First of all, thank you for the incredibly amusing comment thread on the previous post. The consensus is 36 instead of 6 in the numerator and + instead of – in the denominator and we seem to be good to go.
Now on to the subject of this post.
On Saturday Kid 1 had a birthday party. It was superfun, it was Playboy-themed, and it was held in a gym owned by her friend’s parents. One of the people at the party was bipolar. Everyone knew this, but nobody had actually witnessed it before.
Everyone present was an adult, and they had beer pong, and a silly bike competition, and dancing. Out of nowhere the person in question jumped up, flipped over the birthday cake, and started screaming obscenities. Everybody was terribly disturbed, the party was ruined, the mess was cleaned, and the person’s mom arrived in the middle of the night to take her home.
The kids were shook up enough to stay an extra day in a hotel room in Austin, because neither one of them wanted to chance driving. Witnessing genuine mental illness, especially when it becomes a violent episode, can be profoundly disturbing. Luckily nobody was hurt.
On Sunday our orange cat Tuna, who is beloved by everyone in the family, sprawled on my desk. I went to pet her and saw a gaping bloody wound on her thigh. A chunk of skin about the size of a dollar coin had disappeared. No idea how it happened. She is a rescue cat, so she does make occasional trips outside, and we think she might have tangled with a raccoon.
It’s Easter Sunday. Everyone is closed. We find an emergency vet, we drive her over there, we wait for three hours, they look at it, find no signs of infection, and tell us to go home, be cause they have a dog with a toothpick stuck in his throat and a dog who ate a bottle of tylenol and Tuna’s wound isn’t severe. Sitting in ER vet was awful. People are coming in with their pets and just bawling. In the end I wanted to cry just out of empathy.
We ended up coming back at 10 pm at night to get Tuna. She is in good spirits and we are having hard time keeping her cone of shame on her. Her leg is shaved and she is very perplexed by this development. She is on house arrest until further notice. It’s taken supernatural vigilance to keep her inside. She’d even managed to escape at the vet. Seriously, we’re sitting in the room waiting for them to bring her back and we hear, “Billy, the kitty!” There is a sound of commotion and then in comes Billy, who was six foot tall and built like a knight looking for some armor carrying self-satisfied Tuna.
Today, while at the gym, I received a frantic phone call from Kid 1. She was driving to her coding boot camp in Austin through heavy traffic. It was raining. A small convertible changed lanes in front of her. She had a choice to hit the convertible with her large vehicle or go off the road. She went off the road on the grassy shoulder. The grass was slick, the shoulder was sloped, and she nearly rolled over. She is fine, but she was terribly shook up. It was frightening and awful. Fortunately, she made it to campus safe.
That’s three, right? Three bad things. I am very ready for it to fix itself now. Something good needs to happen.
Chris says
Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. Everything else shakes out.
What a scary weekend!
Meryl Markowitz says
((((Hugs))))))
Sarah says
+1
Lara says
+1
Kristi says
((((Hugs))))
Breann says
+1 (insert hug emoji that I refuse to use because it looks like jazz hands, not a hug)
Rachel says
Just because… we call it the grabbing the boobies emoji.
Breann says
??
Leena says
Freakin hilarious ?
Shannon says
I agree, bad things comes in 3s, you’re all done! that is a horrible weekend!
William B says
You should be fine now.
MaryW says
Some thing good did happen. Your daughter was scared but unhurt. She made the right choice instantly. Be proud of her.
Tyger says
Agreed! Correct choice in crisis situation = is proud parent moment. So glad everyone is ok! Hugs!!
Jillian says
Yes three bad things. Here’s the good things: the mental health episode didn’t result in anyone getting hurt and (I assume) the girl is getting the care she needs. Tuna’s Wound wasn’t severe and she’s going to be ok(spunky too!). Kid 1 did NOT roll over (thank goodness). And made it safely to her destination. You are really very lucky! Scary stuff but you’re coming out golden!
Alex R. says
Exactly. Three bad, but could have been truly devastatingly, things. Not that any of those weren’t traumatic. Or awful. But thank goodness it wasn’t worse.
That said, yes. It needs to be done. And over. And get better.
Also, I like run on sentences. ? sigh.
Pam says
+1 run on sentences are terrific, and so fun, and umm, never mind. So glad the 3 are done.
Judy says
Golden is right when you think of other scenarios. Some good decisions definitely. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Ilona says
That’s a good way to look at it. 😀
Laura says
I work in healthcare… we tend to superstitiously think about rule of 3’s… specifically for the bad stuff. Hopefully you have all done your time for this interval!
Keera says
Hopefully its all done now. Tuna must be a lively little kitty if she is injured and still mischievous!
Sam says
I’m a big believer in the bad things rule of three. I am currently waiting for the third thing to drop for me right now. In the last month my lawn mower broke and then the pump on my well. So now I am dreading what the third thing to break will be. I am really glad your three things, though scary, turned out well. Sending you my positive thoughts.
Jean says
Holy Hannah!!
First Things First: your kids are ok. You will always have the Mom reaction because you are their mom.
Thank God for vet ERs – some of the most amazing trauma teams ever. Glad Tuna is feeling better. Cone thing = challenge to most cats, it’s part of their Houdini genetics.
Camomile or peppermint tea and a nap for Mom!!
Gloria Magid says
Wow! Repeating what everyone else is saying – everyone including kitty is OK, and although it was a scary time, you are hopefully done for a while given the rule of three. Also, be proud of your daughter, who made the right driving decision. That’s hard to do spur of the moment. Really glad everyone is safe.
Claire M says
Yikes!! That’s a hell of a weekend.
Very happy to hear no serious damage to Kid 1 or Tuna.
Having worked as a animal care assistant in an emergency vet hospital, I can say it is not always that bad! But yes, when it’s one of those nights, it’s awful.
