Today I picked up my dad and we went to see my mom together. Before we went to see my mom, I had to stop by the hospital pharmacy to get a prescription for myself. As we were walking down the hall, a man stopped and asked me how my mom was doing. At first, I didn't recognize him and was searching my brain, trying to put a name to a face. Then I realized it was the surgeon who removed my mom's gall bladder and kidney. I didn't recognize him at first because he was wearing street clothes. I've only seen him in his surgeon clothes. I was very surprised that he would ask...that he would even remember who I am and who my mom is. I told him that she was doing better, but she kind of lost it on Wednesday. He said that often happens after surgery because of the meds...he said he'd been on meds before that made him act weird. I also told him that she was getting started on physical therapy and he said that was good. That's about it. I just thought that was kind of cool that he would remember and care about my mom and I. I wonder if other surgeons do that.
My mom told us that they found a couple of fractures around her calf and foot area. She said that she had been fitted for a cast. I thought this was odd...why didnt they find this earlier? I asked the nurse about it and she said that she didn't have any fractures, but that she was having trouble flexing her left foot up. The nurse had a specific name for it but I don't remember what it was, something like a dropped foot.
Our visit with my mom wasn't anything to write home about (or I guess I should say write in a blog about). It was pretty typical...we just watched television a bit and chatted. The hospital has started to become my home away from home. It's as if when I go to see my mom, I am going to my mom's house. She was doing really well though. She was back to being my mom again mentally, but she was still on all of the meds...the antibiotic, the morphine, the potassium, the feeding tube, etc. She was eating, which makes me very happy. She is still having her dressing changed 3 times a day and still has pain around her kidney area...of course! She just had surgery a few days prior. The physical therapists didn't stop by though. I am so proud of her for being so brave though. Except for Wednesday, she was handling everything just fine. I would have been a total mess.
After our visit, my dad and I went to the bank and had my name put on their checking account so I could better help them with their finances. I feel like I have so much responsibility now. Of course Jeff is helping. Without him, their finances would be as much of a mess as mine are.
This is really starting to get to me though. The worst is over, but I'm SO EXHAUSTED and stretched SO thin. Between seeing my mom, taking care of my dad and the chores at their house, taking care of their finances, and then taking care of the stuff here in my life, my mind is spinning and the rest of my body feels like it's about to give out. I keep telling Jeff, "I can't do this anymore!" or "I can't deal with/handle this anymore." He says he is tired of hearing me say that, because apparently I am. But that doesn't mean I have to continue to do so. But it's not really a choice I can make.
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