30 April 2010

Life is just a chair of bowlies

I'm a big Mary Engelbreit fan. The title comes from her.

My life has been a whirlwind lately with both parents having medical crisis's. That's why I haven't been around. My dad is still in rehab. Today was the big staff meeting to discuss and evaluate his progress. We don't know the outcome. He wants out. I think another week would do it, but I definitely wouldn't want to be there. Not even for one day. My dad's sedentary at home, and they have help, so I think he'll be able to manage. I hope so. He's walking with a walker, but for short distances. He could do more, but they don't have the staff or the time and for safety reasons, they won't let him walk alone. I'm hoping they can start him on a cane. This is deja vous all over again for us. He fell 5 years ago and suffered a subdural hematoma. He had brain surgery for that, and spent many, many weeks in rehab. A real rehab hospital with hours of therapy a day. He progressed from not walking, to walking with a walker, to a cane, then on his own. So, I'm hopeful he can walk and be at home, with help. He wants out of that place bad. My mom started feeling sick on Monday. Nauseous, weak, lack of appetite and tired. It wasn't the first time she's had those symptoms. She's always gone to the doctor's and they've never found the cause. This time it was bad because she was alone. I made an appointment for her to see her doctor at Kaiser Permanente on Wednesday. Their determination? She probably ate something bad on Sunday. Yesterday, she fell. I rushed to her house and after talking to Kaiser, called 911. It was fortuitous. I like that word. If she hadn't gone to the hospital we wouldn't have found out that she had a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct. The GI doctor pressed on her tummy and guessed right away that it was her gallbladder. I'm not so happy with Kaiser. She had a procedure today that successfully removed it. The surgeon told us after the procedure that he was expecting to see a tumor because of the size of it. That was his read on the CAT scan. I'm so glad he didn't tell us that yesterday. So, she's in a very good hospital and should be there at least for another day. She still has a big stone in her gallbladder, but that's to be dealt with another time. Wah. Anyway, it's hard to juggle which parent to visit. I was at the hospital twice yesterday. I was at the rehab and then the hospital today. Tomorrow I'll go to the hospital after Borders, and my sister will go to rehab. My brother is making the rounds too. Rob has been with me to both places. He's so good with my parents and so kind and so nice to me. He's been a trooper. I'm lucky to have him. Come Monday, I'll start calling assisted living places. It's only a matter of time.

I called work after the surgery to see about coming in and having some of my canceled clients put back on my book. My boss wouldn't hear of it. Thanks Pam! She told me to go home and work in my garden. It's been a picture-perfect day. I mowed the lawn. I planted many annuals. I talked to a neighbor. I refilled my hummingbird feeders and was pleased to see a new Robin's nest in my pear tree. I ate dinner on the deck. I played games on my iPhone on the hammock. Now I'm sitting on my porch. The weather is delightful, as my mother would say. The only thing that could make this moment any more perfect would be to see a hummingbird at my feeder. The simple pleasures in life are the best ones.

6 comments:

Golden To Silver Val said...

Oh wow....I'm thinking of you and sending you some virtual strength. I'm so glad that you know to enjoy "the little things" for those are what keeps us sane when our worlds start to crumble in places. Hang in there....sounds like you have lots of love and support around you. God Bless.

Mary said...

When it rains it pours!!! I'm so glad that Rob is being supportive - he's a good man. The support of your brother and sisters is important, too, but having your own person to talk to is the best.

Thinking of you and understanding how you must be feeling. Sending a big hug to say I care.

C.A. said...

I bet your Mom is so relieved to be out of pain! You are a good daughter, Cheryl. It's so hard when our parents get older and need our help. You are doing an outstanding job, and I'm with Mary in that I'm glad you have Rob to help you through this. :)

Happy Weekend.....

C.A.

happyone said...

Sorry to hear this about your mom now too. I hope your dad gets to come home soon.
Nice to know you have family helping you and that Rob is there for you too. It was nice that you got to spend time in your yard on such a nice day.
You and your family are in my prayers every day.
Hang in there my friend.

KathyA said...

I hope you let Kaiser know the accuracy of their diagnosis. Did they even palpate her stomach?

It's great that your sibs are helping out and that Rob is there for you, too. There are several good assisted living places in the area. I think you're right to start calling now.

Martha said...

I'm glad you were able to relax for a little while. I can't imagine the concern and chaos. Hope your parents are up and about and feeling well soon.

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