  19. Oh, Man, here we go again with the Kool Aid. Funny little story...a couple of weeks ago, Jerry Ledet's daughter, Jerica, got married and they had the rehearsal supper at "Celena's". I'm not sure why, but Mr. Ledet was not present, but just to say that at one point I wondered, "Will he remember me as the little snot nosed Freddie Collins kid who stole Kool Aid from him?"...hahahahaha...the only spanking I ever got from Dad was because of the damn Kool Aid...still today I don't drink that shit...hahahahaha!!!

    Love y'all!!
    C

    Nannie...yet, again, another example of how you've helped me to be the person I am...hell if you hadn't told Dad I might be a "Clepto"!!!
    ;-)
    Love ya,
    C

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  20. I'm just going to stick to answering the title question .......... I don't want to get into things like "CJ had to go to work" .. nothing changed there.. or how much Erby Roy and Jeanette rubbed off on C (answers all of my questions) HAHAHA!! So I'll just stick to the title question "How Cute was I?" Well Lil my dear... with that "Fro" you should have pimped that ride a little mo!!

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  21. Hey, Mikie!! You can ask anyone who has ever experienced..."There ain't nothing like a "Wet Jeannie Kiss""...Just hope that one day you will have the chance to experience it!!! HAHAHAHA...I really am so grateful to them for all they did for us at a time when we really needed them. The "Wet Jeannie Kiss" is ALWAYS used in a very loving context!!!

    Love You too!!
    Aunt Jeannie C

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  22. CUTE!,CUTE YOU SAY!!! Bull you were an ugly child. And you still UGLY. In fact if it wasn't for your handsome husband, your children would be ugly also. And remember my words "Beauty is only skin deep but UGLY is all the way to the bone." So even a bone marrow transplant wouldn't help your ugliness. When I said in an earlier blog that you were beautiful I said that just to make you feel good about yourself because I'M A KIND PERSON. I have all the good looks in this family. Always have and always will. I'm so good looking even as a Man, they say I'm not only handsome but I'm also pretty. Ha,HA,Ha,PLEASE,PLEASE, LOL,LOL,LOL. I'm only kidding, joking around. Yes I know I should be ashamed of myself and I am. Come on every body I was just joking.

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  23. I'm very impressed with all of ya'lls memory. These stories are absolutly great. Especially yours Ronnie. I learned as much about Lillys surgery as I'm sure Lilly has. I wasn't around for Lillys surgery but I do have a memory I would like to share with you Lilly.

    Lilly all this is very foggy to me. I really don't know why. I guess there was a lot going on at this time. But I will tell you what I do remember.

    I have to start from the beginning. I graduated from High School around May of 1967 in the first graduating class of South Lafourche High. I then worked the summer at the Gulf service station down the bayou with Joe. I enrolled in an Engineering course at Delgado Collage in New Orleans. And after the summer moved to the West bank and started my schooling. I was about three fourths into my first semester and this is when I remember, "The Shit Hitting The Fan,"(excuse the expression) from all directions all at one time.

    I was constantly being harassed by the Draft Board and to make a long story short I ended up joining the draft. This to me meant that as long as I stayed in school I would have a deferral. Which meant to me I could not actually be drafted. Well I really got that all wrong. Remember I was very young and didn't know better. So I was called into my draft board given a physical, and guess what? I was drafted into the Marine corp. Another thing I believed at the time was that I would be rejected because I was very flat footed. Guess what? I was wrong once again. I was scheduled to depart some time in May of 1968. I remember this because it was almost exactly one year after I graduated from South Lafourche.

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  24. This is about the same time I believe you were going to be or was already admitted to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. I remember meeting Momma and Daddy at Aunt Goo Gool and Uncle Reds House with all my Incomplete Grades in my hand and told them I was leaving school and going into the Marines. I had a C average in all my courses. Mom and Dad were very upset and wanted to raise hell with the Draft Board and Politicians they knew. I told them no that I made up my mind and I was going. This is when I remember them really lowering the boom and making me realize how ill you really were. Up to this point I really don't remember your illness or you being that sick. I don't know why.

    I went back to the Draft Board and raised hell until they gave me a delay on my departure time. Instead of leaving in May I would be leaving in August. I believe this is the period when I spent as much time with you in the Hospital as I could.

    I remember being with you thru some of your treatments and trying to keep your fever down. I also remember spending some nights with you taking my turn so other family members could go home for at least a night before coming back to the hospital to be with you. I remember meeting the little girl with the body cast on. I can't remember her name now but you and she became pretty good friends. She also became a good friend of mine and actually was one of my very close and regular Pen Pals while in Vietnam.

