Saturday, December 16, 2006

hospital visits

For the second time since coming home, I made a trip to the hospital. Last week I visiting my grandfather who was admitted with Congestive Heart Failure. Yesterday, I had to bring in my mother who threw out her back and was completely immobile. We were taking care of my other grandfather who needs full-time care due to pretty advanced Parkinson's and it was a circus, trying to arrange for someone to take care of him while trying to get my mother off the floor and Ella into some clothes so that we could drive 60 miles to the ER. I am shattered. And today? Trying to keep my mom sitting and resting is draining all the energy I have. Another day I will rant about how this woman is impossible but no time now.

All this is really awful of course, but mostly I feel thankful that I was here when I needed to be. I can't imagine how long my mom would have been lying on the floor if she had been there alone with my grandfather.

4 comments:

Beccy said...

I hope your Mum has a speedy recovery. I too hate living away from my family in times of crisis.

Nicole said...

Thanks!

sallywrites said...

The trouble is that for all of us who don't live nearby enough to our parents (and I know I am only a few hours drive a ways from mine, which is nothing compared to the other side of the Atlantic like you, but it's too far nevertheless to just hop in the car and go without a moment's thought) there will always be instances, when visiting, you speculate over what it would be like if you lived nearer. They would prefer it, you would prefer it. You would be there for them.The list goes on.....

But, in truth, you cannot worry or feel guilty. The odds are that they too would have made decisions when they had young families and careers, that would not have involved their parents. I know that mine did.

Women are born with a guilt trip, and it's our job throughout our lives to learn how to be sane despite that.

The important thing is that you were there for her on that occasion when it mattered. It was fate. And that is the great thing about life, because fate often steps in for you.....

I do hope that she gets better soon, and that you can have a lovely Christmas together...

Sally

Nicole said...

Thanks Sally. You are absolutely right. After all the excitement has died down, it is nice to be able to be here to help out.