The refrigerator is still full of food, and the floor needs to be swept. I’ve washed almost all the linens, and we are in the process of swapping the oranges and golds and browns for the reds and greens of Christmas. The rented tables and chairs have been returned.
My youngest sister and her youngest daughter came to visit yesterday. We had planned to start decorating Elegante Mother’s rooms for the holidays. They could only stay overnight one night before they had to return home. Unfortunately, around noon, EM started complaining of pain. She has an inguinal hernia that has been bothering her off and on for the past few months. The doc has advised waiting this out as long as possible, rather than doing surgery now.
We helped EM to walk a bit. We had her try sitting on a firmer chair. I gave her some over the counter pain meds. We helped her to bed, thinking that she would be more comfortable stretched out. She slept, soundly for three hours, and when she woke, was still in pain. When we decided that we would drive her to the ER, we couldn’t get her on her feet.
We’re getting to know the paramedics here. I know some of those faces, even if I haven’t learned their names yet. They did a nice job of getting EM to the hospital, where they did a CT scan. There’s nothing serious going on that requires being admitted to a hospital. We are supposed to maintain her on prescription pain killers for the time being, in the hope that the pain will ease without surgery.
I don’t know about you, but waiting at the hospital for test results wears me out. We were only away from home about five hours across the dinner hour. We were lucky she got to the test fairly quickly, and the results were available within 30 minutes, but by the time we all got home, and had something to eat. I was dead on my feet. To make matters worse, all the standing the past five days has been very hard on my feet and ankles. I needed to spend this afternoon with my legs elevated.
We have added a second caregiver to our entourage. I need more time in the office, so EM needs to have someone care for her. We have one care giver who is with us four days a week. We had arranged for a young woman to be here two more days a week, and EM seems to like her. We’ve asked her to come tomorrow, so that I can finish getting the house cleared and back to normal.
I hope the medication does the trick. It’s really tough to see your parent in pain. She’s gone off to bed for the night, and I’ll check in on her before we close down the house for the night.
I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. My thanks for your cards and notes.
Arrrgh!!!
It's just my state of mind!
Sorry to hear that EM is in pain. I hope the meds do the trick. Just remember, to be effective, give her the meds on the schedule perscribed, not only just when she has pain. There is much less suffering that way and, contrary as it sounds, less medication is needed to control the pain.
My neighbor learned this the hard way 🙁
This reminds me so much of what we went through with my dad and now my mother. I agree with Bogie about the meds. These will be difficult times for you and the first thing you need to remember is to take care of yourself so that you can be a more effective caregiver. No one can afford for you to be wore out, your the glue that holds everyone together. JMHO of course.
Goodness, Buffy–It must be a terrible experience to visit the emergency room (knock on wood–I’ve never been to one with anyone); and, I know how difficult it is to cope with your Elegant Mother’s situation. If we could only will away the pain, for her, and if we could only will some rest for you and your lower appendages. I’ll be thinking of you, your EM, and your Dear Husband, and joining Bogie & Janeywan in hoping that the meds kill the pain for EM.
As we discussed….hugs, hugs, hugs…..and more hugs…..Love, Joy
Ladies, Thank you, so very much, for your advice and kindness. It’s wonderful to know that there are people who care what’s happening here, who have experienced this.
Cop Car, waiting in the ER is not fun. I’ve done it all together too many times over the past 15 years, and I would really like not to do it again. You’re very fortunate not to have shared that particular experience, and I hope that you never will. May the Cop Car Clan keep it’s good health!
Janeywan, I know you are right about my needing to see to my own health. I’m blessed to have a husband who is very supportive, but I need to be the main care giver, so your advice is well taken.
Bogie, thanks for the heads up on the need for keeping to the schedule with her pain meds. I hope this will be short-lived, that she won’t have to treat it long, but I suspect it will be a recurring situation.
Joy..HUGGSSSSSSSSS back…..Thanks, so much! I really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with you this weekend.
buffy, this is just awful. i can only reiterate what’s already been said.
when my legs are tired i coat them in aloe gel or vicks vapour rub to cool them down. give it a try buffy, it just might help.