In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.
At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
On a Serious Note
As much as I laugh about OPD, it's also a cover up. It's so hard to watch your parents age and in the aging fail in health. Through illness they are no longer able to do and enjoy some of the activities they once enjoyed. Sometimes they focus more on what they have lost instead of what they still have. I suppose we are all guilty of that.
It's hard being the child and suddenly having to be parent to your parents. You worry did they leave the stove on, or forget medication, or will get into a car accident. They don't handle money as well as they once did. And it's hard to know the boundaries. How do you tell them to give up their independence by handing over the check book or the car keys? Most of all, you want to scream, "Not my monkey!" (translation: not my responsibility), but if not mine whose?
I'm not an evil person because I laugh about OPD. I'm scared. It might not be very long before someone drops a nursing home on me.
I bet you can imagine how thankful I was to have had my "little" Brother at my side in those times... No siblings for help in your place? A very late hug...
ReplyDeleteI have an older brother, but he considered taking care of my parents "women's work". It did make things easier for me. I didn't have to consult anyone or ask permission. I just told him after decisions were made. He liked it that way.
DeleteI think that's one of the hardest parts of your parents getting older is knowing none of us are that far behind. Life goes away too fast, doesn't it? Cold but sun. I'll take that. Can I hope for no more snow?
ReplyDeleteSunny and cold today, but no snow for us. The Cape might get an inch or two
DeleteAh, the circle of life....it sux.....(But we got through it. They raised us well.)
ReplyDeleteI hope we get taken care as well as we did for our parents.
DeleteIndeed CJ, it is not only scary, but inevitable. My mother was lucky she had a daughter (me) to be there for her pick up the pieces of her life she could not longer handle. NOT EASY for the parent or the child.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I only have one another (no children) so that is scary enough a thought. I will be turning 61 years old this Sunday and each year gets closer and closer. No more birthdays for ME LOL :-)
- Kim