Hello, MM family! [smiley=wave.gif]

Ok, I need my hand held!

My girls are both at a sleepover party tonight - the first official night away from home since their surgeries!!  Mind you, it's been 3 years for Cassie and 2 1/2 years for Kate, and they're doing great!  It's me that's having a hard time!

And, to make things worse, my husband took my son and I out for dinner after we dropped off the girls, to try and distract me from worrying.  We weren't gone a half hour and my cell phone rang - the girls were outside playing and someone stepped on a bees nest - both of my girls got stung 4 times!!  See what happens when I let them go?

Don't worry, they're still there - but I'm on my second glass of wine! [smiley=me&mb.gif]  I went over with a container of Adolph's meat tenderizer ( a wive's tale, maybe, but my mom was a nurse and we grew up in the woods, and she swore by it!) - made a paste, treated the stings on 4 girls, my own included, and then DROVE HOME!!  Fighting the urge to turn around and bring them with me the whole way.

I know - I have to let them start doing things more independently, but MAN, I'm not sure my nerves can take it!!   I need a pep talk, some reassurance, SOMEONE HOLD MY HAND, PLEASE!! [smiley=eek.gif]

It's 9 pm, and I haven't gotten the "Come get me" phone call yet, so that must be a good sign.  Maybe they'll make it through the night!! (Don't worry, Stephen's not having any wine, just in case the call does come).  Do you think I'll make it through the night?

Help!!!!!!!!!!!! :'(

Thanks, Friends!  

Love ya bunches! [smiley=heart.gif] [smiley=winkkiss.gif]
[smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]
Kristen

Hi Kristen

I know waiting is never easy...but wine or beer sure helps.  I am sure the waiting is over and all that is behind along with the bee stings.  You have to admit it is a cute story about the first night away.

Janice

Kristen,

Oh, that first time is so hard!  I'll wager a bet that the girls did just fine . . . did you have a sleepless night, though?  I'd love to hear how it all came out, despite the bee stings!  

Sorry I didn't see your post last night - I would've offered some moral support, but it sounds like maybe the wine helped a little bit (you go, girl!!! [smiley=me&mb.gif])

Let us know . . .

[smiley=hug.gif] Jill

Janice and Jill,

Thanks so much for your encouragement.  Believe it or not, there's another episode to this soap opera.  The "come get me" call did come at midnight, but only from Cassie, Kate was  out like a light, oblivious to her sister's distress.!  My husband went and got her, and truth be told, I slept a bit better after that!  Cassie went back to the party this morning, to have breakfast with the girls and hang out until 11:00 am.  (My husband tells me that two other girls went home, too, so I didn't feel so bad, like I had influenced her to come home subconciously!!)

HOWEVER,  although Kate survived the night, the birthday girl's mom had to take a TIC off of Kate's back this morning!!  So, do you think it's a sign?   ::)

Anyway, both girls are happy, they had a blast, and I'm still here - a few more gray hairs later, and man what a headache............... [smiley=wink2.gif]

Boy, I hope the next invitation doesn't come too soon!!

Thanks for your help! [smiley=hug.gif]
Kristen

 Kristin,I'm really glad you made it through this stressful time.I've so been there.Not with kathleen yet but Kelly tried a a few timea at sleepovers but until she was probably about 15 or 16 she never made it through the night.It's just sooooo hard,every small step at letting go.Kathleen is in 3rd grade and so many times durring the day I look at the clock and wonder how her day is,and what she's doing.By about 2 o'clock I'm jsut killing time till I can go get her.Today is a holiday and I jsut love having that extra day with her at home.Don't feel so bad aobut the worrying,my older kids just laugh at me now and kind of "humor me" aobut my worrying. Sorry I didn't see this when you needed your hand held but I'm glad you made it!
Mary Grace

Hi Kristin,

As a mother I can relate to letting your child(ren) go away for a night and especially after surgeries for something like MM.  However, Kevin, my brother, is 49 and I won't let him go anywhere and especially overnight unless I have phone numbers an itenary etc. It must be that mother instinct. LOL!   I just believe when one has been through what MMers go through it is tough to let go. I like you have had a glass of wine or two. At one point, I threatened to drink my way up and down the Nappa valley. LOL!

I'm glad to hear you managed to let the girls stay overnight even with bee stings. That had to be tough on you and I'm glad you stuck it out. The girls survived and it's ok even if Cassie did come home at midnight. They key here is she went back in the morning. I'm sure your girls thank you for letting them venture out and socialize and be as normal as possible and I'm sure they know you are only a phone call away. If necessary, keep drinking wine and let them have their fun. You are obviously a very good mother. The key here is mother not SMOTHER. LOL! I'm speaking from experience here and I now have two granddaughters that I tend to over protect. I think it is only natural but I also realize that I can't always be there nor do they want me to always be there so I have to trust that things will be ok.

Once a mother, always a mother. We never really let go.

Glad you all got through this first night away.

Hugs,

Lore

Kristen -

Wow, it is really difficult to let them go, especially the first time.  After we go back from Kate's surgery, she wanted to go back up to OSU and stay with her friends TWO DAYS AFTER WE GOT BACK !!!!!  We did go up three days after and stayed with her for five, telling everyone of her friends there what to watch for and what to do in the event of a TIA, etc.  Then we met with her doctor there.  Finally we figured we had done all we could and we drove back to Dallas.  As I told Jill, I cried all the way back and called her three times.  

But you are right.  You have to let go some.  Thankfully, we are all here for each other.

Love and hugs,

Cass and Kate

Kristen,
   I'm sorry that you had such a difficult time.My daughter is only 4 but I know how hard it is to let them go away esp. after all they have been through.Paige will start school next year and I really dread it.I've always stayed at home with her because of all of her medical problems and she just had her surgery last month.I know I will be a nervous wreck when she does start school.I'll probably need all of you to help me through it.I'm glad your girls still had a good time despite the bee stings and that you survived. :D
  I have always been told that I should just put Paige in a bubble but I can't help being overprotective.I feel like she's been through enough(as I'm sure you feel about your own girls)and I don't want her to go through more than she has to.I hope that their next stay away from home goes more smoothly for them and for you.Take care.

Jennifer

Hi, everyone!

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond, but I did read your messages the day you wrote them.  You don't know how much it helped!!

I have two older sisters who both have kids, and tons of friends who have kids, but noone who has kids with the  medical issues that our kids have.  They don't get it, and when I tell them things like I told you, I get the raised eyebrow, head shake with.."C'mon, you're overreacting!"  It was so good to hear that you understand, and have been there, and don't think I'm crazy! (well, at least not for that, anyway!  ;))

I don't know what I'd do without all of you.  Is it time for the next reunion, yet?  Won't some of you come up to New England to visit?  It's lovely up here, especially with all of the foliage right now!  Our doors are always open, and we'd love to have you!  Otherwise, we'll keep counting the days to San Antonio!!

Love you guys! [smiley=hug.gif]
Kristen

Hi Kristen  :D I just wanted to Hold Your Hand Two ;) Since my kids are All Grown Up and it has been a LONG time since I experenced (that first night away from home) It was my Oldest sons first night sleeping over at Grandma's when he was almost 14 months old ::) and I was due anyday with my second child and it was a trial run,,,,,,,I couldn't sleep at all (and mine son didn't have brain surgery)OR I am not sure I could have let him stay away from me......Of course I did have have to stay 2 days in the hospital with Daughter Tammy born 14 months to the day after Michael......Believe me it DOES get eaiser,,,,,,,GOOD LUCK,,,,,,,,,,,Elaine