Jenn says
Whew, 3 traumatic events, all close calls…. I’m all for something good next!! I hear Avengers Endgame is pretty awesome. Not sure if Marvel is your thing though… take care and lots of love to Tuna’s healing and liberation from the cone of shame…
Tink says
That cone of shame looks more like a tree skirt than a cone. Add a bit more padding and she’ll look like Queen Elizabeth with her ruffle collar.
Karen says
Lol that’s awesome!
Patricia Schlorke says
Queen Tuna! Her Royal Highness of cats. 😀
Caroljay86 says
AAhhh, I also have experienced an encounter with mental illness. It wasn’t violent, precisely (…and thankfully…), yet it WAS disturbing. About 25 or 26 years ago (in college), I went on a Spring Break trip to the Oregon Coast. It was beautiful: We went to the Oregon Dunes, to sea an estuary, and to a local Lab studying all things Oceanographic. The trip was planned and organized by the Biology Club associated with my school. One of our members that year was an individual with issues – no, make that “ISSUES.” Emotional issues. One night, we sat around the campfire, and we argued, debated, and discussed topics of the day. One minute, a fun round-robin of topics, the next, all hell broke loose. The person over-reacted, to something that reminded her of previous family trauma. She stood up, screamed, and had a powerful meltdown. Several of us took her aside, comforted her, and worked on calming her down. Eventually, our attempts did succeed, and we tried to get back to normal. However, just as with Kid No. 1, the mood was shattered, and the evening ended on a sad note.
Trauma, especially emotional trauma, can be disturbing to endure, even from the prospect of observing it in another person. I have developed a great deal of respect for people who work with mental illness on a daily basis.
Irishmadchen says
Say thanks to the powers that be. Glad it shook out like it did even if everyone got shook up (and in Tuna’s case – a new battle scar.) May good fortune come your way.
RJ Blain says
Best wishes, and I laughed so hard with everyone else on the math post. (My math is one, more than one… and I so admire you for even trying to tackle the math.)
Feel better soon, Tuna!
Alico says
Glad to hear Kid1 had good instincts and didn’t have any injuries.
We just removed the Cone of Shame from our Maltipoo. Our (now former) groomer give him an inch long laceration and he had to get stitches and wear the CoS for 2 weeks. ?♀️ This too shall pass. Meanwhile, you get to enjoy the hilarious adventures of Tuna with the Cone of Shame! ?
Too bad the party was disrupted. But I hope Kid1’s community of friends are able to reach out and support the friend with bipolar. I can’t imagine how hard it must be have this condition and be re-traumatized each time that happens. It would be great if she had a supportive community that wouldn’t hold it against her. Times like these are when you realize who your real friends are. ??
Gretchen says
You’re so right, and thank you for bringing up the other side of the story. It must have been very upsetting to Kid One, since it was her birthday party that was ruined. It warms my heart that she would even invite the bipolar friend. On the other hand, I can’t imagine the horror that friend felt when they were themselves again, and realized what they’d done. They’re lucky to have a friend like Kid One.
Ilona says
You know, apparently she came out of it while they – the kids and her mother – were scrubbing the cake off the floor. She walked up to Kid 2 and in a completely normal voice, as if she hadn’t physically threatened her 20 minutes ago, said, “Awww, you’re such a good sister for helping out.” Freaked everyone out for the second time.
Alico says
Lol! ???? Sigh. Poor awkward friend. I hope everyone can look back at all this in the near future and laugh about it together. ???
Sary says
3 incidents that could have ended Horribly. No one died. I call that a win!
Monika says
As a fellow cat slave I know that cat emergecies only happen on Sundays, on holidays or after hours, never when vets are really open. It’s like a cosmic law. Luckily I have a 24h vet clinic not far away, and though they charge a hundred bucks to open the door, I at least have the comfort of knowing where to go if (or rather when) something happens…
Tink says
Cat slave. {snicker}
Stacy says
I’m so sorry. I definitely believe that bad things come in 3s. My Mom is Bipolar and stopped treatment 7 years ago when my step-dad died and the government switched her from ssi disability (treatment was required) to his social security check (no treatment required). She refused to accept her diagnosis and it’s gone very downhill since then to the point that I’ve went No Contact. I hope that girl is getting the help she needs.
Ilona says
If it was anything like what happened at the party, I understand. :hug: And I am sorry.
Stacy says
Thank you. It’s much worse and has been since I was little but you can’t force help for someone who doesn’t believe they have a problem. I’m much more at peace since I cut contact. My kids have been through too much.
Gailk says
Yea , my cat Cello has had 2 emergencies on December30th. And my vet was closed, so had to call around to find someplace to go. And since he was a new patient, they did every test under the sun. Both times it cost over a thousand dollars. For minor problems.
It was very scary, expensive and thank God , Cello is fine.
But yikes, hate emergencies with pets, they can’t tell you how bad and you always think the worst.
So glad Kid I is Ok. She had an emergency and she handled it correctly. But it shakes you up.
Just breathe, walk a dog, and have some tea.
The terrible threes should be over.
Drew says
I hate to say it, but the universe is random. Shit happens, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.
Really glad you and family survived the weekend. Hope the week goes better.
Diane Drayson says
Well done to Kid 1! She was alert enough to know she had a choice. She was sacrificial enough to take a risk to herself rather than definitely hit someone else. She was a great driver and kept the car (and therefore herself!) in one piece.
I feel anger at the other driver who caused that problem and possibly drove away without even realising the potential damage to your child. That’s a whole other issue but you definitely need to have that chat and let your kid know that the other driver did the wrong thing and got off with no consequences while your child was put in a harrowing situation. She is allowed to feel anger at that driver and she is allowed to express it now that she is in a safe place!
