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Caseys New Unit
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Good Late Afternoon Everyone;.
I am sorry to not have blogged earlier- Just was so worn out.
As was Casey.
So much pain, and so little relief; no matter how much they turned up her painkiller, she could only sleep for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. This is not conducive to healing.
I called the hospital about 3 times Monday night, overnight.
Yes, she was still in pain, and little/no sleep.
This was Casey waking up Tuesday morning- I had gotten there before she'd woke, and gone in search of her nurse. We chatted a bit, and I would go wait til Casey woke...
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This was just after another of her 15 minute naps.
She had just been resting when I had gone in there.
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10 minutes later, she was up and sitting in a chair...
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Not sure what the heck happened to her back during the surgery,.
but when she came to, it was hurting her awful.
Relieved when she walked,
though that made everything else hurt more.
That, and she is so very weak.
One of the nurses came in and helped her get up and about too.
I took over after taking this picture...
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They sure have fancy clothes in this hospital, no?.
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As we walked around the place, there were different things to be seen. Especially the views from the 7th floor. But sad to say, my pictures were taken through some mighty dirty windows and didn't turn out for the most part.
We came upon this room, and I had to open the door and peek in...
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Very very cool!
Although I find it very odd that they have NO hypnotists available,
especially thinking how much pain relief may be gained through hypnosis
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Speaking of the view,
this is taken from her room...
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That is The Mississippi River.
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Each time I visited yesterday, there was no great improvement. And oh how it hurts me to see her in such non~retractable pain.
Last night she was still awake so we hiked some more. She IS a trooper!
But her back is just awful. (I still want to know why)?!
As we walked, another nurse at the desk was trying to contact a doctor who maybe would prescribe something for her to sleep.
Her saline had gone dry-
Her nurse, (Mary)? changed the bag.
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We talked a bit, and I even gave her my blog address!
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Casey.
- So tiny- So frail
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I came back here, and had problems falling asleep myself... Nice to have the computer for those times.
Later to turn the TV on too. Nothing was on- Bunch of noise and distraction.
That seemed to help.
I didn't wake until it was light out! Not like me at all!
But it was good to sleep too...
I wondered if Casey would call; I did not want to wake her up if she was sleeping.
She did call around 9, and sounded good!
Would I bring her this and that? Of course!
She said they had given her toradol (sp), and that she had also gotten some good sleep.
So I hustled up there fast as I could... - .This is what I walked in on...
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Less than 48 hours post surgery!
(Ain't she cute)?!?
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After she had washed up and changed, we were off walking again.
She has gotten rid of her foley catheter, (and her "fall" bracelet)
and can now go for walks on her own.
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She stopped at a wall chart
to point out all the 'innards' she is missing...
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And then sat in the sunroom for a bit
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Oops I think this was a Tuesday picture...
Oh well.
We sat there today too.
She eats her ice.
(How very yummy and nutritious)!
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She has been told that she can have clear liquids tomorrow...
Baby steps for my baby girl.
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And now what you have been waiting for...
Drum roll please?
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TADA!!!!!!
"Look Mom, no zipper!"
hehehe
They taped her together!
Using the same scar, and just extending it lower a bit.
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And that is the last two days for us.
Punk needed to see Casey too, so I brought her up to visit this afternoon.
Casey had wanted me to bring her computer.
Maybe she will even feel good enough to blog in the next day or two. Hopefully.
Hope all is well with everyone- My apologies for not getting to your own blogs, or even answering all of your notes.
Please bear with me. - (I can't even get to them right now either- Punk has been patient enough).
Hope all is well with everyone - My love to all
XOXO
Anne
Young Lady Casey; and Old Man River
Tags/Labels:
hospital,
megacolon,
surgery,
sutherland
Just a short note
Casey, Morning 'Til Night, megacolon pic
- Morning 'Til Night.
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You asked about the weather?
Suffice to say Minneapolis still needs this dang chart.
Hello Old Man Winter?
"JUST LET IT GO ALREADY!"
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And what a long day-
I left Casey at the hospital where she says she is in the worst pain of her life. (These statements inbetween dozing and waking to pain in her front and more pain in her back).
They have upped her dilauded drip- But then it knocks her out and it is worse then when she wakens, or even tries to adjust herself or move.
Tonight will be tough on her- Tomorrow will be worse.
But by Wednesday we will see more and more spunk~n~sass coming back.
For now I must find some sleep. (It's here somewhere)...
