I was reminded recently to remember the "we" instead of the "I". I've been focused on the "I" lately instead of the "we", through no ones fault but my own. But it is the "we" that needs the focus, never the "I". I write this blog about Dad and the experience continuing after his stroke. I rarely write about Mom, yet she is a huge part of the equation. Dad cannot take care of Mom anymore, something he had maintained prior to his stroke. I've been doing it the last two years, under the illusion that she was able to help take care of herself. Illusions are just that, illusions and not real.
Mom had a sugar low tonight. A sugar low that required a 911 phone call, incoherent sugar low. A sugar low we dealt with only one other time about nine months ago, when at work I called to see how everything was going and realized Mom was in a sugar low only to then realize she wasn't able to get to something to fix it so I had to leave work, calling 911 on my way home. Was the sentence really that long? Yes yes it was.
I am ok with taking care of my parents, now taking active care of both of them. It is still not a nursing home. It is still better than a nursing home. I do it because this is what you do with those you love, whether your parent, your partner, your child, your friend. It is something I love doing. I know people that do this with regards to each scenario mentioned. My friend Pete, whom I've recently reconnected with comes to mind immediately, having taken care of both his mother an father during different periods. Then there's my friend Mindy, truly a gift on earth and caregiver to her ex husband who had a stroke similar to Dad's. These are the selfless people I think about and admire. These are the individuals I am blessed to know.
Mom is now not allowed to take her insulin unless given to her, based on her numbers. It is not a dig against her. It is to help her, protect her. It is for the best. It is not "something else on my plate". It is just something I know I do without question and what many people I have been fortunate enough to know do without question. It is just what you do.
Mom had a sugar low tonight. A sugar low that required a 911 phone call, incoherent sugar low. A sugar low we dealt with only one other time about nine months ago, when at work I called to see how everything was going and realized Mom was in a sugar low only to then realize she wasn't able to get to something to fix it so I had to leave work, calling 911 on my way home. Was the sentence really that long? Yes yes it was.
I am ok with taking care of my parents, now taking active care of both of them. It is still not a nursing home. It is still better than a nursing home. I do it because this is what you do with those you love, whether your parent, your partner, your child, your friend. It is something I love doing. I know people that do this with regards to each scenario mentioned. My friend Pete, whom I've recently reconnected with comes to mind immediately, having taken care of both his mother an father during different periods. Then there's my friend Mindy, truly a gift on earth and caregiver to her ex husband who had a stroke similar to Dad's. These are the selfless people I think about and admire. These are the individuals I am blessed to know.
Mom is now not allowed to take her insulin unless given to her, based on her numbers. It is not a dig against her. It is to help her, protect her. It is for the best. It is not "something else on my plate". It is just something I know I do without question and what many people I have been fortunate enough to know do without question. It is just what you do.
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