Guest Blog from GirlChild

THIS IS VERY LONG, BUT VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET OUT:


Two years ago today, I was sitting at my laptop playing league of legends when I got a call from my aunt around 10pm on a Sunday.


I thought it was a butt dial, since she was usually in bed before that. But then I saw a voicemail. So I called her back.


"Your mother has had a heart attack, come to CSM Ozaukee."


I hung up, screamed bloody fucking murder, and sped to the hospital. To this day, I don't remember the drive there. I just remember getting there and flying thru the hospital, into her room. Everyone was reassuring me she was okay, but they still needed to take her to surgery.


It didn't matter. That was my mom. That was my lifeline. As an only child (biologically) and a female... she was my first best friend. I was sobbing. I was losing my mind. I'm sobbing writing this now. I hugged her and told her I loved her before they sent her to surgery.


One of the last things she said before going under was "Someone needs to make sure Rebecca makes it to her dentist appointment tomorrow." This woman... whose heart was ready to give up... was more concerned about my goddamn dentist appointment. (Yes, that still bothers me.)


My stepbrother and I left the hospital and went for a long walk and long drive to get my mind off of it.


My family sat in the waiting room for hours overnight. I don't think anyone slept.


Around 6am, we were able to go in and see her. My stepfather went first, and when he came out, my aunt and I went in. I was sobbing again... those tubes and machines, hair matted to her face, breathing tube down her throat... I couldn't handle it. I held her hand, but it was limp. I was still scared. Yeah we made it thru the toughest part, but what if the woman that woke up was not the same woman that I grew up with and loved?


I squeezed her hand. She squeezed back. Then they kicked us out. My stepdad wasn't too happy that I got a response out of her when he got nothing, but hey man, that's my mom. She knows it's me.
When we were able to go back in, she was more awake, but still had a breathing tube. And even she will tell you... thank god i was there.


My mom taught me sign language growing up, and while for the most part I don't remember it, I remember enough. To communicate with the nurses while in her room she was supposed to use her oxygen monitor to hit the railings on the bed to get their attention. With me standing right there, she signed to me, and I took care of her. I was the only person she could communicate with for a bit.


I spent all week at that hospital. I didn't want to be away from my mom. When she got out and needed to be walking, we would walk around grocery stores or targets so she could stay in the AC where she could breathe. I'd leave one job and drive 20 minutes just to go walk around a store with her.


I was lucky to still have my mom.


And I'm still lucky to still have my mom.


Hug your family a little tighter, today.


You never know what could happen while you're busy playing a video game.


I love you mom.




(You can find GirlChild here: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccablazeofficial/)