Momma Versus The Monster

Guest Author, Delphine Burton

It was Wednesday, April 1st...momma didn't sound right on the phone.  She was very short and quick for someone who loves to talk.  I let it go...said I would call in the morning and if she doesn't sound any better...I'm on my way!

So, Thursday, April 2nd at 10:00am, I'm standing in the parking lot of her building on the phone with her.  I ask her to come to her terrace door, so I can see that she is okay....to no avail she took too long.

I ran upstairs and put my key in her door and little did I know, the monster had sneaked into her house and rattled her entire being.  Oh, my momma..my Queen. This strong , lively woman had surrendered to the monster.  I was crushed, I wanted to cry, scream...but I immediately began to PRAY!

I sprang into action! Called my brother and my sister..all were on speaker phone, while mom was on the phone with the doctor.  We were ready to go to the hospital, but mom trusts her doctor and the doctor wanted to monitor her for 48 hours.  We were not pleased, but mom trusts her doctor...so we wait.

First task...to shower! I said momma, I've got to help you shower, then we have to get some food in your system and some medicine, as we were following the doctor's orders.  Later on that day...momma seemed to be feeling better...the hot water we bathed her in seemed to scare the monster away.    The medicine and little bit of food she ate, also put a some fear in the monster...But it did not last for long.

On Friday, the monster fought us back like a beast and was determined not to leave without a fight.  I sat near her bedside that Friday night, wrapped in a scarf to protect my face and momma ,the monster and I FOUGHT!  

To that end, Saturday morning, April 4th, the 48 hours were up and we needed help fighting this beast.  Off to the hospital we went.  Negative, positive, not sure...finally the prognosis was, we will treat her like she has COVID-19.  

My brother and I watched from the street as they wheeled momma away! All we could do at that moment was wait and pray. A few hours later the doctor called with an update.  Momma is still in the emergency room and they are trying to stabilize her.  She needed oxygen as her levels were low, but no ventilator!  

Few more hours passed, the doctor finally called back and said momma is stable and her vitals are returning back to normal. And still no ventilator was needed.  All I could do was hang up the phone, cry, fall to my knees, pray and thank GOD.  

I didn't call her for a few days while she was in the hospital, as I knew she needed to rest and I also needed to rest and quarantine myself, as the doctor had ordered.  But, when I finally called momma, she was relieved, as she thought I was in the hospital too!  When I explained, she was glad to hear my voice, just as much as I was glad to hear hers.

A few more days passed and momma was getting her strength back.   There was even talk of sending her to Burke for rehab!  However, when the medication traveled through her system, she  gave that monster the BUSINESS!  Momma fought that beast with all her 74 year old body had!

To that end, Mother's Day 2020, is truly one for the record books.  As, we usually would attend church service and then off to brunch.  However, this year we are just eternally humble, grateful and thankful that momma defeated the monster.  The monster knew it was gonna win, but God had other plans.  God showed up, stepped in and fought the monster on momma's behalf.

One thing is for certain and two things are for sure, we will never forget the battle momma had with the monster.  As, it humbled us even more and strengthened our FAITH and TRUST in God!  

Momma is home and on the mend thank God.  And each day gets better!  It is truly a blessing to hear her voice on the phone and I find myself not wanting to hang up.  I actually call her more than she calls me, just to hear her talk...and momma can TALK!

Finally, I am grateful for my brother and sister!  As they checked on me and made sure I was okay. They made sure I was eating and drinking the right things, so that I could stay well.  We were already close-knit siblings, however momma's battle with the monster made our bond even stronger.