FW: Sweet Pea Farm Update 9/8

 

 

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From: Stacy Murphy [mailto:hppsco@optonline.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2007 4:21 PM
To: Abbie Zuidema; Amy Ferraro; Andrea Hutter; Anne and Luke Williams (burntcove@verizon.net); Anne Davis (annekdavis@hotmail.com); ashby@ashbysedibles.com; Barbera Curry (bcurryjames@optonline.net); Billsmwct@aol.com; Brenda Fries; BLARRABEE@aol.com; Bruce Baker; BFurgess@aol.com; tigerlilly2; Cynthia Brown (cynthiabrownstudio@yahoo.com); Dan Hodges (danhodges@optonline.net); Mckenna, David; Dean Rohrer (drohrer@optonline.net); dmichelotti@aol.com; Debbie Seaman (debbieseaman@optonline.net); DeeDee; buzztri@aol.com; Drew Kennedy; byrne_eric@hotmail.com; Affonso, George; hsd2005@optonline.net
Subject: Sweet Pea Farm Update 9/8

 

Here we are on Sweet Pea Farm,

 

As usual, nothing is ever calm here.

 

Willie and Rosie continue to improve health wise. Their personalities have taken a dramatic turn, as they continue to feel better, and increase their strength after the blood transfusion and worming.  In fact, Willie now is asserting himself as “a man” and will not tolerate Rosie’s bossy behavior. He now stands his ground when she barges in to take his food, and if she makes him mad – their newest thing is head butting. I get rather concerned with the loud ”clunking” of their sculls as they go at – but neither seem worse for wear after they are through. Rosie actually has been running full tilt across the meadow – kicking up her rear hoofs like a bucking horse as she goes. Willie has been running around a little too – he is so much smaller than Rosie – but he is holding his own.

 

In another week, I will worm them again, to catch the second generation of those nasty hookworms that almost killed poor little Willie.

 

I planned to weigh them, but have had a slight mis-hap of m own. I went riding for the first time in months with a friend on Monday, as I finally got some relief from the 14 hour work day 2 week sprint of August that is the tell tale end of summer as everyone finishes up on their travels. So, Howard and I decided to ride to Glastonbury, along the back roads on our motorcyles to look at another BMW motorcycle he wanted to buy. We were cutting through New Haven, along quiet little side streets, with virtually no cars. Stopped at a corner, we proceeded through another light and took a slow right turn. I was probably going 10-15 miles an hour when my front tire hit tar or grease and my bike was thrown violently on its right side. It happened so fast, I remember lying on the ground saying” I am actually on the ground, I can’t believe it”. Standing up, I realized I had either jammed or broken my right shoulder, as it REALLY hurt. When it “clicked” I knew I had broken it. I shut off my bike which was still running, and sat on the sidewalk. Howard came over and asked if he could get me anything – I couldn’t raise my head as it would move my shoulder – so all I saw were bunches of feet around me – I replied “ Get me my Gatorade please or I might throw up”. The pain was that severe. I peeled off my leather jacket – 1 arm only, helmet and gloves and asked for an ambulance. We were only 2 blocks from Yale New Haven Hospital, so that was great.

 

It was the Fire Department that showed up. – for you girls – they were a bunch of good looking ones too! I mentioned I used to be “one of them” and we started in with having a jolly good time as they lifted me into the ambulance. They couldn’t believe my blood pressure was so normal –asked if I was in pain – I stated “No” as long as I laid flat.  That of course lasted until the ambulance started moving – then I had to be peeled off the ceiling. 4 units of morphine did the trick.

 

I was wheeled in the ER, and had prime view of the entire ward from a room at the end of the hall. This is where I laid, for 7 hours. Interesting to watch, they weren’t really busy, only had 5 people come in from 2pm until 8pm when I left. I had xrays, and a catscan. They put a sling on me and “kicked me out the door”. J  Jacques and Ashby were the lucky ones to come retrieve me and drive me home. I never felt better when I looked up and saw Jacques walking down the hall towards me, as I was feeling very alone 2 hours from home, and Howard had left already.  That is all they do for a broken collar bone – nothing. No splint, cast or anything, just a sling.

 

I had no other damage on me – didn’t hit my head, no rips or tears on my leather, pants, gloves, helmet, boots or jeans. The bike itself has very little damage. I typically ride alone, often along the back roads, and have done so for over 3 years. This just seemed to be a fluke thing. So, 5 days later – I have had no pain, and haven’t had to take anything since the hospital – ibuprofen 2x, that’s it. I have very colorful bruises on my knee from the weight of the bike, and on my side from the impact. A slight malformation on my collarbone, bruising there oddly enough came 4 days later. I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday. Mobility is getting better in my shoulder, I have been lightly working and driving Ashby’s automatic car which she so nicely allowed me to borrow.  This is not the first time I have had “boo-boos, so I just chalk it up to more “experiences of life”.  See pics…

 

Construction here – I AM HAPPY TO SAY – is drawing to a close – I think another week – still need lighting, paint, beadboard, bath fixtures, doors and trim, the floors need to be sanded and stained. I am afraid to get excited, but it is drawing near!  See pics

 

I have had wonderful people calling and checking on me, and driving me on errands and such. Most of them insist, with my stubborn and self sufficient attitude, I have found it to be a great relief, and wonderful times we have spent together. Thank you to aall for your continued calls and support. It is very difficult to muck out a stall, feed 5 cats, change h2o for birds and vacuum when you have one arm! Simple things like cans of cat food, medication bottle tops and can openers are impossible. You stare at them stupidly as you realize you can’t open them.

 

That’s all for now as it is difficult to type.

 

Oxoxo

Stacy