HeatherLangston says
Super glad there was no rollover, positive thoughts for quick feline healing! One of my ferrets recently ate something (no idea what or how she got it) and that ended up being a very expensive two day vet saga, and thankfully no surgery. I don’t have biological children, but I can understand that fur baby stress.
On the mental health episode- I’m sad that you’re kids witnessed this, but based on what I’ve read in other posts you’ve shared, I have no doubt that you supported your kids superbly. Its hard to explain and scary to live with, but its a part of life sometimes.
Hang in there, I’m sending loads of positive thoughts your way.
Aggiereader says
Can Kid1 drink yet? Because if so she has earned a whole wine bottle to herself.
Also, I feel like you are experiencing some serious Mom Life right now.
Ilona says
She is 23. 🙂 She came home today and drank a Budlight Lime. We have a well stocked bar, but apparently Budlight Lime was what was needed.
LeaAnn Layne says
I suspect a coyote was after your cat. I use to live in San Marcos, TX and I can safely say Coyotes are all over TX. During puppy season they come in and hunt cats in the neighborhoods. We had to stop letting our cats go outside. That was not a fun transition.
CeciM says
We had problems with owls in Tucson – they seemed to prefer cats to bunny rabbits. We never let our cats out there, except they were escape artists. The one with survival skills would hide in a bush the whole time until she had proven her bravery and then come home. The clueless wonder would wander until she got tired and start crying for us to come get here. She was hanging out in washes under cacti and palo verde trees where we have taken pictures of rattlesnakes and javelinas. We got to know our neighbors because of her because she also liked to “rest” on their roofs, and then her noise would get everyone out trying to figure out what animal was dying, until we’d show up and ask to borrow their ladder.
How can you tell a cat slave? They usually leave or enter a doorway sideways with one of the the legs kicking ahead.
barbie doll says
Off topic how much longer is the coding camp for the kid? My son drives a Viper and we got a call that he got cut off and slammed on the brakes. My first question is anyone hurt? Second question how is the car. He braked so hard almost all the tread came off the tires. He was able to get home but was rather upset. It is much scarier to be the parent of adult children. I am glad that the three things were survivable. Take care of yourself. You may need to up the amount of hair dye after this type of weekend.
Ilona says
She goes every day 8:00 to 2:30, I think, and then does homework until she falls asleep. I think the course let’s out on May 15th.
Colleen C. says
Three and done! 2019 has been pretty bad for so many people it’s like some kind of sucky universal karmic event.
jasmine scott says
Three things that could have happened. Friend could have hurt someone or themselves. Cat could have had a bad infection, and last, but not least. Kid1 could have seriously been injured.
So bright side. These didn’t happen.
GayLeeB says
I hope that “3 Bad Things” works out for you and your family. It hasn’t for mine.
And as the parent of a kid, now adult, with bipolar disorder, I wish it could have been different for all involved. Good control of mood state takes years of work, and first the person must be both willing and determined to get there. My kid is one of these folks, and I’m so proud of her.
Jen says
My cat is also in the cone of shame and an expert at escaping it. Because she is so good at escaping her cone, she gets to spend the night at the vet after tearing out the stitches in her ear.
(Her ear is infected as well and needs an additional procedure to the ear resection she had last week. Yay ?)
Jennifer says
Ouch. Poor baby
Kris says
OMG! Look at it this way, everyone is alive and while a bit shook up…everyone is still kicking. So any day going forward without craziness is a good day!
Jane says
I think you can relax for the rest of the year. Your 3 things have come and gone.
DianaInCa says
Glad that everything went as well as it could. Hopefully you will have a break for awhile. Funny, how 3 is the magic number
ChrisP says
How awful! My sympathies to all involved.
I think you’re right about the 3’s, though. It might be time to run out and get a Lotto ticket.
Ali says
Regarding Tuna the cat and the cone. You could take an example from Nora Roberts book ” the obsession” There is an incident with a “cone of shame” that is solved by the “pants of humiliation” of course this was a dog so it might not work with Tuna. Apparently handling gym shorts duct taped on is better than the cone of shame. good luck
Ami says
Oy. Vey. I’m so glad there’s hopefully no lasting damage from any of the events but I would definitely be ready for a break. So glad she didn’t flip the car! Good luck w the cat and I hope the friend is able to get the help they need to get and stay stable.
Kay G says
Speaking as a person who lives with bipolar, I appreciate the empathy you have for this young person. It can take a lot of time and effort to find the right balance of medications and therapy. It’s harder for some than others. Even when you are pretty stable, you spend a lot of time questioning what is “normal” and what isn’t. It took me years to find my balance and be comfortable with it.
Ilona says
It must have been a long and difficult journey. I’m sorry that it was so difficult. I hope that, as you say, you found a way to be comfortable.
Elise Logan says
That’s a lot. I’m sending peace, tranquility, and almost-boredom vibes your way.
Martha says
I am sorry to hear about your events. One side note. You can try the outfit instead of the cone of shame. They make them with legs too. This one makes me laugh because he has butt cheeks. It’s the little things.
Tink says
A little bit higher and they’d qualify as Daisy Dukes.
Carolyn says
Poor little Tuna is just trying to keep Gordon safe from those outside pests, now she’s stuck in the satellite dish of shame!! Thank Goodness everyone’s OK, sounds like a great night for hugs all around.
Tiffany Crystal says
I think this past week was just hell for everyone. We’re in the DFW so we had that hail storm come through (well, it tried to be a hail storm, anyway) on Wednesday. Thursday, Kid 2 came from school. Caught a stomach bug. I spent the day cleaning the loveseat, carpet, bathroom floor/walls/cabinets, etc.. Monday, both roommates and Kid 1 were home with the same stomach bug. Yesterday was “hose the house down in Lysol” day. Then, last night was that second round of bad storms came through. I’ve had days where one of my eyes would start twitching, but yesterday, BOTH of my eyes were doing it. I didn’t even know that was *possible*.
