First entry of 2011. I had intended to make an entry before today, but I've been busy dealing woth life, the universe and everything.
On the home front, hubby and I are adopting a cute little puppy. He's a German Shepard mix and his name is Elmer, Elmer Fudd to be precise. He has a brother named Pepe LePew, and we were tempted to adopt both of them, but decided that two 50 pound dogs would be a bit much, especially when we already have 2 cats. Well, at least hubby won't be the only male in the house anymore.
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Elmer Fudd
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Isn't he cute? We chose to get him from an abandoned animal shelter and he is currently being fostered. Adopting a pet from these guys, is like adopting a baby; they are even doing a home inspection. I'm pretty cool with this, actually. Anyway, I've bought him his bowls, a snuggle toy or two, some chew toys and his collar and leash. The collar is a Harley Davidson collar, naturally. When he gets bigger, I want to get him a leather studed collar.
It will be interesting to see how the kittehs react to Elmer, and I'm sure will make for interesting blog posts in the near future.
Mom had her kneew replaced on 12/20, and this past Monday she fell and the entire incision burst open. Monday night was spent in the ER while mom had emergency surgery. It was touch and go for a while, becuse we had to wait to see if the Fibula was broken; she'd have lost the leg if it were. Happily it wasn't and her surgeon was able to fix the prosthesis.
She lost a lot of blood from the fall. She had been home alone and doing quite well, when the foot to her walker got caught on the door frame to her bathroom. She even fell onto her good knee (which was likely what kept her from breaking the leg). Since the medic alert necklace didn't work, mom had to drag herself across the bathroom and into the bedroom to get to the phone. I'm so amazed at her presence of mind to do that! So she goes through all of this, blood gushing everywhere, gets to the cell phone and guess what? She can't get through to 911! We have no clue why the phone is restricted from dialing 911, but I'm going to find out why!
Thank GOD for mother's amazing neighbor, Mary! Mom called dad, who told her to call Mary. Mom called Mary and Mary rushed over, let herself in with her key and walked into a horrible sight. But she called 911 and started to try to stop the bleeding and held mom's hand till EMS arrived. She even drove mom's purse to the hospital and was willing to wait till one of us kids or dad got there. Then she said she'd clean up the blood and tissue, which she didn't have to do, as my brother in law (who pukes at the sight of blood) did...the BIL is amazing! I know that wasn't easy on him and he's getting a HUGE hug when I see him again!
God Bless the wonderful EMS crew that responded to the call. They know mother pretty well as she's called them over the last few years, and they have always taken such great care of her. They know just what to say to her, just when how to calm her and put her at ease.
So Monday night was emergency surgery and mom spent Monday night and all of Tuesday and part of Wednesday in the ICU due to complications. I was and am still worried about her, although as of yesterday she was alert and eating like a teenager. She has had 6 units of blood since Monday. Wow.
Wow.
I think that what has hit me the most is that my parents are aging. I know that they're in their 60's, which really isn't old, but I still think of them as they were when I was younger. They are so active, mom was especially before her knees turned to crap...and she will be again when she's better, but the events of December and this past week, have really opened my eyes.to the fact that my parents are aging. Daddy is planning on retiring later this year. Mike and I have decided, and daddy agrees that the door to the water closet needs to be widened so that mom doesn't have to maneuver the walker in a manner that can cause another accident. There are other things as well.
The thought that my sisters and I will have ageing parents to care for is daunting and scary. I don't think of them as old...I've never considered their mortality before now. I know that one day I will lose my parents and the prospect of this scares me, I don't think of it often either, as it upsets me. But, at the risk of sounding blase', I know that this is part of life and I will deal with it when it happens.
All life is a learning experience. Lessons are given on a daily basis, some easy others hard. You are sometimes taught about loss at an early age, sometimes not. Yet, I believe that you ae never handed more than you can handle, even if you aren't (or think you aren't) ready to deal with something. So in this vein of thought, and now that I've had my required crying jag, I've put on "my big girl panties" (to quote my friend Jason) I'm slowly learning to deal with this. I will take it as it comes. I will be thankful that my husband is so supportive, that even though a second income is needed, he loves and respects my parents and knows that they need me to take care of mom for a while. I'm so very, very thankful that I don't have a job outside of the home at present.
I am also struck by this thought, as I end this entry; in the olden days, children took care of their parents as they aged. Extended families are really a thing of the past as lives have gotten busier. The growth of the nursing home industry shows this. I am, in a way, honored that I can take care of my parents when the time comes. They took such wonderful care of me, raised me well, loved me and didn't kill me over the stupid crap I did as a teenager. I think it fitting that I return the love and care, the respect. Hopefully, when my tiurn comes, my kids will return the blessing.
