Aug 11, 2014
Supermoon and updates
These shots were taken last night.
No cropping, no editing whatsoever.
I couldn’t believe that I had 150 shots still in my camera. I guess I’m managing to take the photos but not get them downloaded nor posted. Hopefully I will be able to start spending more time on the computer. I saw my eye doctor last Friday and the good news is that my eye is greatly improved so now I am tapering off of the steroid eye drops and will continue with the others. It is great news as I was concerned about my eyesight. Our highs of 95F continue as does the smoke in the air. This is a very unusual summer with the weeks on end of heat. Many regional parks have been shut down to protect them from fire. Just too many careless people out there.
I so appreciate your comments and emails about my Dad. Thanks to the world of technology that we live in I am receiving photos of my Dad on a daily basis. It really helps me stay connected and makes me realize how frail he has become since I last saw him the end of April. Sadly I have to tell you that my father had yet another fall, Friday lunchtime, this time right next to his hospital bed. He was trying to put his lunch tray away without using his walker. He likes everything to be just so and very tidy. Needless to say he was rushed to X-ray and he has no broken bones but he certainly is sore and shaken up and his breathing has been affected. My youngest sister Lise arrived just as he was taken away to X-ray and threw a very loud conniption fit. Not helpful at all.
Fortunately she called me and continued her rant and I was able to find about the fall. I called the charge nurse and apologized on behalf of the family for her behavior ( she just wasn’t thinking and erupted ). At that point I finally was able to speak with an MD. He didn’t apologize but said there was nothing to report to me or the family until that afternoon so he didn’t bother to call me back. We had a long 45 minute chat and I got all the facts. Dad needs open heart surgery to have a valve replaced but he could not withstand the surgery. Three heart specialists consulted and came to the conclusion that he may be a candidate for a new procedure. Trans catheter aortic heart valve replacement has only been performed throughout the world since 2012. There are only so many hospitals in Canada and the USA that do this. Fortunately there is a team of 3 heart surgeons that do this in Edmonton at the University of Alberta Hospital. Dad would need to be transferred there but first he needs to have an angiogram to see if he is a candidate for the procedure. Needless to say there are many risks involved plus Dad’s lungs and renal impairment may prohibit the procedure. The first step is the angiogram which was scheduled for today which has not happened yet. After that there will be many consults between the medical team and finally one with Dad and the family when a decision will be made.
As you can see I have been fairly busy. Fortunately I am able to keep our business running at the same time. Some of you feel that I should just drop everything and fly to Edmonton. I see that as a waste of my time, I can continue to be constructive here until such time that I will fly to see my Dad. Right now sitting at his bedside waiting for tests and consults can take another week. Once a medical decision has been made then I will go. We have no idea how long the wait will take for a transfer to the other hospital. If it is 2 -3 weeks and Dad is going to stay where he is while waiting then there is no need for me to rush there right now. However if they send Dad home, then I will be on the next plane. I don’t think he can stay on his own. Enough for now, back to work. Thanks for checking in. I am trying to get back to my daily posts but family comes first. For instance I received 2 calls and 10 emails from my brother yesterday so my time is limited.
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It is a stressful time for you dealing with your own as well as your dad’s medical issues. For what it is worth, I think you are handling it best by staying home and taking care of business for now. Remember to take time for yourself and to relax.
~ thanks Croft, I appreciate that. I hope to find an hour with a book and a glass of vino pinot grigio at the end of the day.
~ love your hugs Jean 🙂
~ Cheapchick, welcome to the comment section of my blog. That is exactly what I mean. Plus when I go, I am likely going to be there from 4 to 8 weeks. Colin and I are talking about not going to Mexico this winter. Right now it is one day at a time.
Hugs!
Only you know when you are prepared to fly to Edmonton. Anyone who is self-employed knows you cannot just drop everything when life happens. That and you may be needed later when things change/get more serious, not to say they aren’t already. You have siblings there for your Dad’s immediate needs and you are helping plenty where you are. Disregard what others are saying and go with your heart.
Hope things improve for you. I also have the care for an elderly parent (Mom 87 years old) and can relate to what you are going through. She still lives on her own but requires me for all her shopping and appointments. You are at least lucky because you have other siblings to rely on. What we do for winter vacations, is two week all-inclusives once or twice a year to Mexico. Maybe you can do something like that this year and that way you don’t have to give up your Mexico experience altogether this year. The cost is probably comparable, only the time is much shorter. We are going again December 5-19th and hopefully can find another good deal (cheap!!!) February 2015. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Thanks Susan, just going to take it one day at a time. Happy to hear that you have managed to work vacation time in for yourselves. We would never fly because of the dogs and they don’t do well at all with other people. Hard to get them to leave the yard with someone for even a walk. Sadly we have spoilt them. I’ll know more in a week or two.
Nice to hear from you Sandy. Glad you liked the photos, many have much better but these were form a small point and shoot camera. You are right, each family is different and deals with things in their own fashion.
Photos of the moon are beautiful.
It is never easy when we have to take care of our aging parents and many of us have done that. The decisions you make are what is best for you and your family and what others think is less important or of no importance at all. Good luck, Contessa, you weigh every decision you make and your Dad and family are so fortunate to have you on their team.
We’re going through a similar problem right now here at home with a family member. It’s very time consuming and there is really nothing you can do being there. It is a waiting game.
We’re thinking of you and sending prayers your way, that is the best thing we can all do right now. Try and take it easy, make a few minutes for yourself throughout the day. Lots of energy going your way. Colin is giving you wonderful support I am sure of that.
~ Hola Chris, sorry to hear about your problems. Such a trying time but then they were there for us as children and now it is our turn. Colin is doing the best he can but is working 19 hours per days while he can while I am here. Thanks for sending your energy but one of your hugs mean the most.
~ Thanks George. I actually managed lunch at 5 PM and now at 6:30 PM plan on a relaxing bath with a book and a glass of wine. I was just accused by a sib of doing something bad but how can that be when I’m not even there? I am strong and I am my father’s daughter and can handle it all. But I think a second and maybe third glass of wine might be in order this evening.
These family issues v=can sure take a lot out of you, Good luck and get your rest.
A little late here on the news of your Dad, sorry that he is having a tough time. I am hoping that he will improve and that the doctor’s will soon figure out what their best option for him will be. Glad to hear that your eyes are improving. You will know when it’s the right time to go and see your Dad, as Croft said you also need to look after yourself and take some time to relax.
Ruth
It’s bad enough that the lot of us are getting old and brittle, but when you then throw aging parents into the mix. Gah! I miss both my parents at times, but I certainly don’t miss the thought of having to deal with “all that”.
Keep your chin up.