Nov 13, 2014
QUE PASA!
There have been 5 showings of Dad’s condo in the past 40 hours. Three of them have been by the same couple. I will be seriously disappointed if I don’t get an offer tomorrow.
Yesterday I thought that Dad was on his way out of this world, he was totally confused, day to night, the month (January ) and my name ( Cleopatra ). Today he was very close to what he was a few weeks ago, joking and telling stories. He finished his last dose of a potent IV antibiotics last Thursday and when I Goggled it, I discovered that confusion was one of the side effects. Today we were discussing finances, world issues and memories and he was right on the button. Then they did another lung drain of 500 ml so who knows what tomorrow will bring. The procedure was painful and it should not be. I am going to suggest more frequent drains of 350 ml. A few weeks ago they were removing 1500 ml and 1000 ml, way too much.
So needless to say I have been rather occupied. Colin is happy with the efforts he made to keep our home from freezing so all is well. Actually that is not quite true, this morning I came within inches of a car wreck. There were 5 car lengths between myself and the vehicle in front. I saw him apply his brakes ( still dark at 7AM ) and I proceeded to do the same, only they did not brake. I was on a sheet of ice and skidding closer and closer. As I was repeatedly pumping the brake and getting closer and closer I cranked the wheel to the left ( instinct ) and suddenly I stopped, one inch from the bumper in front of me. I was extremely fortunate that no one was in the left lane next to me. Still very cold here….my water bottles were frozen solid when I got back into the van this afternoon after 8 hours inside.
Personally I am exhausted but still doing what I have to do. I continue to feel that I am doing the right thing by leaving Canada on the 27th in the RV. Two out of threes sibs think I am shirking my duties but I know ( as does Colin ) how hard I have been working both here in Edmonton and also at home in Kelowna. Needless to say I am likely to continue to be totally involved even while on the Isla.
It took a few days but I have worked out a system where I will be available 24/7 to my sibs and the hospital so that they can contact me while driving and on the road to Mazatlan. All at no charge them. Am I great or am I just good? There will be a 38 hour period where I cannot be reached but I don’t think that that will be the end of the world.
Colin is keeping busy working on my to do list and also sorting things out in the RV like a new water seal for the toilet and most importantly a new water pump. That was a lucky find. The kitchen sink was just a dribble but the bathroom sink was fine, first clue to a problem. Best be safe. We also always travel with an extra water pump. You just never know, especially in Mexico. Colin is also about to finish his last photo shoot tomorrow and then I can finally close the books. First I need to collect all those outstanding invoices. I am certain when I get back to Kelowna next week, I will be hitting the ground running. Hopefully the adrenaline will kick in and give the boost I need to get er done.
That is it for tonight, I am exhausted, need to eat and go to bed. 6:00AM comes fast. Actually I have become a fixture on the ward and end up helping the other patients when Dad is sleeping. I stopped a newly almost blind person from having a nasty accident and greet the patients by name. They are coming to me with their problems. Yes I loved nursing and I guess I still do. Honestly I could do it again in a snap but in reality I don’t think my body is young enough. Every night I do feel my aches and pains from over exertion but at the time of the action I just roll with the moment. I so admire those who are there 12 hours a day and just keep smiling and giving. Dad relies on them and most of them have come to love him. I have said it before and I say it again, it takes a special person to do that job. I don’t know if I could work in that environment day after day with the same patients who stay pretty much the same and remain so positive, Kudos to them.
Hmmm, is it just me or have any of you noticed that there seems to be less wine in a bottle 🙂
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I thin k the bottles are smaller in AB (haha) Take care. You are doing an awesome job and how often are the sibs relieving you?
mmm…Cleopatra, huh? You may regret ever leaking that one. haha! You have done an incredible job at taking care of Dad, and the only reason your sibs are saying you are shirking is because they know they can’t do it better! Hang in there!
Good luck with the sale of your Dad’s house. And hope you get to warmer weather soon.
Good luck with all your chores, everything will work out fine, I’m sure!
You are a saint. Someone had to say it. Can’t wait to buy you those margaritas. I’m thinking that we will have to drink them all at the same time! 🙂
Hats off Cleopatra! A good read, Mexico is on the horizon.