Posted by Bob Kipple (12.77.217.134) on July 29, 1999 at 17:28:04:
Wednesday, July 21:
Rochester. Walking up the ramp to the waiting area, the butterflies in my stomach are furious. No one was there to greet us and we were getting the feeling that we'd been stood up. Turned out someone took a wrong turn. I had never met Dave or Elaine but the recognition was instantaneous. It was nanoseconds and we were all long lost friends. Dave's two darling daughters, Megan and Sara were there as was Elaine's lovely daughter and supporter, Heather. We set off for the hotel as one big happy family. Elaine told me Dave was jealous because she got a longer hug than he but hey, I don't usually hug hairy legged people. Later, burgers, hotdogs and other great chow at Daves and we got to meet Dave's wife, Laurie. The lady is a saint and a rock. Thank you so very much again, Laurie for putting up with all of us. Later, smoking sessions in the garage, CH talk and speaker phone. The only adult that did not smoke was Heather so the garage was our meeting hall.
Thursday, July 22:
After lunch, we met again at Dave's, had dinner at a great steakhouse and reconvened in the meeting hall. More speaker phone, CH talk and quality conversation. Yeah, we did talk about things oter than CH.
Friday, July 23:
Todd arrives and is in Elaine's room with Dave and co. Some feelings of apprehension are quickly erased when we meet; more hugs and handshakes. Todd is the most organized man on this planet, probably the universe. Barb D was to arrive later but her flight from hell was canceled and she had to spend the night in Chicago. After lunch we met again at the meeting hall, got to see the videos of Dave's and Todd's CH tv interviews. I'm still trying to screw up my courage to do one. After some great chow, more speaker phone, OUCH and CH discussions.
Saturday, July 24:
Barb D finally arrives and is at the check in counter at the hotel. I came up behind her, put my hands on her shoulders and said "Hi mom.". "Kip." she said and you'd have thought we were brother and sister. Back at the meeting hall that afternoon, Kathy and Peter arrived. Bernie tried to make it also but had the terrible misfortune that she posted earlier. So very sorry Bernie. With so many people talking and my bad hearing, I must have appeared like a snob. Sorry gang and yeah, they make hearing aids. Maybe by Vegas 2000 I'll have one. Later that night, Barb looked at me and saw the look she had seen so many times in the mirror. I think it scared her and she knew what was coming. We piled into Daves car and got back to the hotel ASAP and I took the beast for a walk, a solid 7 hitting 8 at times. Now I can add Rochester to the list of cities where I've paced the streets.
Sunday, July 25:
It was around 3:00 and Laurie, Elaine and company had just returned from a shopping trip. Judy and I were working on bloody Marys and the the topic was a late lunch. I was talking to Barb and turned to Judy just as her eyes rolled back and her arms went rigid. I thought she may have choked and by the time I got to her she was unconscious and not breathing. Dave dialed 911 and Barb, Elaine and I got her on her feet. After several Heimlich thrusts she was slipping out of my grasp, still unconscious and her lips had turned black. I was losing the only love I had ever known. In desperation, I reached betweent her legs to pull her up (thus was born the "Crotchlift Maneuver", not recommended for guys), got another Heimlich thrust and she moaned. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. We had her breathing and semi-coherent by the time the EMTs got there. One thing she was asked was "Are you in pain?". Her reply, "I have a headache.". Barb and I spent the rest of the day at the ER with her and the four remaining clusterheads finally got ot eat at 10:00 PM. Thank you for the meal Mom, I never did properly thank you.
Monday, July 26:
Back to the ER. I ran into Dr. Christianson who had admitted her. He was very busy but took time to answer some questions. After the necessary questions about Judy were done, I asked him one more. "Doctor, if I came to your ER with a CH, what would you do?" "100% O2 and if that didn't work start narcotics." was his reply. Dave added that narcs don't work for us but the good doc quickly explained that he meant drugs that work for CH. Totaly cool, an ER doc that knows CH. They never did find anything wrong with Judy.
Tuesday, July 27:
Departure day, one day late. Elaine drove Barb, Judy and me to the airport. Some big hugs, some tears and Elaine was off to continue her trek. The rest of us stood curbside and talked and smoked. I don't think any of us wanted to part but it was getting near flight time and we needed to check in. More hugs and damp eyes and Rochester 99 was now many fond memories.
Laurie and Dave, thank you so much again for you hospitality and thank you Elaine, Heather, Todd, Barb, Kathy and Peter for being there. It was something I'll never forget.
Support OUCH, zeroes for all.
Kip