Sometimes you have a day that seems like it will just never end.
As some of you know last week we received some bad news. Molly, Kim’s giant dork of a dog, was very sick. Over the next days of bad vet advise, emotional distress and frustration we focused on ways to help her. Then came Tuesday, the day that went on forever.
It started out with some hope from the vet. So we took Molly home and went out to do some running around. Suddenly two cars collided right in front of us and one was spinning upside down right at us. A moment before we were tired and a bit bleary eyed from lack of sleep. Now we were shocked into alertness. Kim was already out of the car less than a second after I stopped. Cell phone in one hand calling 911 and running towards the first car. Amazingly she can talk on the phone and pull someone out of the upside down car at the same time 🙂
By the time I got the truck sorted out so there would not be a second accident, Kim was off to the second car helping that person out of the car. I went to the upside down car and helped collect personal belongings and calm the first driver. She had run the red light and was just concerned about the other driver. I took her to sit down until police arrived.
Both people were relatively unhurt. We gave our statements to the police and did what else we could. An hour later we were able to get moving again. Once back in the truck we got to my house. Then I got a call that a friend of mine was dying. We had been in a comma for a week and they were pulling the plug that day. He is a guy that worked for my dad and I have known him for 15 years at least.
As you can imagine we were a bit edgy. This did not help. Now it was around 7 pm and we went to Kim’s. Molly was looking bad. We had to make some tough decisions about how far we would go to save her. At 11 PM Molly died. After saying our goodbyes we had to take the body somewhere. The first place I called wanted us to wait until 8:30 am. OK…people skills are not what these places understand. The seconds place was 30 minutes away and said to bring Molly right down. So I loaded her into the car and off we went. It was now 12:30 am.
After we dropped molly off we were driving home reminiscing about Molly and what a goofy ball of 80 pounds of love she was. As we were almost home I spotted a car off the road. It had smashed into a tree. For the second time today we were dialing 911. For the second time we launched into alertness from what can only be described as a numb stupor. We checked the car and there was blood on the seat but no one inside. While we waited for the police we began searching the woods and drove up and down the street. The police got there about 5 minutes later. After flagging them down we helped them search until a few more police cars got there. We checked to see that we were no longer needed for statements or anything then went home. It was now 2:00 AM. They still had not found anyone. It was most likely a drunk driver who fled the scene. It did not miss our attention that we were going the opposite direction on the very road just 45 minutes earlier…our day could have been much worse.
Kim cleaned up and began the task of taking Molly’s stuff and washing it because of the problems Molly was having before she died. She took the medicines away and cleaned up any sign of Molly’s death. It was hard bit she had a good reason. She told me that she was not trying to erase memories of Molly. She just did not want her memories to be focused on Molly dying. Kim is one smart lady.
Then we went through what most people do. The what ifs. What if we had noticed earlier. What if we went ahead with an operation. What if we took her to the emergency vet. What if..what if.. What if.. It was now 3:00 AM. Time for a long sleepless night.
I am not sure this article has any real point. Maybe it is that no matter what you are going through, life keeps happening. While you are tempted to crawl in a hole there are going to be things that happen that demand that you take action and participate. Maybe I just feel like venting it a bit.
Maybe I am saying that I know some of you out there are having a hard time right now. I am going to suggest that you avoid the temptation of crawling into a hole and pretending that the rest of the world is not happening. I know that is not always easy. The truth is that everyone has bad days. As bad days go, our was not the worst I ever heard of.
Maybe I am trying to say that even in the middle of some really bad days you can still do some good out there. You can still make a difference.
Maybe my point is that you just can’t control everything.
One last note. When Kim got those 2 women out of those 2 cars something interesting happened. When she got the first woman out that woman’s only concern was for the other driver. After she found out she was OK only then she said she was glad she was alone in the car so no one else would have been hurt. The 2nd woman was just grateful that her mother was not in the car with her. 2 people just starting their bad day and their first thoughts were of others. Maybe there is a lesson there as well.
Looking back on that long bad day. I am glad it is over but I also learned a lot about myself. No matter how bad things are I can still overcome my bad day to do the things that have to be done. Even if they are unpleasant. Yes we will always miss Molly. That stray dog with the bleeding front leg that we took in almost 7 years ago. She brought a lot of love into our lives. One thing is for sure. I won’t soon forget the day she died. It was a long bad day.
Take care
Tom
Hi Tom and Kim,
I just saw your email, I am sorry about Molly. Even on a bad day, you can be heroes, we need to follow your examples. I am glad you are OK, and were not involved in the accidents. Stay well!
Kerry
Hi Guys
I wasa diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma last Thursday and that may seem like a worrying matter but I worked as a nurse and I have access to the internet so I am pretty relaxed about it. Up to 6 weeks in hospital post op but that is the extent of the problem.
If all goes well I will have full eyesight in both eyes and my chance to get full health back. The pituitary is the master endocrine galnd and I had low cortisol so am now on cortisol tablets and that again is no biggie.
And as you happy readers also have access to the internet you can look up null active pituitary adenoma and the purpose and effects of cortisol.
No Problem
Bye
Martin
Yes she had the sweetest look in her eyes. Will miss u Molly ,I hope I was able to see you this year. Rest in peace.
Without making this negative,
im sorry for your loss.
As horrible days go, this one was a prize-winner. Congratulations on facing it head-on and on getting through it, and thanks for sharing it.
Tom, I know this doesn’t help much right now but Kim and you have been a huge inspiration to me for a long time now – ever since the seminar in London I think six years ago.
I’m very sorry to read about Molly but in a sort of a messed up way you probably did the right thing not to go on with the operation. We had a similar situation at home and my father, being a doctor, couldn’t let her go and treated her (our dog) for weeks – mostly with painkillers with hopes of her getting better.
It took the vet more than a month to convince my father that it’s time to let her go. That time was very stressful for all of us and the dog was probably suffering all that time, too.
Kim also did the right thing. We did the same and now, years from these events, we can look back on the times we spent with her with smiles on our faces, remembering all the goofy and funny things she used to do.
She’s in a better place now.
As for the rest of your day… wow, sometimes you can’t help but ask yourself: “Isn’t there someone out there playing with us occasionally?”
Again, my condolences and keep up the amazing work you two do!
Blaz
It could be construed as a long bad day or as a good day in which you had the oportunity to help many people and bring triumph over adversity. Was it not lucky that you where in the right place at the right time to help two RTA victims with good constructive help and not by some half brained idiot who would have added to the panic and mayhem. Yes a beloved friend died (the dog)but it had had a happy and extended life with Kim which it would not otherwise have had. We all go and cannot alway choose the time and place of passing but to be surounded by loved ones is always a blessing.
You had a life-time packed into one day but you came through it all with calmness and a confidence based upon what you teach all the time, as Gandi said you are never tested beyond what you are capable of handling. Keep the faith Tom.
Molly had this amazing ability to be loved no matter how dumb she was. I will miss her greatly!