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  25. I find it strange what I do remember. Staying with you at times. That little girl whom we both befriended. And I also remember reading a book as I walked the halls at night. The name of that book was Serpeco. But I'm sorry that this is about all I can remember. I don't have the memory of this as well as Ronnie and the rest of out sisters have. Again I don't understand WHY.

    Please forgive me for the first part of this. I really do think you are a very beautiful Pearson both inside and out. I just had to be the one to Rag you about it. You are one hell of a person and I am very proud of you, your family, your accomplishments and every thing you stand for.

    LUV-U-ALWAYS,
    YOUR BROD.,
    Peter

    P.S. To all: No spell check on any of this, OK ????!!!!!

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  26. who in the hell invited the brother back?!!!
    to abuse me???!!! hahahah
    anyway, I have a memory for you...
    I had had chemo. and you were coming to spend the night with me.
    I don't know where you had gone but you brought me back this clear purse full of lollipops shaped like animals.
    Even at this young age I understood how worried ya'll were and didn't want to add to this...
    I knew if i ate them i'd throw-up but I knew if I didn't, you would be hurt.
    So, I ate one, threw-up and you were upset.
    I believe Mom landed up staying with me that night.
    To this day, When I see those types of lollipops, called sparklers now,
    I get a nauseous and sad feeling inside of me....
    My kids have heard this story but didn't know if ya'll had...
    Her name was Kathy, and I wish i'd had stayed in touch as an adult...

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  27. I REMEMBER KATHY SHE HAD SURGERY I BELIEVE ON HER HIP AND SHE WAS IN A BODY CAST AS PETER SAID.

    PETE I BELIEVE YOU DON'T REMEMBER LIL'S SURGERY BECAUSE YOU WERE GOING THRU A LOT YOURSELF. YOU WERE THERE WHEN WE NEEDED YOU ALWAYS HAVE.

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  28. LIL, I'M LEARNING FROM THIS BLOG TOO. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE LOLLIPOPS. THAT IS A GOOD STORY!

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  29. SOMETHING ELSE I REMEMBER! WHEN YOU'LL FINALLY CAME HOME WE DECORATED THE HOUSE FOR YOU. AS TIME PASS BY, I REMEMBER MOM AND DAD DIDN'T WANT ANY OF YOU'LL TO COME TO MY HOUSE ANYMORE. I KNEW THAT YOU COULDN'T COME OVER BUT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET THE OTHERS COME. I REALLY WOULD GET SO MAD AT THEM. IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO REALIZE THAT MOM AND DAD WERE AWAY FOR SO LONG AND THAT THEY WANTED ALL OF YOU'LL TOGETHER.

    WE REALLY OWE A LOT TO UNCLE RED AND AUNT GOGOOL TOO. THEY OPENED THEIR HOUSE TO ANY AND ALL OF US AT ANY TIME. WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO CALL, WE JUST SHOWED UP AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO SEE US.

    L YLL
    RONNIE

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  30. This is so cool to read about your lives. You stuck together and Lil recovered (thank God). Peter came home safely (thank God). You are all still so close - yes, even though you rag on each other! I wish that I had brothers and sisters. :)

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  31. WELCOME BACK BROTHER!!! LOVED THE STORIES..

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  32. which one, the one that he carried on about how damn ugly I was?!!!
    He's always been jealous of me....

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  33. OK, BRO, YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR YOUNGEST SIBLING'S S--T LIST!!!!!!! MAN AND YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET OFF OF IT!!!!!! THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS H--L MAN!!!! GLAD I'M NOT IN YOUR SHOES!!JUST REMEMBER YOUR OLDER SIS STILL LOVES YOU!!

    "WHO'S YOUR MOMMA!"

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  34. DON'T GET TOO EXCITED PETE, I MENT NOW AND NOT "NOT". BELIEVE ME YOU "ARE" ON THAT S--T
    L--T!

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  35. That is one of the biggest kid's tricycles I ever saw .... Is that the one LeRoy uses to pick up the cans?? And you are proud as a peacock to be on it..... and what's with the mermaid fins on your forehead??

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  36. I wish I could get a date on your surgery. This would help me put a time frame on your surgery and my departure into the Marines. I don’t know if I was there for the surgery but I do remember getting that delay on my departure time from May to August. I sure would like to know if I was actually there for the surgery or if I had to leave before. Does any one remember ?????

