My incredible 1-month Stateside vacation with my 91-year-old mom was coming to a close. What an energizing visit I’d had back in my hometown, Marshall, Illinois, after 1 ½ years settling into my new position as Director of the Suntisouk Language and Vocational Center (SLVC) in Laos.  I felt rejuvenated and refreshed, ready to tackle the new school year. By my side at the Center were office manager and teacher Santi (Laos), intern Shaloom (Pakistan) and full-time, live-in caretaker Suher (Laos), all with whom I’d been in constant communication during my time away.

Eagerness in returning to my teaching and administrative position was evident, not only for myself but the Center’s students.

Our 3-month term was to begin September 7, with  4 different levels of language learners taking classes from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. These four levels were:  ABC learners, Level 1 primary school, combined junior high/high school and finally, adults.  Registration was about to begin upon my landing. I was convinced we 3 teachers would have at least 40 (our highest number yet) due to the WhatsApp messages I’d been getting from parents and students alike.

“Teacher Connie, when does the new term begin? My son wants to join again and bring his cousin.”

“Teacher Connie, this is Nok.  Will adults meet for free English talk again on Wednesday night?”

“Teacher Connie,  I miss you!  Can we learn more songs this term?”

To all of the above, my overly zealous, geared up self raced, “You bet! Let’s go for it!”

Preparing for my August 28 Flight

With 30 years of experience in overseas departures behind me, by the 26th, I started early in my packing. All those Amazon orders of gifts, educational supplies and whatever else I felt I could stuff into 2 suitcases were finding their way into my suitcase. Bridget (my rescue dog from China, living with my mom) guarded my treasures from atop my pull-out bed.

I next made sure all my farewell pictures with friends and family were recorded. This included my mom, my brother in his downtown office (lawyer Paul and his law partner, Joe), a visit to my 2 China rescue dogs, brought to the US after Covid and adopted by PJ, my aunt and uncle (my dad’s younger brother and his wife), my niece visiting from Hollywood and numerous other friends.

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So many great memories, plus excellent photos to put together for a visual power point journey to share with my students back in Laos.

Yes, I was hyped.

The 911 call:  Yikes!!

But what I wasn’t ready for was my mom’s Monday night, 2 a.m. call for help.

My mom, Priscilla, always in excellent health, (a daily walker, active gardener, independent house-owner,  avid reader, sharper-mind-than-myself woman) woke me up with, “Connie, I think I need to go to the emergency room.  My heart is racing, it won’t stop, and I have traveling muscle aches. Am I having a stroke?!  I feel very strange.  Call 911.”

Thus I was plunged into wake-up call mode, in more ways than one.

My Mom’s First Hospital Experience Commences

Scrambling to pack an overnight suitcase of some sort, I managed to do so while waiting for our local 911 paramedic team to arrive.  Off my mom went with me following behind in the car to Terre Haute’s Union Hospital, 20 minutes away.  Once there, we waited 15 hours for a bed to open up.  My brother arrived to the emergency room after finishing his scheduled court cases around 2 p.m.  

Thank goodness I was still home!

 That initial hospital stint, I was able  to assist, support and deal with medical staff (excellent, by the way) who performed numerous tests and exams.  By that time, her heart had stopped racing but she was feeling tired, achy and foggy.  She was admitted later in the day into a hospital bed where she spent the night until a doctor could finally see her.

While waiting, my mom took this photo of her adult children, my brother and myself, focused on the tasks at hand:  My brother was checking on clients; I was trying to figure out changing my air tickets while alerting my higher-ups of a possible compassionate leave request.  (This was granted, by the way, which I am so very, very grateful to have had approved.)  

After being sent home with little more than an “All your test results appeared great” and “Take an aspirin if needed,”  she had another emergency hospital run the next day with the exact same symptoms.  The difference was this time around, those topsy-turvy heart palpitations insisted on  stretching themselves out numerous hours, with no signs of slowing or calming down.  

That made a believer out of her assigned doctor.  He prescribed medication, with a follow-up office visit in 2 weeks, so I’m waiting around to make sure the treatment holds fast.  So far, so good.

Directing from afar until  September 21

At present, aside from helping my mom, I’m doing my director duties from afar via WhatsApp:  Re-organizing teaching assignments so we can start on time, writing agendas for our meetings, checking daily with my Center staff, making sure enough reimbursement and money advance forms are signed by me (over 30 are still left), approving of immediate language center needs (electrical outlet repairs, roof leaks, book copying for our new students, tree trimming, safety checks), reworking my classroom power points and lessons, not to mention thanking everyone continuously for their cooperation,  understanding and “stepping-up” willingness.  

As I type this, they are at our weekly Monday meeting, which I am not able to attend.  Shaloom has been assigned to carry out my written agenda, along with writing the minutes, until I return. (See what’s on my agenda list for September 7, below)

So what about Winnie?

Also included on my re-arrangement list has been Winnie’s extended kennel stay.  I was fortunate that there was room for her.  In fact, she’s gained an added skill due to my extended stay:  She can swim!  Roasting temperatures have pushed her into the large doggie pool and smaller tub provided by the kennel staff.

As you can see, she’s having the time of her life.  

Stay tuned for more reports

As I close this off on a Sunday evening in America, modern technology keeps me in touch on a 24/7 basis with everyone in my Southeast Asia home. I have numerous Laos stories to share which took place this past week.    Some heartbreaking, some surprising, some rather dangerous and others just plain hilarious.

I’ll be reporting on those next, along with pictures, so check this space again soon.

Connie in Marshall, Illinois