I’m supposed to be writing today, but sometimes you just have to take a break. Tomorrow will just have to be catch up day.
Demi says
It seems to be a universal rule that bad things happen thrice in a row.
Now you should be safe for a while.
I send you hugs *heart*
Jukebox says
Here’s some great news:
I volunteer as a foster parent for a no-kill shelter at Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City,CA (as in, they will save ANY cat, regardless of illness or ‘anti-socialness’).
Great news #1: There are currently more fosters and adopters than there are kittens this kitten season and #2: They’ve actually embarked on a mission to save 50 kitties from the 120F weather from Kuwait, no less. How ’bout that?
https://www.ninelivesfoundation.org/kuwaiti-kitties
Sekimori says
This is relevant. Also, hilarious.
https://imgur.com/gallery/YFxMU2o
EarlineM says
??? Go forth and shirteth thy kitten!
MacGrani says
Bipolar is a hard one. Not only are they chemically imbalanced they are usually very smart as well. Been dealing with my husband’s sister in law for the last 40 years. The tears, compulsive talking, touching, shopping and of course the VERY dramatic reactions to things. She has ruined more than one family meal. When they go off their meds the swings are even more dramatic. They are not supposed to drink. You can’t reason with them or talk them down. Logic no longer applies.
Cats, as the former servant for eight demanding fuzz balls they never get injured during the week. Our last unaltered male (he was scheduled) was bit in his nuts on a Saturday night. He survived (sans nuts) but my husband did walk funny while carrying him.
I’ve had that phone call “Mom? I’ve been in an accident” It’s been 12 years since that call and my heart still stutters. Sending mommy hugs your way.
I’m glad your “three” are done! Now it’s time for three blessings!
kommiesmom says
Oh, honey – so hard on you and on Kid 1, too. (Isn’t Tuna originally hers?) She’s had three (?) traumatic events, also. You and she could try to celebrate her “survival” with something you both like. Gordon could be in on it, even. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse for many hugs – and perhaps a favorite dish –
(Virtual hugs from Houston.)
Feel better, please.
Bibliovore says
Good thought and additional
(((((HUGS))))). Things happened but ended well. Except maybe Tuna, who should recover despite the Cos.
Patricia Schlorke says
Whoa…what a week.
I had a friend who had bipolar (use to be called manic-depressive) when I was at a community college. She was getting treatment while going to school. When she saw me, and I had time, I would listen to her and encourage her. She had very bad depression to the point she tried to take her life. When she was in her manic period, she wouldn’t sleep. One day, she told me she was going into the hospital to get further treatment. I looked at her and said “I hope it helps”. The very last day I saw her, she told me “I want to thank you.” I said “For what?” She said “For listening to me. You are a good friend.” I just looked at her and wished her all the best. I never saw her again.
Christina says
Wow! I thought that kind of stuff only happened to my family. So glad the final results came out okay. Group hugs for everybody!
Kristie says
Sorry to hear about the young woman. It must be incredibly hard for she and her family. Glad to hear Kid 1 is fine although shaken up. That’s stressful for everyone.
As for the cat..this might help. You can make them yourself, cheap. Hope the week gets better!
Alice Brown says
Hey, did that tube sock thing actually keep kitty from getting at an incision? From the pix, it looks, well, too narrow to keep a cat from getting at their back leg.
Lisa B. says
I am so glad that all of you are okay. What a weekend! ?
Ista in Sydney says
I’m so glad the car didn’t roll and your kid wasn’t injured (being that close to it is distressing enough).
Tuna must have mad skills, one of my friends found that a baby onesie was more effective than a cone of shame for her cat.
Vicki says
What an ingenious idea, We have two cats and I am sure this tip will come In handy at some point in the future. So sorry kids and tuna had such a trying time. Hope everything is better for all.
Sharon says
What a shocker.
Sorry Kid 1 was involved in two of the three and hope she is okay mentally and emotionally – but making the choice to possibly take on harm instead of damaging someone else? Super proud parent moment I am guessing.
Hoping Kid 2 is okay too and I feel for that poor bi-polar child – I hope her friends won’t desert her.
Glad Tuna got the help and remains a cheeky cat.
Fingers crossed that’s it. You have had more than your share! Hugs n stuff ?
Jennifer says
Can you imagine Maud’s Helen with Tuna? I can only imagine the adventures?
Kim says
How terribly frightening for everyone involved, particularly that poor bipolar woman. I hope the others can react with compassion. I had to pick my daughter up early today because she had an anxiety attack and bolted for the parking lot. She’s 9, so not quite as violent, but still – her brain broke and she had zero control and when it was over she was distraught and embarrassed.
Fingers crossed, nothing but good times ahead.
Leena says
Whew! Glad everyone is ok. Seeing a mental health episode can be shaking and always seems to underscore that we need more help and better conversations about the issue.
I remember how much trouble my AnnieCat had a couple years ago with her cone of shame. She had been attacked by some toms in the area and developed an abscess from a scratch or bite. Poor thing had to have her chest shaved and drain holes etc. The look of betrayal and shame when I wouldn’t take off the cone!
Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for your poppet.
Now the 3rd thing is done, time for some chill.
Duffi says
Oh folks, that’s a lot! You’ve completed your three; may it be smooth sailing for at least a while.
Kid 1 needs something extra for having been such a thoughtful driver.
❤️
Kimberley says
I’m so sorry your little people had to witness such a tragic event. Bi polar is such a difficult mental health issue. I hope everyone there shows her the love they have for her when she resurfaces. It’s hard, it’s Crappy, and scary. As a parent of an adult children with Bi polar I can only pray she has love and support around her.