    Lilly that was a good story about the candy. Sorry it got you sick though.

    Here is another memory. I don’t remember if it was you that had it or some one else, Lilly. But does any one remember a white stuffed weenie dog that every one would write on as you would do on a cast ??? I don’t think I’ll ever forget that dog and I think its Lilly that had it.

    And Lisa, what’s YOUR problem ??? You act like you’re an only child or something, wishing you had sisters and brothers. You have 5 sisters whom you blog to all the time and 1 very fine, handsome, smart and worldly brother, ME. And you know you can blog some childhood stories of yourself so we can maybe learn more about you. I don’t know about every one else, but I know very little about you before you joined our family. And now you are stuck with us ALL.

    LUV-U-ALL,
    Peter

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  37. uhhh, anonymous....
    don't be dissing my mermaid fins!
    and didn't you ever hear the story that mom and dad would not buy me a real two wheel bike until I was 12!!! that is true!
    so I think they found these huge three wheelers to make me happy.
    I tell everyone that i didn't get my first two wheeler until I was 12 because they kept waiting for me to die,
    when I didn't the said," well the shit won't go away so let's buy her a bike"

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  38. Peter, I do remember that dog!!!!
    Do ya'll remember the pink puppets that I would receive every time I was admitted into Touro i had them on the wall at one time.
    Peter my surgery date was October 15th, 1968
    I believe it was right around the date Toya was born.
    I was always told you were already in the service and that when you came home you were so worried turning your graduation ring over some body of water, and dropped your ring never to see it again.
    Is that true?

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  39. Hey, Peter! Thank you! That sounds good - being stuck with ya'll! Lil, you have been through so much (you all have) and I admire you for the people you have become! :)

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  40. YES THE WHITE WEENIE DOG WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY, I BELIEVE, YOUR NANNIE. I THINK SHE BOUGHT IT IN THE GIFT SHOP AT TURO WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING TO GO BACK HOME. I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW LONG SHE STAYED BUT I DO BELIEVE SHE IS THE ONE THAT BOUGHT YOU THAT DOG. AND I DO REMEMBER THOSE PINK HAND PUPPETS. I REMEMBER THERE WAS A SOFA BETWEEN THE TWO WINDOWS IN WHAT IS THE ROUSSE'S DINNING ROOM NOW (USE TO BE OUR LIVING ROOM). THE WINDOWS FACED HWY 1. WHEN YOU WOULD COME HOME FROM YOUR TREATMENTS, WE FIXED YOUR BED ON THE SOFA WITH I THINK A SPECIAL BLANKET YOU USE TO LIKE AND A "THROW UP" POT WITH ALL OF YOUR PUPPETS ALL ATTACHED TO THE WALL BETWEEN THE TWO WINDOWS.

    PETE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE IN THE MARINES WHEN LIL HAD HER SURGERY. I BELIEVE WE HAD A NUMBER TO CALL THE RED CROSS IF CASE WE NEEDED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU IF ANYTHING HAPPENED DURING OR AFTER THE SURGERY. I COULD BE WRONG BUT THAT IS WHAT I REMEMBER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER!

    LIL DO YOU REMEMBER WHO BOUGHT YOU MS. BEASLEY? I THINK IT WAS UNCLE RED AND AUNT GOGOL.

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  41. yes, my first Ms. Beasley was by GOGOLD and UNCLE RED.
    I hated pictures so they bought the doll so I would take pictures hence the famous pictures with me and Ms. Beasley, the second one was given to me by my wonderful sisters.
    She sits in my walk-in closet in my bedroom and i see her every morning and sometimes I tell her Good morning ms. beasley, i love her....

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  42. oh and I remember the couch, ronnie,
    the couch was white with brown flower print and instead of opening up like sofa sleepers of today it opened like a futon mattress opens...
    I do remember now the puppets on the wall
    and all my toys would be laid out on the foot of the sofa, in reach of my little hands...
    oh, the memories that are coming back...
    isn't the mind an amazing thing?

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  43. know what else I remember,
    on that window that faced hgwy one was a sticker of the 4 first astronauts.
    i don't know who put it there but when i would fall asleep i would stare at that sticker,
    when did the astronauts walk on the moon, was it 1968 or 69?

