Good bye October
Don't let the door hit you on the way out
If months of the year could have a personality disorder, October 2024 has been the one.
Bipolar October I shall call it.
It started off glorious. A quick trip to Mexico with some close friends. Absolutely amazing! A terrifying wave assault at Destiladeras Beach, I now call Death-tiladeras. That moment, not so amazing. Did I also mention, that I almost came home with a Mexican market chihuahua?
Back on the home front I was busy with colourful fall sessions, some creative business branding, and content photography, writing, and of course edits. Always edits.
Then Thanksgiving weekend happened.
My sister had taken a fall and cut her right arm on the Saturday. With some underlying medical issues, by Monday night her arm was seriously discoloured, black and bubbled with blisters. Her arm was infected with necrotizing fasciitis -flesh eating bacteria- and her poor body had gone septic.
She was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. They operated that very night, removing as much of the dead and infected tissue on her arm, that they could. Two days later they operated again, removing any remaining infected tissue.
One of the most heart wrenching, and scariest moments I’ve experienced, was seeing her laying there, unresponsive, intubated and full of tubes. Silently fighting this aggressive infection on life support in the ICU. Two days later she was diagnosed with pneumonia. I’m thinking wow, this just keeps getting better.
The remainder of October was filled with a house full of family, worry, stress, and a lot of hospital visits.
While respecting the privacy of family, below are some photos taken to document this crazy time in our lives.
Update
My sister is now out of ICU and in recovery. She is able to breathe, and eat on her own, and is no longer septic. Her pneumonia has healed up with much rest and antibiotics. We are confident the life threatening stage of this infection is in the past. Big sigh of relief.
My sis will have a long road ahead, with skin graphing and physio, etc.
Thankfully she still has her life, hand, and arm.
I know we’ve all heard it before, but life can change in an instant. A persons health is so important. Without it, we have nothing. Hold your people close. Tell them that you love them. And most importantly, take care of you.
As my dear friend and sis in law always says, put your own oxygen mask on first.
Some happy news from bipolar October.
My oldest son Dorian, inherited grown children and grandchildren, when he met and married his lovely wife Brie. We adore every single one of them. Lucky I know.
While we were consumed with my sister in the throws of fighting for her life, Brie’s oldest boy and his fiancé welcomed baby number two.
It was surreal and heartfelt, the joy in such a beautiful life event. I felt conflicted feeling happiness and sadness all in the same sweet moment.
Baby boy Kaycen is absolutely perfect in every way, and to say we are so excited for everyone, is an understatement. We live about 8 long hours away, so meeting the newest bundle of perfection will have to wait.
There is some imposter syndrome symptoms calling ourselves great grandma and grandpa, but apparently that’s our inherited title, and although mostly absent for all the duties that one earns with this handle, we are honoured to accept it, and so very appreciative of the loving open arms Brie and her family have embraced us with. Thanks to the socials and snapchat, we are always included, and kept up to date on all things family.
Now on this positive note I will sign off, before October decides to throw another mood swing our way.
Smiles & warm coffee cheers
xo
Tam
Listening to
Do to the stack of half finished books beside my bed, I decided that the next book I was consuming would be in audio form.
An audio book. What a novel idea. Pun intended. Although I still prefer the old school, book in hand and pages to turn, I have to admit it’s a pretty handy way to crush a book.
Its called The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
Narrated by the author herself, I’m loving Gabrielles words, life lessons, and thought changing methods.
Let me know your thoughts - It might even be life changing.
If you enjoyed this little read please share it with someone, because that would make my day and hopefully brighten theirs.
Hi there, I’m Tamara Dayle. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies. I am a wife and mom of two grown men, and 3 unruly fur turds that rule the roost.
I am also a story teller, life photographer, and writer - Mishaps and Milestones is 100% reader supported. Thank you for joining me while I write about all the beauty and confusion this life has to offer.
Please do consider upgrading to a paid subscription, to support my writing. You will receive a weekly Mishaps and Milestones newsletter, with some life observations, amusing stories, photography, some occasional creative prompts, monthly ghost stories, and plenty of midlife what the actual fucks.
I hope to see you here again.
Mishaps and Milestones is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Glad to hear she is out of the woods Tam.