Sending peace light and love ?
Karen the Griffmom says
My adult daughter currently has a handle on her bipolar/ADD. It’s been a long 25 years. Hugs to you and your child.
Marianne says
You have definitely had your trouble in a group of three!! Karma, now it is time for a group of three good things. Right?! The silver lining is that no one was severely injured. Emotional pain and upset can be as bad or worse than a physical injury. I am sorry that young lady had to debut an instance of severe bipolar during kid 1’s birthday party, and upset everybody and put an damper on the festivities. I hope that this doesn’t have a negative impact on their friendship. I am sure that the young lady in question feels ashamed and a great deal of remorse for her actions, uncontrollable as they were. Thankfully Tuna should heal well, and the worst of it is enduring the cone of shame and a shaved leg! I am so glad kid 1 is such a good defensive driver, and had her wits about her!! The sad thing is, the person who cut her off, and forced her off the road, probably doesn’t even know or care. It sounds like they certainly didn’t stop and make sure she was ok!! Your kid 1 deserves a lot of credit for her driving!! She could have just hit the smaller vehicle, and let the damage (greater to the smaller vehicle) occur. The smaller vehicle was obviously in the wrong, so any damage to them would be deserved, right?! Well, kudos to kid 1 for fast thinking, great decision making, and good driving!! She made the choice to do what she could to avoid any damage, even at the risk of herself and her car. I think she needs a lot of accolades for how she handled the entire thing!!! It is a real shame that kid 1 had the emotionally traumatic occurrence at her birthday party, and then shortly after she had the almost accident!! Both have had a big impact. I imagine, and she is probably still kind of dealing with everything. I wish a very happy birthday to kid1, and think she handled the car incident with compassion and grace!! Good for you kid 1!!!! ??????
MagicTrix says
It may be good for reasons beyond a) injury and b) karma that kid 1 made the defensive driving choice she did. Some states, and I think Texas is one, still have vestiges of the poorly thought out “no fault” driving law. Under that law the driver of the car striking from the rear is held responsible, no matter the reason. Most no fault is modified or gone, but the burden may remain on the the rear ending driver to prove it was the other driver’s fault. Not fun. Better this way.
So very happy kid 1 is unhurt. My kid3 was in the same situation, and he DID roll. Fortunately, he was in a strong vehicle and wasn’t hurt. Scared the neck out of me, and I really wanted to ream out the other driver. Who didn’t even stop.
Beth says
OMG! Me too!! My 5 month old kitten broke his ankle, my windshield was broken by a large rock on the way to the vet, and I found out I needed a root canal on the way home from the vet! There is something bad in the air!
Marianne says
Oh no Beth!! How awful!! You have had a terrible threesome too!! I am so very sorry to hear about your little baby kitten’s leg, the rock through your windshield (I am really hoping neither you nor anyone else in your car were injured), and the root canal!! My goodness, it does seem like something bad is in the air!! I am really hoping that things turn around quickly, and get back on track for you and Ilona and her family!!
I hope your kitten’s leg heals completely and without any complications!! I hope you have insurance that covers your windshield. I had a rock hit my windshield recently, but it just put a crack near the bottom. Unfortunately, that crack quickly expanded to the point I had to get the windshield replaced. Luckily my insurance paid to have someone come to my house and replace it. All I had to pay was a $50 deductible!! I was so relieved. I thouyit was going to be expensive, and a long wait at a shop while it was replaced. It turned out easy and fairly inexpensive. They did a great job with the replacement, and I never had to go anywhere! Now that is service! ?. I hope your car insurance does the same. As for the root canal, well it is something you can’t avoid. I have never had one myself, but I am a nervous wreck just going to the dentist for a regular check up and cleaning. I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to going to the dentist. I hope you have a great dentist, who is able to make you as comfortable as possible, does a awesome job, and that you heal quickly and completely. I actually shivered in sympathy when I read that you got the news you had to have a root canal!! Sending you positive thoughts, and cyber hugs!! Let us know how you are doing. ?
cherylanne farley says
Amazon has inflatable cones and they are fairly puncture proof. About $6 we buy them 3 at a time. PS they are soft-ish and my cat–Other SkyKitten–born and raised inside 10 ft high brick pillar–uses them to snuggle.
Amy Jervis-Gober says
This is so cosmic. Over the last couple weeks: Mom called, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Busted her good knee. Getting old people off the floor is a thing. Dispatcher was on it. four firemen showed up got mom off the floor and checked her fire alarms. Two nights later at two am lightning struck our house- blew out one television, all internet and wireless , and the AC/Heat. Next morning we found a baby water moccasin slithering across the hallway. Water moccasins are pit vipers. They are poisonous. Hubs crushed it. That night I woke up to hubs struggling to breathe in a full out asthma attack. Ran him outside to breathe cold air – that worked. The next night the cat found the mouse that the snake had obviously followed inside. Yep. what a week. And now I know it wasn’t just me. cosmic stuff is happening. Planets are aligning. Worlds are colliding. I need a nap, and wine, and chocolate, maybe a week in cabo. Will settle for wine.
Marianne says
OMG Amy!! How horrible!! It does indeed seem like something is going on, with the alignment of the planets, with some Karma backfiring, or whatever – but Sheesh!! Enough already!! God heavens, I feel kind of blessed to have only had the small, everyday kind of problems or annoyances. I also feel so bad for you, Beth, and Ilona and family!! It is time for things to turn around already!! The planets need to get back in alignment or whatever so that these streaks of three horrible occurrences stops! Surely you all are due for some really good things to happen, so that things balance out!!
