I applied for my Colorado driver's license on February 5, 2020. I have not yet received it so I went on-line to track down its whereabouts. Turns out it was mailed to me February 10, but returned as "un-deliverable." I double checked the address on my temporary card and it is correct. So, I can't get a hold of the DMV because offices are closed until May 18. I then will need an appointment to go into the office to retrieve it. They've got all my contact information, but of course have not contacted me. A bother, but small in comparison to the next bit of news.
Yesterday was my parents' 65th wedding anniversary. I called around lunchtime and got no answer. Odd. But I didn't panic. Maybe they were out walking their hallway at the retirement center.
Then I got the call at 4 pm from my dad: my almost 86 year old mom is in the hospital after having fallen down and hitting her head. Paramedics were needed to get her up, and they took her to the Emergency Room since her hip hurt as well and she's already suffered two broken hips over the last eleven years. Of course Dad can't go into the hospital with her and that is a critical danger for her. She cannot tolerate opioids of any kind, but this is on the medical information sheet the center gave the paramedics as they wheeled her out. She also is cognitively impaired as a result of Parkinson's, and becomes terribly paranoid and panicked in a hospital setting.
My thoughts began to race about all the terrible possibilities that lie ahead. Luckily, and thankfully, dad was able to pick her up at the end of the day and take her home. Whew. We worry about mom; she's very weak from almost thirty years with Parkinson's, and any chest infection would likely kill her. She's also becoming very difficult to move, even for trained caregivers, because she is so stiff and weak of limb. If and when she can no longer be cared for in their apartment she would need to be moved to the skilled nursing unit. In this time of COVID-19, people in that unit cannot receive any visitors. For my mother this would heighten her dementia and cause untold suffering. I was spinning out with worry that she would have to undergo surgery and recover in the SN unit and it would be a nightmare for her.
This is the same unit where my husband died in January this year. They take good care of people there, but it is still something no one would want. There is much sadness, suffering, and death there. Luckily, Steve was there for just over a week. He hated it. It was a blessed relief when he quietly slipped away in the wee hours of the morning.
So now that I've depressed the living shite out of you, how about some soothing music?
Happy May Day! I remember making paper cones of flowers for my mother on May Day when I was in elementary school. Did you do that?
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Oh my. I'm glad she was able to go home. So much added stress that nobody needs.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Sharon!
DeleteOh Tara what a sad story about your mom. I am so relieved that she is home now with your dad. This is so not the time to be in the hospital or a nursing home. I hope that she stays comfortable and okay at home. And I hope you get your driver's license. Oy, all of this happening at once. It's crazy. Thank you so much for the music. Take care there, Tara. Thinking of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteShe's still sore, but wanted to get up and dressed yesterday, so that is a good sign. It's just so important for her to stay out of the hospital at this time!
DeleteThat must be very stressful for you and your family Tara. Parkinson's is such a terrible disease but how amazing is your Mum that she didn't break anything! My father had Parkinson's but that wasn't the cause of his death at 77 in 2010. It was terribly sad - he had always been such a fit man and he really looked after his health. Like your Mum he had a fall but unlike her, broke his hip. He was terrifed of any medical procedure and never even went to the dentist. I am pretty sure he starved himself to death waiting for the hip operation. I regret that I never got to say goodbye but given the Parkinson's and impending surgery, I think he made the right choice for himself. I hope your Mum passes peacefully in her sleep one night. I think it's the way most of us would rather go.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dr. Michelle. That's my wish for her, too. A peaceful passing in the middle of the night. I think it's amazing she has hung in there for so many years. But her heart is strong, and she shows no signs of checking out anytime soon. I worry, because it takes so much effort to care for her daily, and my dad has heart problems and he really shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting, which he does at night when she needs to go to the toilet. They had a night nurse for awhile when his heart problems were newly diagnosed, but he's given that up because he thought it was too much of a hassle. Sigh.
DeleteYes, Tara, no sugar coating here, this was a sad post starting with the missing and possibly misdirected license, but more so with the news about your mom and her fall. My late uncle, who I never knew well, also suffered with the ravages of Parkinson's. i can well imagine the toll on your parents, especially your dad caring for your mom. It's good news that she was able to return home because she is better off there now than in a hospital where no one could be with her. I hope she will continue to want to get up and get dressed - all good signs.
ReplyDelete