Momma Fran: End of 2013 thoughts

2013 is over and done and 2014 has begun i have to say the year was one tuff year due to sum events that i had no control over. But i plan to go hard in this year. I have to be honest about the film as i said before the film has been put on hold and i feel really bad that it's on hold but making a film is hard so making a film, writing a book all with poor health is even harder. I want to let everyone whom i touch with what im doing know that every day i think of how i can get. The film back on track and finish Sick Cells. I know that a lot of times our community gets pushed aside i won't let that to happen. Being so close to a goal and dream my focus and judgement was bad and lax in some aspects and events i had no control over really hurt the film and my work in a bad way. But i won't give up on this film. Getting the project back on track is one of my new years resolution along with film done, book published, And stay out of the hospital. I look at every new year like a rebirth a way to correct the mistakes of the years prior. Getting back on track is gunna take a few months but im heading to DC to speak to the FDA about sickle cell, Then i am being interviewed for another magazine thats for sickle cell anemia. The publication is sold world wide and full of great information on all aspects of sickle cell. "As one door closes another opens" Happy 2014 to the sickle cell community and my family love all you and i hope you all have a prosperous and healthy years.

Momma Fran: Thoughts

After my stay in the HEALTH HOTEL i had several reminders about friends. I like to stay positive and think of the future but i also remembered we cant forget the past. Having health issues requires you to look into the past. But the point im trying to get at is kinda a bit of advice for sicklers. I am 30 years old and in these years i have met a lot of people who became good friends. They to were suffering from sickle cell, cancer, and a whole list of other list of ailments. They were strong, brave, and took whatever shots came there way with smiles on there faces and courage in the hearts and souls. But eventually some of them lost the will to fight and they died. I remember all there names and who they were every day i think of them and make a vow never to forget how hard they fought who they were how much they love life. My friend D'angelo was getting better after he met me and i helped him navigate the ruff waters that sickle cell can bring and he turned into a fighter as well but living the life we were given is hard and i believe that sickness can BREAK a person to the point were they give up mentally. With no shame in my heart i can say it has happen to me a few times but right as i reach the brink im pulled back by a higher power weather its GOD, Buddha, or just my warrior spirit i remember why i chose to fight another day. So if you ever feel the hurt off loss don't let it fade keep it because your drive from that. Death will bring you closer to understanding life. I grew cold for years after i lost my first friend and i stopped making them. I'm here to say don't make that mistake your friendship to another sick kid could save there life and brighten there future. As humans we are imperfect but the upside is we are connected. Love, friendships, family, and hope are the key elements of life you.just have to see and feel them. So keep these words in mind when your not feeling to good due to a bad day or your back in a hospital bed in pain. I'm thinking of you all with all those things in my heart

Momma Fran: "Together we rise alone we fall"

You know i love telling any and all. About our common struggles with sickle cell and i really want to save all of the next gen of kids with the illness from having to endure some of the things those whom are in there 30s and higher. But i need for us as a whole to not fear anything. "Together we rise Alone we fall" how do you think those with breast cancer get so much support they stick together and are never ashamed to talk about it. That one person you can be telling your struggle to can listen to you and years later be the one to find a cure so tell your story and know that there are people out there whom will listen and never doubt your struggle people are always shocked to hear the hell I've been through and still have a smile on my face it hope and courage we all have brave hearts we wouldn't be here if we didn't. And those who judge let em cuz it only out of. Ignorance and fear

Road Trip DESTINATION ABERDEEN SCOTLAND!!!!!! MORE TO COME ON THE STORY.

The clean up 10 days later

Rising Waters

MOTHER NATURE

Hello everyone,
First I am sorry for the delay in blogs . I am a graduate student , nurse , mom, and many other hats that keep me from getting the posts done.
Adding to our new title are natural disaster survivors.

NO ONE on our block died and thank GOD for that!
I want to talk about being prepared for the worst.

On 4-18-2013 we had the worst flood we've ever seen. The rapidly rising fast moving water was dangerous caught us off guard and any plan we thought we had failed.

Persons with health conditions are at the greatest rsik during disasters. Immobility , requiring   medcaitions , breathing difficulties and conditions realted to Sickle Cell Anemia WILL need special attention.
We assisted our new family with an expectant mother and little boy, we helped save cars, pets and then after sand bagging my husbadn helped the Fire Dept complete another rescue our other neighbor can not walk and the water was already 7-8 feet to their home. The fire men borrowed a paddle boat tethered lines and got him. My husband drove him in our garden cart with the tractor to safety.

After we helped our neighbors my BIG plan was to grab Marqus and a bag of supplies and go out our back door uphill to dry land , that did not happen!

After the boat rescue of my neighbor , we smelled gas Marqus was slummped in a chair slightly blue after he preared his small bag. OUR house is OXYGEN RICH  with a M60 tank and 3 concentrators.

My best freinds had just lost their entire home and they were now helping us , we all helped each other THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT!!
NOW we had to throw together a suitcase of IVs , meds supplies for his central line and other essentials , I have ashtma  so that meant we needed the nebulizer etc etc,

ALL I could think of was EXPLOSION and get this O2 tank out of the house and up the hill.


I pushed the life line and the divers returned to us witha motor boat to get Marqus. We evacuated to Benedictine University where the Red Cross set up temporary shelter then a hotel.

We are lucky because we still have a roof over our head but the clean up and fianacial losses are great.
During clean up we all helped each other and fought off scavengers picking though our wet , fithy stuff on the curb , stealing and preying on our tradgey like vultures. IT WAS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES!!!!  There was raw sewage on many things our basement was full of it and folks took that awful stuff not just metal.
10 days later the bulldozers and semis came to pick up the trash. The Smell was sick!
The Village communications broke down and THANK YOU to BOY SCOUT TROOP 108 and THE LISLE CARES FB page for  information and help.THANK YOU TO OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT ! for tying themselves to a paddle boat to rescue our neighbor and coming right back for Marqus and the rest of the people that were trapped.

TROOP 108  is a blessing they saw our needs and have helped ever since!!

Well I hope to post information that can help you in a disaster.
Despite our best plans Mother nature is unpredictible !

Go to The American Red Cross and FEMA web pages and check out the information it can save your life.

PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS  PLEASE PLAN AHEAD!

A always thank you for listening and I promise to try and update this more often.
LUV MOM
Francesca Valentine  RN BSN MSN Candidiate Benedictine University  , SCA parent