I hope you get a great nap, have some wine and chocolate (lots), and get a week in Cabo! How about the wine and chocolate in Cabo?! ? ??? Sending positive thoughts and cyber hugs to you too!!
Ilona says
OUCH. Come sit by me. Here is tea and wine.
vwiles says
Woah, that IS intense. I’m glad you made it through this week! Things are looking up here. My toddler broke her arm- which has given me new insights into the sweetness of her personality. Our insurance accidentally cancelled our medical policy, but were willing to fix it within 3 days off her break. We were in a car accident this evening and we are all getting sick again, but we found out that our 5yr old probably doesn’t have cancer :). Yay!! And our toddler’s birthday is tomorrow :). So the good still came through! I’ll take it gladly, with frosting on top 🙂
Joann K says
Oh good grief!!!!!!!!!!! SO GLAD everyone’s okay —- or will be!!!
*offers consoling tea & cookies* and catnip*
Marianne says
You know the more I think about it, the more credit I think kid 1 deserves. I already mentioned it some before, but I really think she deserves a lot of congratulations for how she handled the smaller car cutting her off and almost causing a collision. Kid 1 did amazing!! She had to have already been very upset and rattled from the incident at her birthday party, and then to have that happen!! It shows the metal your kid 1 is made of, and it is precious indeed!! To have made the quick decision that she did, in the split second that she had, shows the kind of person she is!! It also shows that she is a very aware and good driver!! But it shows that she is the kind of person willing to risk injury to herself, in order to prevent possible injury to someone else, even though that someone else was in the wrong and had caused the situation!!! You must be very proud Ilona, as well as relieved! I hope you pass on to kid 1 the positive remarks on this blog that she received for how she handled herself in that situation. She is a wonderful young lady, and I hope that some very good things come her way in short order!! ? ?????
Inga Abel says
First of all, we know that you raised your kids to be decent people! So despite the scary party-incident I firmly believe that those young women grow to be stronger out of that! Totally kudos to your herioc driving daughter! Not many drivers would have done that ?! Second, you already are in the better because you have such a great family! And third your cat: such a show-off! Draping across your desk to better present its battle-wounds! Could have come right out of one of your books ?! Feel hugged! Relax! We all think of you!
Greets from Switzerland!
Inga
Meg says
Yes that’s three!!!
Dawn says
My sincere sympathies to the young woman who is bipolar. My dearest friend was bipolar. He never acted out in a violent manner. His mood swings were marked by outrageous spending and sexual binges. Both of which were destructive behaviors that affected his financial, emotional and physical well being. That being said, he was the sweetest, most intelligent man I’ve ever known.
And you know, I’m very glad you made it through the gamut of 3 unfortunate incidents, but you do realize that poor Kid 1, who was involved in 2 of the 3, is now technically waiting for her personal incident #3. I am sending “be safe” vibes her way!
Catlover says
Wow, that’s enough excitement for a while! Deep breathing, some tears, and a close hug. Scary, unpleasant, but fortunately no major damages and everyone is ok but it sure leaves you strung out, shaken, and wanting to crawl in bed and pull the covers over your head for a while.
d LM a says
Wo oh oh
I’m all shook up …
Thoughts … mental illness, IF, an affected person brings to your attention a condition
It is not nosey or intrusive to inquire, what to do when it occurs.
You got told to minimize your freak out … you were informed so this person could hold their head up … whisper whisper psst mumble murble
Instead of freaky shakes could be … keep calm call mom sit with her in dim room (whatever) give her day to recover call to check …
You got told cause she NEVER knows when/if/where …
Hit this jerk wad or ruin my car … and my car is bigger and will protect me better … hmmn
your kid has compassion empathy and a maturity i’m still talking myself through
You know Tuna was looking for that masked bandit for a rematch ? right cause we all know whose turf this is …
Bee says
A good way to show even more awareness and support for persons living with mental mood disorders is to use that info like other medical information we have about people. Jim lives with bipolar disorder. Susan is going through life with cancer. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
(NAMI) is a great resource for persons interested in learning more about mental health and wellness. They also have info for persons who want to support friends,family and loved ones. It is a scary experience to witness someone lose themselves or disappear for a moment into a manic or depressive episode. Kindness and courage are born of strife. I’m glad so many here reach out to support and show care. It matters. Each tiny bit builds us all into something better and more beautiful than we can imagine.
Emily says
So glad everyone is safe!
My current view is that whenever I have a spate of bad luck, it’s because someone I love needs that luck more than me. Several times in the past few years, I’ve had things go wrong for me – sometimes scary things, sometimes stupid things, but not life-threatening, and then it has been immediately followed by someone I care about walking away with minor injuries/issues from something that statistically was far more likely to kill them, or at least cause permanent serious damage.
LSpencer says
As an EMT who worked a lot of car accidents in my younger days, I believe your daughter saved her own life and that of the person in the convertible. Cars colliding at medium-to-high speeds are frequently like pinballs. A collision would have greatly increased her chances of rolling if she was driving a large vehicle, and the driver of the convertible… well, it’s a convertible. No roof = deathtrap. Enough said. Great job, Kid 1.
As a bipolar person and former EMS professional, I would like to offer safety advice. Though I’ve never had a violent episode or psychotic break, in EMS I’ve seen other bipolar people completely off their rocker (got punched in the stomach once for getting too close). Personally, I’ve been stable on meds for 14 years (having a science degree and knowledge of the disease on a molecular level helps – I know with absolute certainty it’s never going away, it’s just how I’m hardwired and I have to take pills no matter how normal I feel). It was very nice of your girls and others to clean the cake off the woman, but… not a good idea. It hurts to say this, but I recommend if you are all ever in this sort of situation again, you need to get away and let the cops handle it. I’ve seen too much. I made my own family promise to leave me if I threaten them or act like the person you described. On the upside, they have promised to smuggle me girl scout cookies if I get chucked in the looney bin.
