Safe and sound.....

In 1990-something, Hurricane Bertha hit the southeastern coast of the United States where my parents and I were vacationing. The state performed a mandatory evacuation of the area we were staying, about the same time I was to fly home. I did manage to get on a flight out, but my parents were to stay another few days longer -- which they did--despite the many efforts of the local authorities to clear the area. First the police came around with bullhorns telling everyone they must leave or face an uncertain future. Then the rental agencies contacted each tenant--including my folks--to tell them they must get out NOW. Finally, the sheriff's department came around, door-to-door, asking for people's next-of-kin in case they later found the bodies of those wishing to stay behind. My parents locked the door, and shut off the light. Because they would rather have died in the hurricane, than to face the unruly process of a mandatory evacuation.

And now I know why.

We are safe and sound, settled into Ogden, Utah with Rick's parents, and we are grateful to be here. Let's just say that if Rick and I hadn't already decided that Hannah Jane was to be an only child, that the "women-with-2-or-3-screaming-children-each" flight over would have settled that question for me. Don't get me wrong, I am really, really happy to have been safely delivered here --any way it had to happen. And I have to say the military and USO did a fabulous job of stream-lining the otherwise logistically-nightmarish process. I mean there was personnel all along the way to help us with baggage, childcare while we processed, food, and getting us to our overnight lodging in Seattle. I was impressed. And grateful. And now I'm hopefully on my way to health.

As soon as I landed, I called the doctor that Rick had connected with at Hill Air Force base here in Ogden, and was able to get in to see him the same day I landed. He in turn was able to quickly refer me to a pulmonologist that will be performing a brocoscopy tomorrow (Friday), that will hopefully reveal what I have and what I need to be cured. We've got Grandma and Grandpa here to help us, not to mention our Aunt and Uncle and cousin as well, so you see we're in good hands. Will hopefully have an answer before long about my lung infection -- will be sure to write an update once we know more.

Thanks again for all your notes, thoughts and prayers for us!
All for now, Mary