Parents
My Father called this evening to let me know that my Mother is in hospital. She’s been fighting congestive heart problems and this is the second episode this year.
I’m pretty upset because she’s been in hospital since Monday and I just learned about it this evening from a very stressed Father. I’m not upset at my Pop, but at my two brothers - one who lives in Salem with my parents - who couldn’t make the effort to let me know what was going on. We have an unpublished phone number, but Pop has the number and nobody seemed to have had the sense to ask him.
We’re heading for Salem early tomorrow to visit both my Pop and Mom. Pop is 85 and Mom (as she continually reminds me) is 79 (not 80). Both have been having a lot health problems the last couple years and I’m entering that high stress period that everyone has to go through with aging parents. It sounds like she’ll probably be home this weekend and one more health crisis will pass. Not looking forward to the next one.
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Wyrd wrote:
Been goin through the same stuff with my parents, and they aren’t very old. Christmas, that heart attack time of the year. Hang in there.
Posted on 30-Dec-04 at 8:27 pm | Permalink
Chery wrote:
I’ll be thinking of you and your parents. Make sure everyone has your phone number…
Posted on 30-Dec-04 at 11:09 pm | Permalink
Lisa D. wrote:
I hope that your mom continues to improve. Strength and courage to you.
Posted on 31-Dec-04 at 7:52 am | Permalink
Sara wrote:
Same here. My Mother-in-law has been living with us for the last 3 months - 89yo which makes me crazy but….I don’t think I am designed for this elderly parent thing. I sure see my patients go through this all the time, but it’s differnt when it’s me. Hopefully we can get her back to her own home next week and keep our fingers crossed that it is really going to work for her. It is her insistence that she can do this that makes us try. Have nurses set up to help her but don’t know how long this will last. She is not happy here, not happy in foster care, not happy anywhere but the place it is least safe for her - home alone. Sigh. They are hard people to raise, one’s parents. My Mom is my older sister’s problem. There is a place in heaven for us all as they say.
Hang in there. Was just wondering how your Dad is doing.
Posted on 01-Jan-05 at 2:25 pm | Permalink
Jerry wrote:
Mom and I had a talk while I visited her in hospital about the future. She and Pop have lived in their house for more than 56 years. Though she’s nearly completely blind, she knows that house like the back of her hand and I think that’s one of the sticking points. And of course, the lost of personal freedom. To do what they like, when they want.
I know Mom knows there will come a time when they’ll have to move, but as long as they have each other to lean on, I’m not going to be party to forcing them to move (though my brothers have other ideas).
Pop is doing pretty well. Actually, I was kind of surprised how good his mood was when we visited him yesterday. I’m not *convinced* he can really live on his own (he can’t cook for beans), but after the initial stress, he seems to be coping pretty well.
Posted on 01-Jan-05 at 9:29 pm | Permalink