You’ve all had a rough week. I hope it gets better for you guys, including that hilariously adorable cat.
Alice Brown says
There must be something in the air. Blech.
This weekend I went with my husband to visit a dear friend of his in Norfolk. As a side note, the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk has one of the best glass collections in the states. What a surprise, right?
But I digress. The friend of my husband is very ill, and based on my husband’s understanding of his illness (my hubby is a pathologist and a great diagnostician), not likely to recover. This friend is almost 90 and has lived a full life. But the sad piece here is that not only is he estranged from his children, his wife was apparently mad enough at him to refuse to visit him in hospital, refuse to answer his phone calls, and refuse to get him much needed insurance information, and finally snap at my husband who really was just trying to help his friend.
Look, I get being annoyed, frustrated, angry, did I mention annoyed?, at your husband. I get it. Being with someone long term is never easy. And I have considered my family dysfunctional, we have mental illness and alcoholism to name just a few of our issues. But I really do not get not being there for your spouse when he is in hospital facing the end. No matter what your issues. Wow.
So I had to come home and call my mother, and thank her for raising me and my older brothers to love each other, even if we don’t always like each other. Like I said above, we got issues, but we still all were there for my dad when he died. I really hate to watch other people go through stuff all by themselves.
Elf says
OMG, emergency vets are unsung heroes. I know I couldn’t do it.
One of my kitties always managed to get around the cone of shame, when she wasn’t beating her head against the wall in it out of sheer frustration. So, we got baby onesies (the kind with snaps at the crotch), cut the armholes open a bit, and cut part of the butt out of them, in an oval shape. Leave two snaps–do cut between them. Put it on the cat like you would a person putting on a t-shirt, then do up one snap behind each hind leg.
Voila! Tail and kitty business parts are free! No lickies! And very fashionable. You do have to be aware that after a day, long-hair cats will need brushin’s after being in their kitty suit. My cat didn’t mind brushies, so it was the better path than mournful yowling and kitty concussions. Your mileage may vary.
prospero says
Sorry to hear about the Kitteh and glad to hear Kid 1 is safe.
Steve Lucas says
One good thing did happen. We got an update from our fave Authors.
KC says
I’m glad everyone is ok.
If it was my cat, I’d totally get her this…
Sue Shelly says
OMG that is so cute. And very Conlin-ish….
Margaret R says
I want one for me! I would sit a my desk at work and wait for my co-workers to notice!
KC says
@Margaret R – you need to record that.
Carolyn says
That is so stinking cute!!
Jennifer m Green says
I don’t let any of my cats outside as they have grown up with dogs, but the neighborhood dogs on either side are not friendly. Also back in my original place of birth (Perth) it us against the law for cats to be outside as they have been decimating the natural bird wildlife and Australia has amazing birds that play in your backyard at all hours.
Jennifer m Green says
Also I forgot to say I am glad both your daughter and cat are okay and yes emergency vet clinics are sad and scary places. I also believe in threes.
Pat Crouch says
That is a stressful week. The next one will probably bring you some peace to recover. In the meantime good tea and chocolate will help.
Sivi says
I think that’s definitely three things.
Really glad that Kid 1, Tuna and Kid 1’s friend is ok given the circumstances.
Did the driver for the convertible stop at all?
Fingers crossed that that’s the end of the 3.
Brooke Frazier says
Glad yp hear everyone is safe and unharmed. I highly suggest taking the kid that went off the shoylder go see a chiropractor though! It only takes 5mph to get whiplash and often they wont feel it for a few years. Its micro-tears in the ligaments around the vertebrae which heals slow and scars quite a bit. So once the scarring developes theyll be getting headaches and neck/back problems a few years later. Trust me, better safe than sorry. Its a pain to live with…literally.
Deborah says
Funny how some phrases just catch – like “the cone of shame”. I’m in the UK and use it, and have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
Cars are dangerous, but other drivers are more dangerous. We place so much trust in others when we drive, especially in these mobile phone / in-car entertainnment / sat-nav days – there’s just too much to distract.
Verslint says
My husband always says we’re driving for the 5 idiots around us as well. I’m very lucky; the furthest I need to drive is 4 blocks away for the daycare, my job is half a block away. I personally detest driving. Luckily my husband loves it, or distance trips would be a real chore
Bill G says
Ugh; may it be all uphill from here. (That math question was quite beyond me, and my head was not functioning in quick-quip mode at the time I read it.)
Sue Shelly says
Your weekend was unpleasantly eventful. Glad it has ended with un-catasastrophic (see what I did there?) results. Personally, I think Tuna looks a little self-satisfied with all the havoc she’s causing. All wide-eyed innocence and “..but aren’t I pretty!!”. They all do it….
Margaret R says
2019 has been a challenging year, but if you look at it differently, your kids bipolar friend has friends who will understand and a supportive parent to help her through, your little cat will get better and he has a good story to tell his other cat friends, and your daughter wasn’t injured and the car wasn’t decimated. Oh and books of course. So it’s win, win, win.
Rose says
Those *are* unfortunate events – but luckily all relatively minor in the scheme of things. I hope kitty heals quickly and without a lot of great escapes, and that Kid 1 is able to get a breather on the things life threw at her.
I also hope the party guest who had the incident is able to come back to a place of balance and without losing too many of her friends. It may be hard to see from this end of things, but I’m sure it’s as devastating on her as it was on everyone else.
