babybloomr

Here’s the good news: I haven’t had any pain medication since 5:30 this morning.

That may not sound like a cause for rejoicing to you, but considering I have had enough narcotics in me to keep the population of a small country under-the-influence, it’s kind of a big hairy deal to me!

For the first time in waaaaaaay too many days I have been able to just take some Aleve and stay propped up with pillows and a heating pad and not be in a lot of pain– woo hoo!  There is actually other good news as well. I only had to be in the hospital a couple of days, the MRI did not show any disc damage, and I have had family and friends generously helping me out, so I don’t really have room to complain– especially in the face of what so many of my fellow Nashvillians have been going through.

Last week’s flood has forever changed this city, and there are many people who literally lost everything– their house, their cars, all of their possessions. Over 20 people lost their lives. There are many, many stories on the news of heroic rescues and valiant efforts by neighbors to help each other out. A crisis can truly bring out the best and the worst in people, and I am proud to be a longtime resident of this city that is showing such compassion and hands-on care for each other. It has been frustrating to be flat on my back in bed when there is so much to be done, but I can’t do anything about that– and when I AM up and around, I’m sure there will still be plenty of ways to help out.

I have been in contact with Betty’s family all week as they are preparing for her memorial service on Saturday. One of the hardest things to accept is that I am not going to be able to be there to honor her and to represent all of her friends here at the ‘Bloomr. I am going to be writing something that will be read at the service, and several of Russ’ songs will be played, but it is not the same as being there and that makes me feel very, very sad. I believe Momma Lloyd will be going, and I will be sure and report back to you guys after the service. The family has asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers, which would please our practical Betty, I am sure! I am making a donation on behalf of all of Betty’s Babybloomr family, so in some small way we will all participate in her memorial.

Last night Russ and the girls were part of a Gaither Homecoming taping– yes, I missed THAT, too!– and they said it was great fun and will make a good video. Apparently Bill had about a zillion different artists there, so there ought to be plenty of material there for a couple of videos.

Well, that’s about all of the news from Tori’s Bed. I’ll leave you with a few lovely memories from the hospital, and hopefully today is Day 1 of my trip back to normal– or what passes for normal around here. I actually haven’t been out of my room for so long that I’m a little afraid to see if Russ and the girls were able to stay on top of things, or if I’ll be facing Hell In A Handbasket-ville…  I’ll let you know!

A COUPLE OF THE MANY, MANY THINGS I DO NOT MISS ABOUT THE HOSPITAL…

AND AT THE TOP OF THE LIST..?

HOWEVER, it takes more than a stinkin’ pinched nerve to stop the blogging–

Dear ‘Bloomr family,

I am writing to ask you all for prayers for our beloved Betty. As you know, she had massive, landmark heart surgery after the first of the year, and against all odds has been fighting her way back, with various ups and downs. I have talked to her daughter Judy twice this morning, and things have taken a very serious turn for the worse. She is unconscious on a ventilator, with pneumonia and a sepsis bacterial infection all through her body. Her kidneys have failed and she has been on dialysis for weeks now, but this recent turn of events has been critical. Momma Lloyd and LindaB are just two of the many readers here who are dear friends with Betty, and our hearts are hurting. Please join us in praying for God’s will for her life, and if this is her time to go that it will be a gentle crossing. Betty is an extraordinary woman, crackling with energy and passion, scrappy, intelligent and loving, and the biggest fan of Southern gospel music (and especially Russ) I have ever met. Here are a couple of pictures of her sweet face, so you will know who you are praying for.

Thank you for being the kind of readers that I can turn to in a time like this. I love you all– and Betty does, too.

I’ll keep you posted.

Dearest G-netters,
We lost our Betty tonight. Russ and I join with all of you who loved her and will miss her inimitable spirit, fire, compassion and friendship. She was a pistol– I’m so glad we got to enjoy her as long as we did!
Godspeed, sweetest Betty. I bet by now you’ve elbowed your way to the front row of the best gospel concert heaven has to offer– hope you’re ready to work Russ’ table again when he gets there!
See you at at the house, dear friend.
With all of our love, Russ and Tori