SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022, SATURDAY STORY - GRANNY DOWN - PART II

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022 SATURDAY STORY

GRANNY DOWN - PART II

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From Part I:

Julie Bowen, a teammate on the Fire Ants Granny Basketball team went down hard in our game against the Shooting Stars from South Austin.  She sat out the rest of the game and then asked me to take her to St. David’s Emergency Room.  She said she didn’t feel good.

I helped her in and then went to move the car out of the emergency entrance where I had double-parked.  When I got back, Julie had passed out and a group of medical staffers were surrounding her and rushing her to a room.  I thought I heard the word “dying”.

The emergency room receptionist asked if I was related (I should have answered ‘yes’) but I wasn’t related.  She then asked if Julie had other family members in the area.

Julie’s son Jeff lived in Georgetown but had been estranged from his mother for several years.  I didn’t know if he would come or not.  I gave the receptionist Jeff’s number (which I had gotten from Rhonda Masters, our Granny Basketball coach).  I took a seat close to the receptionist’s window.

I heard the receptionist call and ask for Jeff Bowen.  I heard her say “Your mother is close to death”.  What was going on?  She fell during a Granny Basketball game and injured her foot.  She didn’t have a heart attack - or did she?

Later Jeff Bowen came to the Emergency Room and we chatted a little.

I was still asking myself “What was going on?”

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Today’s story

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I had been in the St. David’s Emergency waiting room for four hours.  People came in, people left and I was still there.  Rhonda Masters stopped by and sat with me for about half an hour. Rhonda is a little more aggressive (good traits for a coach) and she asked at the receptionist window about Julie Bowen's condition - and was rebuffed since she wasn't part of the family.  

Rhonda had other activities and didn't stay long.  '

It was right at eight o'clock that Jeff Bowen came out to the waiting room - and I instantly reacted.

"How is she", I called out when I saw him.

He came over to me and sat down.  

"Well", he started. "She had major surgery for her cancer of the spine."

I must have fallen off my chair with that remark.  Cancer?  Cancer?  I didn’t know Julie had cancer.

Jeff answered that concern.  “She didn’t know she had cancer either.  At age 71 the aches and pains she was feeling seemed just like normal aging problems.”

He paused. Seemed ready to talk and then stopped again.

Finally, in a low voice, he added.  “My mother and I had a falling out about six years ago about something stupid.  We had a few minutes together and I apologized.  I’m sorry it had to take her almost dying to bring us together.  Thank you for helping us reconcile.” (he added quietly “I cried when we hugged after her surgery”)

He continued.  “She is in recovery now.  I’m going home for a while.  I think they might let you in to say hi - but very briefly.  She’ll have to be here a few days and then go to a rehab facility.  But,” (he paused and chuckled), “she is a tough old bird!”  

Jeff turned and went over to the Emergency Room Receptionist.  “Hi, I’m Jeff Bowen.  I’ve spent the afternoon waiting for my mother to come out of surgery.  I’m going home for a break.  Could you see if this lady could have a few minutes with her?” (pointing to me). “She is a close friend of the family and brought my mom in and has been waiting for about six hours

The receptionist took Jeff’s comments to heart - and looked over at me, one of four people left in the waiting room then looked back at Jeff and nodded.  “I’ll add her to the official visitation list”.

***

Julie was fairly well sedated when I got my five minutes with her.  I simply told her that I loved her and that her son was so happy they had made up - and then I left.  

***

At home, I sent the Fire Ants a note and Rhonda was going to pass it on to the Shooting Stars captain.

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It was a long road to recovery for Julie.  She told me that she had some aches and pains but she dismissed them.  It took the St. David’s hospital staff about 10 minutes to figure out she had stage four cancer and that they needed to attack that surgery immediately.  

She didn’t play again that year.  I visited her most Thursday afternoons after the Fire Ants Practices.  For her birthday, I took her to practice with me and the team warmly welcomed her.  I also drove her to her chemotherapy appointments.

*****

So, a minor Granny Down on the basketball court led to reconciliation and finding a stage four cancer.  

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So, yes, a Pollyanna Karen story.  But, this is based indirectly on a friend (MM) back in Connecticut - a talented flutist, music educator, church choir director - who driving home from a day in the classroom passed out and an advanced cancer was found.  As I write she is recovering nicely - but has lost a lot of her beautiful hair.

Friends take care of yourself - and take care of your friends, relations, and others that God puts into your life.  You have value - make the most of it!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen 

Saturday, February 5th, 2022