Big news Dave – I’ve moved my parents in with me this past Saturday. I had three medical emergencies in my family in 5 weeks, two with my father alone, and after the first one with him, I asked them again, as I have for the past two years, if they would please move in with me into my four bedroom ranch here. They finally said yes. With the first spell, Dad fell flat on his face in my driveway on cement, acquiring 14 stitches above his right eye and breaking his nose in two different places. Nothing other than bruising other than that, so he was quite lucky at 87!!!
Before moving them in, Dad was rushed to the hospital a little over a week ago with convulsions and a fever of nearly 106. He ended up having sepsis, a life threatening infection in his blood stream. We were lucky he survived this and seems normal again, as normal as he can be with dementia (but not Alzheimers). The third emergency was in between the two with my oldest son who is type 1 diabetic and also has Addison’s disease, both life threatening auto immune diseases. He’s not used to being really active, and forgot to eat enough one day and had an extreme low that not even his Glucagon emergency injection could bring him back so we had to call EMS and even at that, it took a while. I was so afraid he was in a coma that he wouldn’t come out of, but we were truly blessed.
The move with mom and dad went well. I’ve been crazy busy preparing my home for them. My handy man will come Dec. 7 and 8 to install grab bars in bathrooms, a railing on the the other side of the basement steps so they have two to hang onto, and a high rise toilet in the bathroom across the hall from their bedroom on main floor. We’ll share the expense since these safety upgrades will only benefit me if I’m able to stay in my home when I’m my parents’ age.
Dec. 7 the movers also bring about 15 pieces from their home to mine. I’ll put my dining room table and chairs in the finished basement and mom will use it for her sewing table, and her set including a buffet and china cabinet will go in my dining room. Dresser, a couple of chairs, two desks, filing cabinet and small end tables will come as well so that they feel at home here.
My sister Emile flew home from Texas to help out at the hospital and will be here until Dec. 2nd. She’s been a Godsend.
Today we look at my oldest son’s condo he purchased prior to marrying in May. The wedding will be on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th).
Internet service cancels for me today as mom and dad’s will transfer here – they have a better deal plus have a landline I want them to keep. That all takes place tonight and tomorrow morning. Much going on and my head is dizzy at times, but I really wanted to try this for now. If I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, my parents have excellent long term care insurance and we can hire help in the home for sure, or go to plan B if necessary.
Feel free to share all this with our classmates.
Blessings to you and yours.
Ruth