And yet I am so afraid of falling asleep and not hearing the phones.
My head is back- almost full force, but no barfing anyway.
I won't take anything because then for sure i won't hear the effing phone.
Wanted to share a few pics before I lie down.
Know that the two photos at the bottom (under my XO's) are from her surgery.
You have been warned.
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Morning 'til night now...
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Showing off her healed scar from her TP/AIT .
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Joking with one of the anesthesiologists
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Showing off her new STYLE!
hehehe
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A bit of a break while she was in surgery-
I came back here and and found Punk loving her little Henrietta
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She has taken to crying as the little chicken makes its own noise...
(Mama Milly used to do that with her own toys).
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And back up to the hospital.
I waited in the waiting room after talking to one of her nurses.
That wait got longer and longer- And finally I went back up to the front.
No one there!
So I found a computer that had some info on it about the patients- It told me that Casey was up in a room already!
Yikes!
So I hightailed it straight up there.
She was resting; just not comfortably... .
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This is how I left her...
In and out of sleep.
Probably more drug induced than comforting.
But she was still, quieted, anyway.
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I will call up there before I rest, just to make sure all is well enough.
Love to all, and for all of your kind words and prayers and reassurances too.
This is plain old tough, and you have helped by being there for us.
XOXO
Anne
**** Now here are the pictures I warned you about.
WARNING!
If you cannot bear to see insides, it is time for you to scroll right on past
(And to my comments of course). ;-)
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This is Caseys colon before it was removed,
It is longer, and as wide as my arm!
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The same colon..
OUT...
In the harvest pan.
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Is it not miraculous what the human body can do to itself- and live through?.
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God bless you my Baby Girl
Forevermorelonger
XOXO,
Mama D.
Tags/Labels:
casey,
megacolon,
surgery,
sutherland
Update on Casey
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What a morning!
Early came too early for us today- (She was one minute late getting to the darn hospital).
Casey is still in recovery, and will be 'out of it' for quite some time.
Dr Sutherland came out from surgery about an hour and a half ago.
He said Casey's surgery went very well, they said he had to extend her scar just a little bit.
He also emailed me pictures! I have not asked Casey yet if I can post them; I am sure she won't have a problem with that, but I still want to ask her first.
He spoke of removing her ng tube already, and that if all goes well she may even be out of the hospital by the end of the week!
(Keep those prayers coming, they are working)!
I have already spoken to Greg, my sister Barbara, and have just hung up from talking to Kelli.
Now who did I miss???
My apologies!
Time to walk Punk again and to get back up to the hospital and watch her wake up.
Love to all
XOXO
Anne
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What a morning!
Early came too early for us today- (She was one minute late getting to the darn hospital).
Casey is still in recovery, and will be 'out of it' for quite some time.
Dr Sutherland came out from surgery about an hour and a half ago.
He said Casey's surgery went very well, they said he had to extend her scar just a little bit.
He also emailed me pictures! I have not asked Casey yet if I can post them; I am sure she won't have a problem with that, but I still want to ask her first.
He spoke of removing her ng tube already, and that if all goes well she may even be out of the hospital by the end of the week!
(Keep those prayers coming, they are working)!
I have already spoken to Greg, my sister Barbara, and have just hung up from talking to Kelli.
Now who did I miss???
My apologies!
Time to walk Punk again and to get back up to the hospital and watch her wake up.
Love to all
XOXO
Anne
Tags/Labels:
casey,
megacolon,
surgery,
sutherland
Signs of Spring!
- Good Evening Everyone!
As I write, it occurs to me that I don't remember how to write a blog anymore. It seems like so long ago. But it really wasn't. Just so much has happened, and many miles removed from the scene of the crime, as it were.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend...
Yesterday for us was the trip here. Uneventful for once. But we did wake to snow this morning.
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Maybe not so 'uneventful' for these folks though....
The smoke was lots thicker and darker a few miles back.
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For most of us, 300 miles is no big deal. (And it really isn't for me either)- But things got tough as I began to see the aura that precedes my migraines about 75 miles out from arrival.
Getting sick in a car is no fun. But I was better by the time we got here.
For Casey's last big meal, we ordered Applebee's..
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Our steaks, by the way, were ordered rare..
Ummm... "Yeah, right"
(But they were eaten none the less).
Just no "Mmmmm's" to be heard in this room.
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For breakfast, part of a waffle for her, and then this GIANT muffin.
