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.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Magic 8 Ball
I had the opportunity to teach a children's workshop during February vacation week. The Weebles had a doctor's appointment scheduled for that week, and I called them to make sure there were no other appointments scheduled for the day I was given for the workshop.
Dad couldn't find his appointment book. While he tore the house apart, Ma talked to me.
"I thought you would show up today. I need you."
"No, not today, I told you maybe Friday, and that depends on what time the guy who pumps the septic system shows up. What do you need?" I'm thinking 24 more cans of beets to keep the 24 cans she has company.
"I ran out of my prescription."
"Today?"
"No, Saturday." I sighed heavily and looked to the heavens. I could hear Dad in the background speaking in tongues, and I had the urge to utter a few phrases. "Why didn't you call over the weekend?"
"I thought you would show up."
Third base! I debate about telling her I haven't perfected the art of mind reading yet, but I'm close. "I can ask Himself to swing by the pharmacy and get the pills for you."
"No, I have to take the paper to the pharmacy to have it filled. Your father can't find his appointment book, and the paper was in his book." She proceeded to tell me how Dad wouldn't be able to find his....um....head without a mirror and a flashlight.
So, looks like an emergency shuttle run on Friday, if the septic guy shows up early. Hopefully, Dad will have found his appointment book by then. My Magic 8 ball says: Don't count on it.
You need the patience of a saint and a good sense of humour in such circumstances.
ReplyDeleteFinding the funny is a must
DeleteI remember dealing with my Mom (not Dad, Mom insisted on taking care of him) and her running out of things. And not saying anything. I hope I can stay independent for a long time. Raining at your house this morning?
ReplyDeleteHimself said not much rain here. I was at Teague's and we had downpours between 10:30 and noon!
DeleteThis makes me wonder how the kids are going to talk about me when I'm gone.......🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteThey will have some funny memories of you
DeleteI think it's so cool that you kept a journal or diary or what have you....on these days long past. I love your humor although back then it probably didn't feel too funny at the time. Wondering how long this kept up with your parents. Maybe you wrote that somewhere, but I probably didn't see it. I can really only relate to helping my sister when she had her stroke and her husband with Alzheimers. Laura couldn't speak right after the stroke when she came home -...she would say odd things and poor Ken her husband who was hard of hearing would respond to something Laura said and it wouldn't make sense either. She would get so frustrated she would yell at him and poor guy didn't know what to do because what she said didn't make sense. . I finally had to send them off to different bedrooms until they behaved, lolol. It was comical for me but not for them. I didn't want her getting agitated and having another stroke (which happened after three weeks of being home the first time).
ReplyDeleteI took care of my parents from 2003 when Ma had her stroke. In 2011, I had to put them in a nursing home. So there were visits and care team meetings though the nursing home arranged the care team meetings for both of them back to back. Which was a huge help to me. They passed away in 2013. Dad went first in August, followed by Ma in November.
Deletewow, that's a long time. They were blessed to have you taking care of things. Interesting they passed so close together.
DeleteThis sounds really tough.
ReplyDeleteThere were days when I wanted to pull my hair out.
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