Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thursday whew when I can say tomorrow "TGIF!"

This week has been a rough one. I took off early one day to go to the hospital so my mother could go to the emergency room and get her ankle taken care of. My grandmother who has been struggling with pain was admitted to the hospital too. She knew awhile ago (not sure we will ever know just how long) that she had breast cancer. She opted not to have treatment and they told her at her age it would progress slowly because she is now 96 and has little estrogen left. About a month ago she was in some serious pain and they did x rays and a CT scan which showed nothing. They admitted her to the hospital and the MRI showed THREE breaks in different vertebrae. They injected something which greatly helped her pain and sent her home with hospice. Hearing that made my heart ache. She has had a wonderful life and we have had her so long...it's not losing her it's that I don't want her to suffer. My mother doesn't really want to know in detail what is happening. She is on overload and compartmentalizing things.
My father has made some progress but there is still concern if he can make enough progress to come home in another three weeks. Their insurance will cover his stay until then. After that my mother will be responsible for paying until she uses all but 40K of assets. She can keep the home she lives in as well. We keep telling her not to worry about that NOW. One day at a time. He understands he is in rehab and he is very worried that he can think but communication is difficult. His right arm swings around but cannot do anything else. For anyone who has been through this I need not explain and for those who have never seen someone who had a stroke, it's hard to imagination how much it takes from someone.
My sister is coming again this weekend. She is a big help. My mother needs a tremendous amount of support right now. It's hard for me to deal with my job, my health issues, my financial issues and trying to get claims processed correctly. I need a break but if my father comes home, not sure I will have one for a very long time. Still, I hope he can overcome the hurdle and make it back home. We are willing to do all we can to get him there.
Now time for some online gaming and a few minutes to myself.

4 comments:

Ronni Gordon said...

I hope that over the weekend you manage to take more than just a few minutes for yourself. You need the time and you deserve it.

jennifer said...

Take more than a few minutes to yourself Nelle. Remember that the only way you can help your family is if you are in the shape - mentally and physically - to do it. Taking care of yourself first is the best way to take care of others.

It took me a long time to figure that one out.

(((Nelle)))

IndigoSunMoon said...

Oh sweetie...just reading this makes my problems seem so small.
Love you...
Connie

Missie said...

You certaintly have enough on your plate!

I hope you can get some "me" time this weekend and concentrate on you.

Keeping your family and you in my prayers.