Wednesday, April 16, 2008

God?.....God???

HEY GOD ARE YOU UP THERE?  I know that you are only supposed to give me what I can handle but I think you are going too far this go 'round.

Yesterday morning my dad called and said he was sick, too sick to look after mom.  So I hurry over there.  Dad is really sick and in pain.  I asked him if he should go to the doctor.  No I'm too sick to go. So I called the doctor and talked to the nurse who talked to another nurse and they told me to call 911.

So I call and the fire department comes (they always come to calls because they can get there faster than the ambulance) then the other paramedics show up.  Off dad goes to the hospital.

Hours later dad calls saying they are admitting him and are running all sorts of tests.

So I am having to take care of mom all by myself.  No biggie right?  Wrong.  The later in the day it gets the worse she gets.  The weaker she gets.  She was NOT going to use a bed side potty chair.  I about killed myself getting her to the bathroom and back.  She seemed to go every hour or so.  Finally I said that's it you have got to use the potty chair.

Today I told her that we were going to have to use the Hospice respite care for a few days.  This means her going to Hospice for 5 days while I rest, hopefully get dad home from the hospital, AND I would get a Hospice CNA to teach me how to better handle mom in and out of the bed so I wouldn't hurt myself or her.

Mom didn't want that.  She tried thinking of everyone in the world that might could come stay with her at night.  Finally she said to call my brother.  I'm all like he ain't coming to help take care of you.  But I called him and she talked to him.  I told him that if he couldn't come and stay 24/7 for a few days not to come.

Low and behold my brother showed up with his suitcases.  I would never have believed it if I wasn't there to see it.  I left them alone to run some errands.  He had to help mom with the potty chair.  Guess it went ok.  Then when I got back and was on the phone to someone mom tried to get out of bed.  Well bro you gotta handle this one 'cause I'm on the phone.  I could tell it wasn't going so good.  Mom want up and wanted to go to the other end of the house to find some pj's.  Bro said he would go get them.  Mom said he didn't know what she wanted.  I got her calmed down and brought several pairs of pj's for her to chose from.  Crisis averted.

Then my brother made a HUGE mistake.  He pulled the bed rail up.  Mom TOTALLY went off on him.  She doesn't want it up.  She sat up and looked at him and told him she would get out of that bed.  No rails for her!

I was kind of laughing to myself because I knew this would happen and wondered what Bro would do to handle it.  He finally gave in and let the rail down.  But told her it would go up tonight when he was sleeping.

Yeah right.  If he gets any sleep tonight it will surprise me.  Either that or he won't be doing his job.  Mom is up and down all night wanting this that or who knows what.  She will get out of bed and forget what she wanted and lay back down.

So, God you up there?  You honestly think Bro is going to be able to hang in there?  Did you hear mom tell me that she wanted me to stay tonight and not my dear brother?

PS......Dad will be in the hospital a few more days.  He has (I can't spell it and too lazy to look it up, so here is how you sound it out) diver - tic- u - lie - tus.  He also has a kidney infection, his potassium was way too high and could have started to effect his heart if not caught in time.  He still has dizzy spells don't know where they are coming from.

Kathy

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

You sure do have your plate full!  
Missie

Anonymous said...

((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))I hope and pray your Dad is alright and that you will be able take care of your Mom.

Anonymous said...

I have been where you are now..
god bless you is all I can say.

Anonymous said...

O Kath, if his potassium is low, he'd be in trouble of kidney failure.  If too high, it's usually from a cystic issue or infection, but I'm SURE God's aware of it all, whatever He is, doesnt mean things will go well just cause God's in charge, I'd say.  If Dad has diverticulitis - bowel trouble, pain on left side of abdomen, nausea, can't be pleasant.  But even though God's up to snuff on this, I thin we;re expected as humans to make choices and act on them, you know?  Even when it seems so unfair and illogical.  You might be a strange cat but you're a smart one. Stay in place my friend.  In all ways.  xoxo CATHY
http://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/    

Anonymous said...

He's not only up there but with you each step of the way for sure.  I'll be praying for you all.  You, your dad and mom and brother too.  I'm so glad he came to be there for your mom.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh...try to hang in there.  You sure have lots to handle right now.

Nancy

Anonymous said...

When it rains...

Pray...and yell...and scream.  Sometimes illness is hardest on those who aren't sick.  I wish I could give advice, but it's a crazy situation.  I remember.

((((((HUGS)))))))))
Russ

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy...you poor thing.  Brother will never make it...you know men, they think they can handle everything, but he's going to get  real taste of what taking care of your Mom tonight is going to involve.  I'm so sorry your going through this..
Love you,
Connie

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness.  You are doing great in spite of everything that has been handed to you.  Take advantage of your brother being there and take care of yourself.  He may not come back so get the time while you can.

I hope your Mom will let hospice respite care help.  Maybe someone from Hospice could talk to her.

Hugs and love my friend

Deb

Anonymous said...

At least you're not on your own looking after your mom, Kathy. Oh, when your potassium is too high, your heart doesn't work properly and that can give you dizzy spells.

Anonymous said...

You really need permanent help.... I hope the Hospice respite you mentioned is something that will work out well for you while you take time to rest.

Joann

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad your dad was taken on to the hospital!  Let mom and brother try this, but do what you have to do.  If that means hospice, then you just have to do it.  And He's right there with you in all of it, so lean upon Him!  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

Praying for all of you through this difficult, trying time.  I know how horrible lung cancer is, and how difficult and painful it is to watch a loved one dying from it.  Know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many here in J-land.  Thinking of you and praying for you and your family, every day.