Sunday 3 February 2013

Story telling Sunday

Well its storytelling Sunday over at High in the sky again (
http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.co.uk/) I still cant do links lol. Anyway, the theme is something precious to you and this month I picked my patient Eeyore.
Isn't he cute, he has a little hospital coat with a heart on the back as I'm guessing he needs a new one or something lol.
I picked this for this month as I've noticed some newcomers to my blog and as I'm often talking about my husbands illness I thought it would be a good idea to go through the story again for anybody who doesn't know us that well yet. Sorry for any spelling mistakes lol, and dont worry this is the short version.
When Mark was 13 he was diagnosed with immunosupressant hepititus. This basically meant that his body thought his liver was a virus and was attacking it. This was managed with steroids and other medications untill 7 years ago. We were due to be married in a few weeks and I noticed Mark was acting odd, talking about things that wern't there and not acting like himself. Things got worse until one morning I couldn't wake him and he was shaking like he was having a sezire. We rushed him to hospital and were told his liver had given up and he wouldnt last the week, they stabalized him and we had a rush wedding as no matter what I wanted to be his wife. Obviously he did pull through and we managed to hobble through the next 2 years until he was given a liver transplant. During this time he suffered a number of episodes of hepatic encepolopothy which is where his liver couldnt filter out every day toxins so it caused problems with his brain. We were really lucky as it is often fatal. Since he has been given his transplant he is a lot better than he was before but being on steroids for 30 plus years has caused osteoperosis in his bones, and he has unknown damage to his brain which affects his memory and daily function. I'm his full time carer to make sure hes ok and safe and generally we function well together :)
Anyway the story behind this is that years ago I used to collect Eeyores. The room which eventually became Camerons nursery was full of all different teddys, keyrings, figures, everything. When Mark first got seriously sick he was in and out of hospital pretty much every week. To stop him getting too homesick I used to spray this Eeyore with my perfume and he would take it with him. he then became Marks little good luck charm and anytime he's had to go into hospital since Eeyore has gone with him. I've sold most of my other Eeyores due to space but this one will always be special.

14 comments:

  1. Aw! What a sweet story behind Eeyore :)

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  2. Oh my, what you have lived through. I bet you thank the heavens for every day you have with him now. What a marvelous idea to spray your Eeyore with your perfume ;)

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  3. thanks for sharing your story. Your family have coped with such a lot. I think the idea of putting perfume on Eeyore so that you are in the hospital with Mark is just inspired!

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  4. What a story, how difficult for you all and I am sure Eeyore will always be extremely precious to you.

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  5. That's a very moving story Gemma and it feels like a real privilege to have it as part of the Storytelling Sunday collection. Thank you. As someone who has taken steroids in the past, and sat in hospital while I did it, I can really appreciate how much an Eyore sprayed with the right perfume must have meant. It's those little things that really count!

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  6. Wow, the two of you have certainly gone through a lot together. Thank you for sharing your story - what a lucky man to have you for a wife & caregiver & a special Eyeore lucky charm, too!

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  7. What a lovely thing to have done for your hubby..I'm sure it really helps with his hospital stays..a really moving story, thanks for sharing it!
    Alison xx

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  8. Thank you for sharing your story x
    I think the perfume on Eyeore is a great comfort during hospital stays.

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  9. What a lovely thing that you husband has to keep him going through the horrid times when he is away from you. Thanks so much for sharing what must be such a hard (but special) part of your life

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  10. Thank you for your story. I've never known anyone seriously ill, or who had a transplant, but I think you are wonderful for caring so much about your husband. Eyeore is really a precious item for you.

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  11. I'm pleased you did this post, I had managed to put bits and pieces together about Mark's illness but it's nice to read the whole picture. The two of you seem to cope so well with everything and I love your Eeyore, he's always been my favourite character from the Pooh stories. Thank you for sharing x

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  12. I like Eeyore too - glad you kept this one to remember that collection and to continue being a bit of luck and love for your dh :)

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  13. What a wonderful story behind your Eeyore. I'm sure he's not only a comfort to Mark but to you as well as you both deal with Mark's illness. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

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  14. That Eeyore is so very precious to you. Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story.

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Thanks for your comments. :)