Almost Tragedy, goodbye Rufus, Speckles is the hero
Ok all, I’ve tried to be the strong little soldier since October when
Maddie was diagnosed. I thought “nothing could be worse than this”.
The short version of the story is at Midnight on Wednesday, going
into Thursday, I was awakened to Maddie’s cat Speckles howling like
I’ve never heard before, I sat up took in a breath and was overcome
by thick black smoke. I ran to the living room and found the entire
place engulfed. Madelyn hearing me screaming crawled out of bed,
stayed crawling and crawled right to the front door with Speckles
right behind her, where I scooped her up and ran as fast as we could.
To think she remembered stop drop and roll. I’ll never chide her
again for not paying attention.
The house is destroyed, most of the contents are gone or heavily
smoke damaged, including the Rufus we were going to send to Trevor.
I didn’t want Jody or Trevor to think I had forgotten them.
We are extremely grateful to be alive. The fire inspector figures
another 10 minutes and we would not be sitting here writing our
story. There have been charges filed against the oil company who was
at the home earlier that evening working on the furnace that had
started the fire, and unfortunately that’s all I can say right now.
I’ve been given the names and numbers of about 100 lawyers in the
area ready to swoop in and help us out. I’m the the suing type, I
only want back what we lost.
As for now, we are trying to rebuild. It’s been a rough few days,
but we have replaced all of the diabetes supplies. Even though some
of them weren’t damaged, the pharmacy said they should be replaced as
they came in contact with heavy smoke. Maddie is great, not too
traumatized by it. While I tell everyone how brave she was to crawl,
she says her little Speckles was the real brave one. We were both
transported to the hospital for smoke inhallation. Her blood sugars
stayed great throughout the whole ordeal, never once spiking. It’s
truly amazing to me, a cup of macaroni and cheese will send her
skyrocketing, nearly losing her life, steady eddie.
So I won’t be around much in the next few weeks. I’ve taken a leave
from work to stay around the house and work with the insurance people
and the fire inspectors. My company has been great, they put me up
in a nice hotel near our home for the time being. We have friends
who have given clothes and toys to Maddie, we are very blessed. As
for Speckles, she is just fine. She is resting comfortably at my
mom’s home with her cousins. How fortunate we are. My brother says
this was a blessing, almost like a cleansing in some way. My divorce
comes through on Tuesday of this week, and it’s like this is God’s
way of telling me it’s really time to start over, everything will be
brand new for Maddie and I. I’m not really sure I buy that, but I’m
quite certain that what didn’t kill me the other night, has only made
me stronger.
Peace, love and strength to all, and if you have a pet, make sure you
hug them extra tight. They really are smarter than we give them
credit for.
Stephanie & Madelyn
December 4th, 2005 at 8:54 am
I’m extremely thrilled to see you and Maddie came thru it fine. You’re in our
thoughts and prayers
Vicky & Becky
December 4th, 2005 at 10:58 pm
I am so glad to hear you are safe and everything is working out in the end.
You will be in my prayers.
Hugs to you and Maddie,
Rhonda and Sydney
December 7th, 2005 at 4:04 pm
Stephanie,
Thank God for that little kitty!!! I’m so happy that you & Maddie are safe. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help! I know you said you have toys & clothes for Maddie, but what about you? Is there anything you are in need of? Keep us all posted!!
Stacy
Stephanie <thiswomansworld2003@…
Ok all, I’ve tried to be the strong little soldier since October when
Maddie was diagnosed. I thought “nothing could be worse than this”.
The short version of the story is at Midnight on Wednesday, going
into Thursday, I was awakened to Maddie’s cat Speckles howling like
I’ve never heard before, I sat up took in a breath and was overcome
by thick black smoke. I ran to the living room and found the entire
place engulfed. Madelyn hearing me screaming crawled out of bed,
stayed crawling and crawled right to the front door with Speckles
right behind her, where I scooped her up and ran as fast as we could.
To think she remembered stop drop and roll. I’ll never chide her
again for not paying attention.
The house is destroyed, most of the contents are gone or heavily
smoke damaged, including the Rufus we were going to send to Trevor.
I didn’t want Jody or Trevor to think I had forgotten them.
We are extremely grateful to be alive. The fire inspector figures
another 10 minutes and we would not be sitting here writing our
story. There have been charges filed against the oil company who was
at the home earlier that evening working on the furnace that had
started the fire, and unfortunately that’s all I can say right now.
I’ve been given the names and numbers of about 100 lawyers in the
area ready to swoop in and help us out. I’m the the suing type, I
only want back what we lost.
As for now, we are trying to rebuild. It’s been a rough few days,
but we have replaced all of the diabetes supplies. Even though some
of them weren’t damaged, the pharmacy said they should be replaced as
they came in contact with heavy smoke. Maddie is great, not too
traumatized by it. While I tell everyone how brave she was to crawl,
she says her little Speckles was the real brave one. We were both
transported to the hospital for smoke inhallation. Her blood sugars
stayed great throughout the whole ordeal, never once spiking. It’s
truly amazing to me, a cup of macaroni and cheese will send her
skyrocketing, nearly losing her life, steady eddie.
So I won’t be around much in the next few weeks. I’ve taken a leave
from work to stay around the house and work with the insurance people
and the fire inspectors. My company has been great, they put me up
in a nice hotel near our home for the time being. We have friends
who have given clothes and toys to Maddie, we are very blessed. As
for Speckles, she is just fine. She is resting comfortably at my
mom’s home with her cousins. How fortunate we are. My brother says
this was a blessing, almost like a cleansing in some way. My divorce
comes through on Tuesday of this week, and it’s like this is God’s
way of telling me it’s really time to start over, everything will be
brand new for Maddie and I. I’m not really sure I buy that, but I’m
quite certain that what didn’t kill me the other night, has only made
me stronger.
Peace, love and strength to all, and if you have a pet, make sure you
hug them extra tight. They really are smarter than we give them
credit for.
Stephanie & Madelyn
December 14th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
Dear Stephanie, I am so sorry it’s taken me so long to write. I have been down a few days with my bladder disease acting up and haven’t been able to sit at the computer much less attempt to concentrate to write.
Please stay safe and keep us informed. Give Maddie and Speckles a kiss for me!
You all were very lucky and that cat deserves a brand new scratching post! If there is anything you need, clothes or otherwise. I have way more than I need. You could email me privately your size, I’m sure with the varied sizes in my closets, I could find you something. That is of course if you are not a 2,4,6, you get what I mean!
For anybody that is joined the last few days, I’d like to welcome you to this list. You found a great group of people.
Take care,
Carol