It Could Have Been Worse But I'm Blessed That It Wasn't

Hi to all of my readers,

Not sure how many there are of you out there but I’ve had some emails from a few of you wanting to know where I’ve been.  It’s been 14 days since I’ve posted.

Well, the short story is that I’ve been exactly nowhere.

My parents have both been sick so it has been around the clock care for both of them.

My mom got sick on Christmas day (ended up being bronchitis).

My dad got sick the day after Christmas (ended up testing positive for the flu).

It has been a long and tiring 20 days.

Except for 2 nights, I haven’t slept more than 4 hours in a row since 2 days before Christmas.

Last night, I actually slept a little over 6 consecutive hours with no interruptions.

It was glorious.

When Rob died, I didn't sleep an entire night for 2 weeks.

But during those agonizing nights, my mind only had to focus on me 

and how I could keep breathing until the next morning,

not do caretaking and medicine giving for 2 sick elderly parents.

And it has been 12 years since I’ve had a newborn 

and experienced those sleep deprived days.

I had forgotten what sleep deprived life looks like.

It’s really gray.

And this is even more gloomy because, at least with a newborn, 

you have that new baby feeling that is exhilarating.

My sister has come twice to give me a break.  She came on New Year’s Eve so I could hold my annual New Year’s Eve party and she stayed until the next day (which would have been my 21^st wedding anniversary).  During this time, I still had to help some because we were literally having to lift my dad from the chair to the portable commode.  He was too weak to stand on his own.  By the next day, though, the kids and I were able to leave to see a movie.

Mama and Daddy were doing some better by the second time she came so the kids and I went to a see another movie they had been wanting to see.

(Thank you, Joan, for coming and helping me keep my sanity)!

I could have never taken care of my parents throughout their illnesses without my children.

 They are well-versed in elder care.

Now they are also well-versed in SICK elder care.

I know I’m biased, but they really are the best children in the world.

None of them read my blog (unless I specifically tell them to) but just in case they do,

THANK YOU ANNA, WESLEY, AND LUKE for helping take care of your grandparents and for doing things no one your age should have to do.

Thank you for caring about your grandparents so much.

Thank you for loving them.

Mama is totally healed and back to normal.

Daddy is walking on his own now, only needing someone to be beside him to balance him. 

He is still FAR from his normal.

BUT he didn’t have to be hospitalized

(we were close to it for dehydration).

AND he is finally eating 3 meals a day.

He even knows what day of the week it is 1 out of 3 times asked.

He does not remember how sick he’s been unless we remind him.

So now that we’re on the upswing of things, 

I thought I would take the time answer those who have asked.

We are okay.

It has been rough.

And it certainly was not the way I had planned on spending my Christmas break.

I am very tired.

But I am also very blessed that healing is taking place.

It could have been worse.