Hi Tracie,
What a whirlwind week. Mom has been in the hospital three times since Saturday. We keep bringing her home after 6-8 hours because there are no beds available. She spent the whole time in the waiting chairs, not even making it to an emergency bed or cubicle. They would take her for a test, and bring her back to the chairs. How insane is that?!? Our medical system is truly broken.
But at least we know what the problem is. She has fluid around her heart and her left lung. She seems to be a little better today, but is still pretty much bedridden. And on heaps of medications. As far as care giving goes, I can't imagine how Mom did it for so long with Dad. I'm exhausted! My sister doesn't drive on highways (panic disorder) so I have doing the bulk of the driving back and forth from the hospital. I had my own medical appointments yesterday, so a family friend stepped in to drive Mom, so that was a relief. My sister has been spending hours with Mom waiting at the hospital, and I have been home making sure my nephew gets fed and does his homework. Neighbours have been checking in to see if we need anything, which makes things seem more of a community. I know I could not be doing all this on my own.
I was also able to have dinner with my nephew the other night, just us guys (he's 16) and was able to talk with him about how he has been feeling with his Gramma sick and his Poppa dying so recently. He is a really good kid, and understands what all is going on, but I just wanted to make sure he didn't get lost in all the current 'drama'. We don't hide anything from him, but I know there are ceratin things he would rather talk to me about than his Mom. He is very supportive, and comes by every day to make sure his Gramma (or his gimpy Uncle) don't need anything
My back is still causing me a lot of pain, but I FINALLY have an appointment to see the surgeon for a consultation on friday. I am hoping after that we will have a better idea of what will come next as far as surgery or not goes. But I think I will still be off work for quite some time. Yesterday and today have been especially bad as the weather is stormy and changing... plus the added stress of Mom being so ill. She seems to be better today, so I am hoping in turn that I will sleep a little better tonight.
All the best to you...
Nite