Brrrrrg-Brrrrrg *** Dad's turn ***

Hello.

*** This is mom. Dad just went to the hospital. Can't talk but will call you later.

How are you doing mom?

I am fine. Got to go back into room with dad. I will call you later....

(sigh)



Hi, This is Phyllis. How are you?

I am fine. How are you? (Thinking all along, why is Phyllis calling me? She and her husband are friends to my parents so this must mean there is something wrong.)

I don't want you to panic and your mom does not want you to jump on a plane but she is in the hospital. I asked if I could call you because I thought you kids should know. You know your mom. Doesn't want to bother anyone.

I know. Thank you for calling me. What happened? Is she okay?

She said she just did not feel right. Felt sick and had a persistent and painful headache. Your dad went to the nursing home in the meantime, so we are going to grab some clothes for him and go visit.

Thank you for being such great friends to my parents, Phyllis. And thank you so much for calling. I will let my brother know. Again, thank you so much.

It is what friends do. We look out for each other.

So...
I called my mom at the hospital. She was on morphine so she was very tired. She established that she just did not feel right and it had been going on for a about a week or so. When she got up that morning, she got sick and had a headache. She thought it might pass so she showered and had her breakfast. It did not, so, she called the hospital. They came and picked her up. Since my dad is totally dependent on my mom, he had to go as well. They took them both and as my mom got checked in, my dad sat and waited. Then someone from the nursing home came and picked up my father because he needed his care and meds. Bottom line, both are in great care and it is still not clear what is going on with my mom. They are doing further testing that includes a stress test.
My mom is exhausted. She is 79 and has been in good health but since my dad's failing health over the last 4 years, she has been number one caretaker. That is a 24/7 job and I think she is just tired and stressed. So, this is where she ended up.
It is time to move on. Their hometown has a great retirement community and now they want and need to go. Unfortunately, the economy has made it hard for them to sell their house and, of course, they need to do that before they can move. However, I have been trying to come up with a plan to buy their house so they can move but now my property value has nothing to yield. And I have to hang on to my job or I won't have anything for my future... so rock and a hard spot.
Since when does getting older have to be such a challenge? Pride kept them from doing this 5 years ago when they first started talking about it. It had(has) a stigma attached that meant you were getting feeble and useless. But the good news is, there are more and more great communities popping up that are like Club Med for Seniors. Social and stimulating with continuing education classes to keep the mind engaged, trips and all kinds of activities. It is a good thing and with the aging Boomers hitting their peak, they seem to be smarter about the inevitable and are okay with making plans early.
So, this brings this line to mind: "...when you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."
Wait a minute... I have been doing that.... ;o)