Christmas is a time for families to get together and tell the familiar old stories. Here’s a good one from our family’s beginning.
“Now, That’s a Story!”
By
Gerry Niskern

One of my most memorable nights actually started at eight in the morning.
I woke up suddenly and realized the alarm hadn’t gone off and I was going to be late for work. Starting to turn my head to wake Ken, I was hit with a paralyzing pain. Something was wrong. I couldn’t turn my head or move any part of my body. It hurt too bad.
I called out to him and he came around to my side and tried to help me up, but I was in such pain we stopped. I don’t know why but my scared, young husband decided the best thing for him to do was make me some breakfast. “Stay in bed. I’m going to fix you something to eat.” He made some scrambled eggs, the first and only time he cooked in our marriage. I couldn’t get even a bite down.
I was four months pregnant with our daughter. Ken then calmed down and said, “ We are going over to St. Josephs emergency right now.” He helped me dress and I leaned on him as he half carried me to the car.
The examination indicated the pain was radiating from the appendix area. However, when the blood test came back the blood count was normal. There was no sign of infection. Various doctors, including Dr. Craig, our family doctor, were consulted. They gave me something for the pain and I fell in and out of sleep as the day wore on.
I woke up once and my mother was there. I realized Ken was hold my hand in a tight grip. A hospital doctor came in and said “It’s complicated. Your baby has camped on your right side and won’t move. It is crowding the appendix and causing unusual pressure. We need to remove the appendix.” Then he said, very clearly,” You need to understand that the shock of the anesthetic could cause an abortion. You need to be prepared for that.”
I remember someone saying it was ten o’clock and they were waiting for Dr. Craig. And I was asleep again
Suddenly I was awakened by bright lights. I was in the operating room. My most vivid memory of that exciting night was of me frantically searching the faces above me that were moving in and out of view. I was determined to stay awake and to speak to Dr. Craig. I finally saw him come into view. “ Don’t forget”, I pleaded, “I’m having a baby.” His eyes twinkled above his mask as he replied, ”Yes, dear. I know”.
Then a voice told me to start counting backwards from 100.
Over the years, our kids asked me to tell that amazing story over and over again. “Tell us about the time that Daddy made scrambled eggs!”