Dina says
I’m really glad your kid was able to come out of the skid without rolling her car. When I was 16, I had an accident where I was unable and rolled my car and for some reason I was blessed enough to physically only come out of the accident with only a small cut from piece of glass on my hand from climbing out of the car (still have the scar, about 1/4″). But I’m in my mid-40’s now and I can still remember every second of it. That kind of severe shock never goes away, at least she will not have to live with that. Just quite a bit shaken up I’m sure. But the people that mentioned getting checked out for whiplash are right, it doesn’t take much and it can take a few weeks to months to set in. I believe the only way they can see is an MRI? Driving in/near cities is so crazy.
During my pregnancy I had a case of whiplash and a whole can of other worms and it’s not something you want to mess with so it’s best to get checked out if she can.
Sorry about Tuna, although it sounds like you should have name her Houdinetta maybe :-). (Okay< I'm not good with coming up with names)
Sorry about the birthday party, mental illness is always hard for others to see. I believe that is too often why people often say after something happens "All the signs were there, why did I see it?". Because I think many times, as the saying goes "we only see what we want to see". Any from self-experience, people with depression are VERY good at hiding it and showing a good face to the world sometimes until is too late unless you really are paying VERY close attention and these days with phones, tablets and electronics who really pays attention to people anymore. I can't say how many times I got to stores, restaurants, my friends' house and instead of pay attention to their kids the parents, not even the kids, but the parents, are on the phones. No wonder kids feel neglected.
I had to go to Johns Hopkins Neurology to see a surgeon there for a condition I had, when I looked around at the others there that I talked to in the waiting room I said to my dad, "As much pain as I am in, it could be so much worse." I was able to still walk, I could talk clearly and so many more things, that other patients I met could not. Sometimes things really so seem bad, but you just got to take a REALLY DEEEEEP BREATH and look and the positives. You have a great husband, and two really great kids and well to many animals to count. A beautiful new home. A successful career that gets to stress you out :-). The things may happen, but the good are there too. Best wishes too you and your family.
Brenda says
I’ve had major bite wound to a kitty’s leg before. My vet never suggested a cone and the cat was fine. The hardest part was giving Amoxacilin every day. She hated it!
Nifty says
In late January, I went for a long walk and left my dog at home — because I wanted to WALK and not stop and sniff every damn blade of grass. I was out of the house for 2 hours. When I came back in, I peered around to check for canine mayhem — as you do when you’re a dog owner — and I saw a blue cap sitting on the carpet near the French doors. I knew immediately what it was and what had happened: My dog had consumed the contents of a 200-count bottle of Advil liquid-gels. Ibuprofen is very toxic for dogs, and I knew the bottle (which I couldn’t find) had been almost completely full when I left the house 2 hours before. (I later was able to determine that he consumed about 160 of the capsules.)
Long story short: We hied off to the Emergency Vet, where the dog had to stay for a full 72 hours, being force-fed fluids, antibiotics, activated charcoal, and subjected to various other poison treatments. Cost to me: $1800.
All because I refused to take him on a walk with me. (Seriously…there was spite in his eyes when I left. I even saw it. I just didn’t heed it. So I was not surprised at all by the subsequent medical emergency.)
You are so right, though: The Emergency Vet can be a sad place to be. The animals are in trauma, and their people are, too, and every once in a while someone comes in who can’t pay, and that’s the most traumatic thing of all.
Loganbacon says
Vet prices must be cheap where you live. If you lived in a major metropolitan area like DC (where I lived until 4 years ago), your bill would have been at least triple that. Where I am now, in the Pacific NW and a smallish city, I’m not sure. I think more but I’m not sure how much more. We’ve only had one e-vet visit and it wasn’t too terrible. I’m glad you found your pup in time and that he pulled through.
Nifty says
Loganbacon, it must have had something to do with the treatment for him. Back in 2014, he ate something nasty out of a camellia bush, and 30 hours later he was in sepsis shock from a GI-tract infection that jumped into the blood-stream. The diarrhea started at 10:00 at night, and then there was pacing and inability settle, then vomiting. My mother advised waiting until the morning when the regular vet opened, but I took him to the E-Vet, and when we got there, he had a body temperature of 107 degrees!!! He was in the hospital for 24 hours, hooked up to fluids and 3 different antibiotics. That bill was $1200. Considering that it was only 24 hours, I expected his recent 72-hour stay to be MUCH more than $1800. But clearly the treatments must have been very different.
Gina Hansen says
I lived next door to a bipolar girl in a college dorm. She was engaged and decided to go off her meds because she wouldn’t need them once she married. The next couple months were really wild. Then she moved out and dropped out. I’ve always wondered what happened to her after that. This was a couple of years before the internet so we all lost touch with her pretty fast.
Cori Shaye says
As is my civic duty, I will tell you of my 3 events this month. All hail the carpocalypse.
April 8: driving to work on a road near a parking lot when a lady comes blazing out of a parking space, fails to yield, and Ts my 1 week old Lincoln MKZ… MY FIRST CAR (that’s mine and not a handmedown) ?
April 19: since the Lincoln is in a body shop, I’m driving moms Ford Explorer when a kamikaze deer doe runs into the road at full speed. Needless to say 2 cars are now in the body shop.
Yesterday: driving a rental because I’m out of cars when THE TIRE EXPLODES IN FIREY GLORY.
I’m now in rental number 2. Wish me luck. Also good luck with your stuff too.
Love from Kerrville.
Jennifer says
Is vacation time an option?
Raisa says
I had a series of unfortunate events myself revolving around animals starting day 23. I’m taking my pets from Brazil to Portugal, two dogs and a cat, and we prepare everything one month before to make the trip. They didn’t let us make the check in because of a mistake of the airplane company – TAP – on the weight of one of the dogs. We try everything at the day, nothing work. Now we are trying to do everything again in record time to manage to go and every day it seems that something more goes wrong, and more money is lost. I just want to go home with my pets and my husband.
Well, I hope you guys are right about the three thing wrong, three things right magic.
At least nobody is hurt.