Troubles Come In Threes

What a weekend...

I have a cousin (who we'll call Primo for blogging purposes) who is only three years older than me... I adore him!! He is definitely one of my mentors/idols... he's bad-ass (boxer, hardcore martial artist, soldier), but he's also (conversely) one of the MOST laid-back, chill kind of people. He is so warm and accepting of people and their choices and their mistakes. He's fearless and unflappable. He's always upbeat and cheerful. He has always used his charm and humor to avoid getting in unnecessary fights... but he also never hesitated to put himself between us "kids" and any threat... be it from an abusive parent, boyfriend, or stranger on the street.

I have always looked up to him with the childlike perception that he was almost a superhero... indestructible.

I thought he was...

This weekend he was awakened from a deep sleep by severe chest pains (mind you that he's broken just about everything and thinks pain is no big deal!).

They rushed him, by ambulance, to the hospital and discovered that he had blood clots in his lungs ... OMG!!

My first thought was... God, he spent 18 months serving in Iraq near a pile of unknown rubbish that was always burning (literally)... what was he exposed to that gave him blood clots in his 30's?!?!

He was admitted immediately for a round of blood thinners and pain killers.

One of our aunties wanted to rush down to the hospital to see him in person and... bless her 71 yr old heart... took a nasty spill leaving the house and landed on her face and hand.

So... another cousin swooped her up into the car and rushed HER to a different hospital when they x-rayed and CT scanned her to see what she damaged (she has osteoarthritis... so the risk was pretty high!). Luckily for her, She broke her wrist and thrashed her face pretty badly. We all thought she probably broke her nose at the very least... but thankfully that wasn't the case.

Unfortunately, we had to ban her from going to see Primo so that she wouldn't be exposed to further hospital acquired infections. However, I talk to him every day and report to the family. Just like when he was in Iraq... I need to touch base with him to check on him and make sure he's okay. And, just like then, as soon as he's home safe and sound I'll be able to relax again.

Anyway... then we spent days tracking and preparing for Hurricane Flossie... gathering water, batteries, food stores, and blankets.

It is far enough south that it will probably only cause heavy rains and strong winds... and as long as I turn on my windshield wipers and stay out of the high surf then I'll probably be fine. Since I don't surf, I've already knocked out that possibility!!!

Given the high level of stress over the last four day... well, I just don't feel very witty.

So, that means I'm wrapping up yet another un-entertaining blog!!! Sorry 'bout that...

I'm gonna shake this off and get my head back on straight!!

Yeah, it's a little crooked.