Both from Perkins
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I didn't eat, my tummy and head still "off" enough for me not to....
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I did get a few pictures in and posted to Flickr.
And Deb, I cannot find the ones of Punk with her new birthday toys from you!? I must have already downloaded them to the other computer. Know that Greg saved all those pictures.
As you all know, it was Punks birthday on the 27th.
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My Little Miss Punkin
3 whole years old.
My favorite picture, ever, of her.
As she waited by the refrigerator door.
.We had to run to town on her birthday to pick up a prescription.
She wasn't particularly happy with me for not giving her a present...
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Unbeknown to herself, I did pick her up a few things at the Rx store.
And then we headed home.
She had to wait outside while I went in...
Still mad at me too.
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That wild whisker has since been trimmed!
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After a few moments she gained entry to the house...
Funny she knew just where to go???
And she even SMILED!!!!
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She peeks!
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But needs a closer look...
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I do believe she liked what she saw!
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A squeaky squirrel, among other things...
(Like a new frisbee that fell apart after 3 throws).
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Spring is slowly but surely beginning to be sprung around Flintville..
The first sign this year is being able to actually see the picnic table back by the woods.
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Then there is some kind of life that has remodeled my barngrade.
Not sure I want to know what kind either...
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There is spunky & sassy life too!
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And Mr. Miller even gets to come over!
He steals Punk's Sponge Bob toy.
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But gets that one taken away fast.
It has now become a 'game' for them both.
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There is "life" of the six legged variety out and about...
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And of the two legged, double winged variety too!
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Sure are noisy!
And most welcomed!
.- maybe I don't want to know.
Thankfully it was outside...
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Spring is when all your friends come out of their own little holes and come visit.
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And they love you just enough to tease you...
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Spring brings neighbors over too!
This is Julie with her new friend,
"Lady"
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Lady is a mere 9 months old.
Basically unwanted by the people that were selling her
because she didn't have a patch over her other eye too.
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Patch or not, methinks Lady is just a doll!
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I'd better close. I have Punk waiting patiently to go outside once more before she sleeps.
I shall post this now and get out there to walk a bit.
We will leave early tomorrow; needing to be at the hospital for 5:30.
Casey is on clear liquids 'til midnight and then nothing for who knows how long. (Hopefully she enjoyed that steak)!
Please keep her in your thoughts...
My love to all
XOXO
Me - PS
- Casey posted a new blog last night.
- Please CLICK HERE to visit and to answer her questions
Dr. Daniel W. Shea, MD, (Obituary)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
They don't make doctors like this anymore...
I was so saddened to read this on the paper.
He was my doctor years and years ago- Before I had kids.
After they came along he was their doctor too!
He left The Beaumont for position as President of The American Academy of Pediatrics when Casey was about 3.
A wonderful doctor! A huge loss to us all...
How do you remember your own pediatrician?
XOXO
Me
************************************
Shea, Daniel W.
Daniel W. Shea, son of Edward C. and Corinne W. Shea, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2009. He was born on April 27, 1928, in Buffalo, N.Y. Dr. Dan was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BS 1948), St. Louis University School of Medicine (MD 1951) and University of Minnesota (MS Pediatrics 1957). He also served as a flight surgeon in the USAF (1952 to 1954).
Following a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Shea practiced Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Green Bay for 33 years. He was a founder of the Beaumont Clinic. His advocacy for children's health in the community included active board membership of the Green Bay Day Nursery (Encompass), Curative Workshop (NEW Curative Rehabilitation, Inc.), Community Service Center, and Our Lady of Charity Campus (Libertas).
Daniel's continuous participation and leadership in the American Academy of Pediatrics, dedication to children and those who care for them resulted in his nomination and election to the office of president of the Academy. He served in 1991 to 1992. This honor extended to 2007 when he received the Clifford G. Grulee Award which "recognizes outstanding service to the Academy beyond that required of the elected leadership".
Dan is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann; children, Daniel (Elyse), Patrick, Michael, Mary, Margaret (Jeff) Harding, and Kevin (Cathy); brother, Donald; grandchildren, Eben, Jacob, Samuel, Anzia, Kaysa Shea, Kinsley Makielski, Eric and Callyn Harding, Sarah, Katie and Liam Shea; great- grandchildren, Saul and Willow Shea.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Kathleen Johns and infant daughter, Sarah Ann; brother, Edward, and sister, Elizabeth.
