UPDATE

November 23, 2016


By Olivene Godfrey

I'm sitting here on Tuesday morning, wishing I could tell you I feel better today.  The day didn't start out too good.  I woke up scared early this morning.  My first thought was something was terribly wrong.  I was trying to call for help.  Then my son, Barry, was trying to wake me.  He told me I had a bad dream, and that I was safe.  Soon I was eating breakfast and Barry left to go to work.  Then Tam, my caregiver was here.

Barry says a group of doctors are evaluating tests that I have taken to try to determine why I am so nervous.  We hope they can make me feel better soon.  I would be so happy if I was able to celebrate with Barry on Thanksgiving as we used to.  First with his late dad, my late husband, Ralph, and later with him.

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (Edited and Typed by Tam.)

WOW, WHAT A WEEKEND

November 15, 2016

By Olivene Godfrey

As I sit in my recliner in my sitting room, I am reflecting on my weekend and waiting on Tam to arrive for the day.  With all the smoke from all the fires burning in several locations around us, I was taken back to the emergency room at our local hospital on Saturday with breathing problems.

I was having issues with my COPD, which caused my heart to weaken, and I started retaining fluid.  The hospital kept me until Monday evening.  The wonderful doctor of Murray Medical, Dr. Mitchell Wilson and his assistant and nurse practitioner were God sent and helped me to get back on track.  Dr. Wilson diagnosed me with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  They have put me on oxygen 24/7 at least until our smoke problem is corrected.  They have given me antibiotics and lasix for the fluid retention.

I ate a good breakfast this morning, an entire bowl of oatmeal and some crackers.  Maybe the oxygen is helping me get my appetite back.  I'm feeling much better and thankful to be back home.  I am in good hands with son, Barry and caregiver and dear friend, Tam.

I would like to thank Dr. Wilson and all of the staff at Murray Medical for taking excellent care of me.  I'd also like to thank all of my good friends and family, you know who you are.  May God bless and take care of you all.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (Edited and typed by Tam.)

TRIBUTE TO AUNT WILLODEAN

November 7, 2016

By Olivene Godfrey

Last week, my Aunt Willodean Cook of historic Missionary Ridge passed away.  Her daughter, Lillian Ann, called and Barry answered the phone.  (I can no longer talk on the phone due to my impaired hearing.)  He was shocked to hear that Willodean had died.
I had always been told that she was ten years older than me.  (I'll be 89 on December 10th.)  A few days ago, I asked my caregiver, Tam, to wire a flower arrangement to Lillian's home.  Today, I received a thank you note and she said the arrangement was beautiful.  I felt better about not being able to go to the funeral home or to her funeral.
My earliest memory of Willodean was a summer day when she was a young girl and I was a small child.  We both were in shorts.  Willodean was living with her parents, which were my maternal grandparents that we grandkids called Big Mama and Big Daddy.  He was a retired Methodist preacher and Attorney.  They lived in McMinnville, Tennessee.  The day I remember, we walked on the sidewalk to the drugstore where we sat at the round table and drank nickle soda fountain cokes.
Then tragedy struck!  Big Daddy was absent minded and was working on a court case and walked in front of a car.  His hip was broken.  At that time, there wasn't much that could be done medically.  He was taken to my Aunt Helen's home to be cared for.  Big Mama had high blood pressure and had no medicine.  They were very devoted to each other and always said they wanted to "pass together", and there wish was granted as Big Mama died and her devoted mate shortly after.
Everyone in the family was devastated, especially young Willodean.  She lived with Aunt Helen until she married a nice, young Methodist preacher's son, Millard Cook.  My Mother, Pauline Brashear, cooked the young couple's wedding supper.  I remember Mother used her special dinnerware.  Willodean wore a pretty green dress and looked beautiful.
My next memory was when her daughter, Lillian Ann was born.  I remember when Mother took me and my twin sisters, Joan and Jeanette, to Willodean and Millard's small house so Mother could help care for the new baby.
Soon Lillian Ann was in school and Willowdean was working in the lunch room and soon advanced to lunch room manager, a position she held until she retired.  When they both retired they continued visiting sick family and friends.  Willodean told me once that Millard enjoyed shopping for clothes.  She often praised him and summed up her emotions thusly, you couldn't not love Millard.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (Edited and typed by Tam.)