Per Usual As Of Late, A Lot Is Going On

[SiouzQ.]

Yeesh, I got through Balloon Fiesta (our busiest foot traffic time of year), and I have my wrist surgery (Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy) on Tuesday the 23rd. In the meantime, my 91 year old dad has had a significant heart event that has landed him in the ICU up in Seattle. He seems to be rallying for now, in good spirits, but they are probably installing a pacemaker tomorrow.

It's hard to know what to plan for - do I try to go up to Seattle for a quick weekend? I really, really do NOT want to reschedule my surgery because I have already been waiting a long, long time to get this thing done (and I really need to get it done because my wrist and hand are fast becoming useless).

I am still grieving for my daughter; it tends to hit me fairly often and in a variety of ways. I am also grieving for my ex-MIL (my daughter's other grandma). She has been recently diagnosed with dementia and is unable to care for my former cat I left her when I moved to New Mexico. Her son is taking the cat to the Humane Society this week - I cannot have the cat here, and even if I could, I have no way to get her anyway. It is what it is, but I feel very badly for the cat. I sure hope someone nice adopts her.

So many losses and changes this year. It makes me tired. I wish things would settle down for a bit but I have a feeling this year is just the start of the long bumpy ride of life that occurs when you are in the latter part of your '50's.

Thanks for listening, I appreciate it.

[bae]

I feel for you, it's that time of life for those of us in that age range.

Let me know if you need any Seattle-area support.

[Gardenarian]

That is a whole lot of hard stuff.

I would go ahead with the surgery. You need your hands.

Call your dad or write him, whatever works, and let him know he's in your thoughts. If he's having surgery, chances are you wouldn't be able to spend much quality time together anyhow.

And you do know, your ride is a lot bumpier than most. I hope it gets better.

[razz]

Bumpy rides are a challenge. Wishing you peace and a successful operation!

[CathyA]

I, too, would choose to keep the surgery date. I wonder if you have a relative that visits your dad and could do something like facetime/skype with him?
(((Hugs)))

[catherine]

Gosh, SiouzQ, you have had an incredibly horrible year. I wish you continued strength as you push through, and better days ahead.

[Tybee]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with the ulnar surgery and your dad's surgery at the same time. That comes at such a hard time. I would get my own surgery because with your dad, it is likely to be a long haul and you need your strength.

Sending hugs and prayers!

[SteveinMN]

I'll echo the urge to get the surgery. It's in the "put on your own mask first" school of thought. It sounds like you soon won't be able to do that much for yourself (for a while) without it, never mind help others. And, by all means, take the time it takes to be good to yourself. There's a lot of heavy stuff happening very quickly around you this year...

[SiouzQ.]

Luckily my dad's wife is a geriatric nurse so on a practical level she is really on top of things but emotionally, I am sure she is exhausted. Her daughters live in the area too and they are helping to keep us informed. With me in New Mexico, my sister back in Michigan and my brother in North Carolina, it feels like a big waiting game as when to get out there if things take a turn for the worse.

So, I guess I'll go about my day - I finally have two days off in a row and the gallery is closed too. I can't even remember when I had two days off with the exception of being back in Michigan for the memorial service. It's probably been since May, I think. I have a lot of errands to run in Santa Fe to get ready for next week , mainlyt buying frozen food that is easy to open and prepare one-handed.

[JaneV2.0]

It seems like often troubles arrive in bunches; I'm sure you'll get through this.
I fervently hope the cat lands on its feet--is the humane society a no-kill shelter there? I hope so.

[Teacher Terry]

Wow that is a lot happening at once. I also agree you need to get your surgery done. Your dad is in good hands and maybe you can provide support by phone until you can make a trip out there. So sorry you are experiencing all of this after the loss of your daughter.

[beckyliz]

Another vote for taking care of yourself. Sending you hugs, SiouzQ. You've had an incredibly rough time of it lately. Sounds like we're about the same age- stuff just wears you down more than it did 20-30 years ago.

[Gardnr]

Luckily my dad's wife is a geriatric nurse so on a practical level she is really on top of things but emotionally, I am sure she is exhausted. Her daughters live in the area too and they are helping to keep us informed. With me in New Mexico, my sister back in Michigan and my brother in North Carolina, it feels like a big waiting game as when to get out there if things take a turn for the worse.

So, I guess I'll go about my day - I finally have two days off in a row and the gallery is closed too. I can't even remember when I had two days off with the exception of being back in Michigan for the memorial service. It's probably been since May, I think. I have a lot of errands to run in Santa Fe to get ready for next week , mainlyt buying frozen food that is easy to open and prepare one-handed.

There are times in our lives where we must put first priority on ourselves. i believe SiouzQ this is one of those times for you Self-care is in your best interest. your wrist and your heart and your soul need healing. I wish I was closer to provide meals for a few weeks. Is there a way to do that for you?

[SiouzQ.]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I am lucky to live in a great little community that will provide whatever help I need. Plus my boyfriend will be able to help.

Today I have to go back to Santa Fe and do laundry, library and grocery shopping. I am buying a bunch of frozen meals to eat, and easy-to-open cans of soup. The things I will need help with at first are doing the dishes and cleaning up things. Luckily I live in such a small space none of that is hard or time-consuming. Later in the weekend I will do a good cleaning and vacuuming.

My dad is hanging in there. He had a permanent pace maker installed yesterday and made it through the night with no blood pressure crashes. I am waiting for word from my sister about whether she is going out there this weekend (ironically, she just had surgery on her left hand because she fell and broke it last week). I was teasing her about taking over my roll as family klutz. After my surgery we will both have unusable left hands.

The thing about my dad is that at 91 years old, and after having such a significant heart event, that I feel like even if he pulls through this this time I am keenly aware that it is entirely probable that he will never really "recover" from all this and that we are facing the fact that this is the road to the inevitable. I would like to see him one more time; I just hope it doesn't have to be this weekend. He is in good spirits in spite of everything and cracking his horribly dry jokes apparently, making everyone laugh.

[SteveinMN]

[Dad] is in good spirits in spite of everything and cracking his horribly dry jokes apparently, making everyone laugh.
Attitude counts for a lot. I hope the timing works out for all of you.

[Float On]

You are keeping a lot of plates spinning. I think it's a good idea to take care of yourself and get through your surgery and then schedule a time later you can go to see your dad.