the other end of the spectrum
In this blog I've focused quite a bit on my daughters, how they are moving through their teen years towards adulthood.
today I want to look at the other end of the spectrum.
my mother is worn to a frazzle lately, dealing with the health problems of her younger sister.
it started on February 5. my aunt was not feeling well, and made an appointment to see her doctor. she was on her way to the doctor's office when she took a bad fall -- face first onto the sidewalk -- and broke her nose. the paramedics brought her to the hospital, and she hasn't been home since -- first one hospital, then a rehab facility, and now another hospital. she's become very seriously ill, to the point where my mother was afraid my aunt wouldn't survive. though she's doing OK these last few days.
the intensive care unit is a very scary place.
I have to admit, it was horrible seeing my aunt lying there, with all those machines going. part of me really wanted to run away. but I didn't.
interestingly, it's my sister, not my mother, who has taken the lead in dealing with the hospital personnel, who talks with the floor nurses to see how my aunt is doing. my mother speaks to the doctors to make the life-or-death decisions, my mother signs consent forms as next of kin, but it's my sister who really knows what's going on with my aunt. as I said, my mother is worn to a frazzle, and my sister is assuming some of the burden that would otherwise fall on my mother....
and I am seeing a glimpse of the future....
today I want to look at the other end of the spectrum.
my mother is worn to a frazzle lately, dealing with the health problems of her younger sister.
it started on February 5. my aunt was not feeling well, and made an appointment to see her doctor. she was on her way to the doctor's office when she took a bad fall -- face first onto the sidewalk -- and broke her nose. the paramedics brought her to the hospital, and she hasn't been home since -- first one hospital, then a rehab facility, and now another hospital. she's become very seriously ill, to the point where my mother was afraid my aunt wouldn't survive. though she's doing OK these last few days.
the intensive care unit is a very scary place.
I have to admit, it was horrible seeing my aunt lying there, with all those machines going. part of me really wanted to run away. but I didn't.
interestingly, it's my sister, not my mother, who has taken the lead in dealing with the hospital personnel, who talks with the floor nurses to see how my aunt is doing. my mother speaks to the doctors to make the life-or-death decisions, my mother signs consent forms as next of kin, but it's my sister who really knows what's going on with my aunt. as I said, my mother is worn to a frazzle, and my sister is assuming some of the burden that would otherwise fall on my mother....
and I am seeing a glimpse of the future....
Hugs to you. It is scary stuff, and it's not an easy road.
ReplyDeleteAnd you speak from experience, suzanne...I know you're dealing with the same stuff....
ReplyDelete