"Doctor Dan" was a favorite of children and parents alike. He will be remembered for many years.
Friends may call on Tuesday, April 7, at St. Mary Catholic Community, just off Sportsman's Drive in Ledgeview from 9 to 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. at the church. Burial in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the Shea family at www.prokowall.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Donations will be forwarded to Encompass or Unity Hospice.
From here... http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090403/GPG010301/904030580/1212
What a wonderful man!!!!
Now how about your own?
Tags/Labels:
childhood
Call Me "Coward"...
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Good Evening Everyone...
Casey's surgery got moved up to 8AM on Monday. Much easier for her that way as she doesn't have to wait all morning and into the afternoon being half starved..
She did spend last night in the hospital- Much pain and vomiting- and had a migraine thrown in to top it all off. Poor silly kid. (I know how she feels).
I still do not have my computer back, so no pictures. ..Yet.
hehehe . → → I do, however, have the better part of 200 pictures on my camera. Waiting...
I can upload them in Minnesota and maybe I'll have 10 or 15 worth saving or posting. Hard for Greg to be rebuilding my computer with Casey so sick, and he works full~time. But I do believe my computer is finished. They will bring it out in the morning. (He will either get it all set up, or reprogram my home security system so it can feed to his own computer).
Now.........
"Mother Nature and Canada!" (Need I say more)!?!
Originally we were going to leave on Sunday. Not going to wait that long. Not with a new major winter storm thrown in.
Now wait, - ~CAN I drive in 6" of new snow? Of course I can.
Do I want to drive 300 miles in it if I don't have to? Nope.
Although it might have been fun years back (more carefree then); AND, all the cars had rear wheel drive too! Wheeeee
Call me a yellow-bellied chicken if you must. I would rather put out an extra night at the hotel than to drive in that crap.
No snowplowing anymore either- Snow in April only messes up the yard for a few days. (Hey, I'll still be gone, so I sure as hell don't care). hehehe
Damn shame I won't be here to have to clean the gravel out of the lawn. Maybe a gremlin or two will do it for me before I get home... ???
Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
While we are gone, Kelli will check on Sputnik; and Randy will be around as well.
My poor Spazzie Sputnik, all alone this time. I shall leave a few drapes pulled so he can at least lay in the sunshine, (if there is any).
Kelli and Tim had the flu- Tim's was last week, & Kelli was so sick this week. Nice of Tim to share!
I took Mr. Miller and Miss Punk back to the woods this afternoon. Apparently Miss Punk decided that the bath she had on Monday needed fixin' and promptly lay down in the mud in the field.
Sheesh! Didn't I have enough to do before we leave?
I tried getting to a few blogs earlier this morning- Multiply was not cooperating.
Hopefully all is well in your corner of the world. I will blog from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, (and lost body parts).- AND I shall have pictures!
Love to all!
Have a "wunnaful" weekend!
XOXO
Me, aka "Fraidy-Cat"
Casey's Hospitalization and Surgery UPDATED
| Start: | Apr 6, '09 07:30a |
| End: | Apr 11, '09 |
| Location: | University of Minnesota, Fairview |
She has much pain-
Some days good. Most days in pain.
When her surgery is over, she will be relieved of 70% of her colon...
I believe this hospitalization may be longer than her transplant hospitalization was?
For a summary of Caseys surgery
*(and pictures of her own megacolon),
please go to this blog. http://flintville.multiply.com/journal/item/775
Please keep her in your thoughts... and prayers... and hearts...
XOXO
Anne
If you have not read her entry, please go to this link.
http://edbdkcn.multiply.com/journal/item/104
Tags/Labels:
caseysick,
megacolon,
surgery,
sutherland
Rules for the Non-Military
From my email...
Dear Civilians,
'We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.
For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand.
Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.
2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.
3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise,
quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many
sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.
4. If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others
that you used to be 'Special Forces, Collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.
5. Next time you come across an *Air Force* member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet?' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking, (children under 11 are exempt).
6. If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass..
7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your
heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.
8. Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party
affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC.
Regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet.
All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out.
If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked.
9. 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick your ass!
10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!'
And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military.
That reminds me- if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!
11. 'Flyboy' (*Air Force*), 'Jarhead' (*Marines*),'Grunt' (*Army*), 'Squid' (*Navy*), 'Puddle Jumpers' (*Coast Guard*), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other.
Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked.
12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families.
Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get it's ass kicked.
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God Bless America!
XOXO
Me
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