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  44. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN I REMEMBER TIF AND TIE WERE BOTH BORN AND WE WERE STILL LIVING IN THE FAMOUS HOUSE THAT I WAS GETTING YOU READY FOR KINDERGARDEN AND FOUND THE LUMP ON YOUR SIDE. TIE WAS JUST A BABY SO IT HAD TO BE IN 69 THE YEAR SHE WAS BORN. SORRY I DON'T REMEMBER THE STICKER OF THE ASTRONAUTS ON THE WINDOW. YOU GOT ME THERE!

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  45. I have the story about the astronauts on the window!!! But first, I remember the white dog, the pink puppets and what about the brown paper bags filled with puzzles!!! OMG, how many times did we dump those puzzle pieces to the floor in an attempt to put them together. I loved that living room so much...it was my most peaceful place in the house growing up. I remember Daddy sitting on his old broken down chair leaning on that old oddoman looking thing. When I think of Dad, it's either sitting at the kitchen table or sitting in that old tattered chair.

    Ok, so are y'all ready to know the story about the astronaut stickers!! Here goes...

    I was in a Science Book Club, that Mom and Dad agreed to let me join because I used to be smart and they must have seen potential in me at that time...anyway, the very first book that I received was about the first landing on the moon. In each and every book, there were "licky stickers" (Yes, the ones you had to lick with the glue on the back)and the stickers that were on the windows were from my first book. Yes, of course I got my butt chewed for doing that, just like when I'd write on the walls, and got an ass spanking, but they never did make me take them off...now I know why. Believe it or not, I still have each and every one of those books, which I gave to Arthur as a young boy because he seemed to be interested in Science and Technology and....yes, of course...I saw potential in him. Today my boy is a successful diesel mechanic who graduated from the Nashville Auto Diesel College.

    THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT!!!

    Love y'all,
    C

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  46. well, isn't it something how all our memories come togethr.
    well C i stared at that sticker many many days while sleeping on the sofa.

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  47. Yea, it's really awesome!! I'm going to ask Arthur about those books and hope that he still has them. If so, I'll take them back from him and put with my other books, now that I know the story about the Astronaut Sticker!!

    Wow, yet another closure to another Collin' mystery!!

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  48. HAVE ANOTHER STORY ABOUT DAD:

    IF YOU'LL DON'T KNOW IT DAD WAS A VERY STRANGE PERSON SOMETIMES. HE WAS STUBBORN (SPELL CHECK) ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO HIS HEALTH. I REMEMBER MOM CALLING ME LATE ONE AFTERNOON AND I JUST KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. I COULD HEAR THE CRYING IN HER VOICE BUT NOT WANTING ME TO ACTUALLY HEAR IT. I ASKED HER WHAT WAS WRONG AND SHE TOLD ME DAD WAS SITTING AT THE END OF THE TABLE AND HE COULDN'T BREATH. HE REFUSED TO GOT TO THE HOSPITAL AND WHEN MOM TOLD HIM THAT SHE WAS GOING TO CALL ME HE FREAKED. SHE SAID HE SCREAMED AT HER AND TOLD HER NOT TO CALL ANYONE. WELL, SHE SAID SHE WAITED A WHILE AND HE WAS JUST GETTING WORSE SO SHE DECIDED TO CALL ME. I WAS SO ANGRY AT DAD FOR ACTING LIKE THAT. ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSE I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHAT AM I GOING TO DO IF HE ACTS LIKE THAT TO ME. I DO BELIEVE I CONVINCED MYSELF THAT I WOULD BLOW A GASKET! WHEN I GOT TO THE HOUSE SURE ENOUGH HE WAS SITTING AT THE END OF THE TABLE AND BREATHING VERY HEAVY. I KEPT MY COOL AND TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. WELL, HE LOST IT WITH ME TOO. SOMETHING HE HAS NEVER DONE IN ALL MY LIFE. I DIDN'T LOSE MY COOL AS I THOUGHT I WOULD BUT INSTEAD I SAT NEXT TO HIM AND I TOLD HIM HE HAD TWO CHOICES - HE GETS IN MY CAR AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL OR I WAS CALLING FOR AN AMBULANCE TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. IT WAS HIS CHOICE! HE DIDN'T ANSWER ME FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE HOURS BUT REALLY WAS JUST A FEW MINUTES SO I GOT UP AND TOLD HIM I WAS CALLING FOR AN AMBULANCE. WELL BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE PHONE HE SCREAMED OK OK I'LL GO WITH YOU. ANOTHER INSTANCE THAT I REMEMBER LIKE IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. THE COLLINS BLOOD WAS COMING OUT IN HIM AND ME THAT DAY!!

    L YLL

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