More Stress

This is getting to be such a bummer to read, I'm sure. All I've had lately is bad news. Who wants to read that??? Not me! I don't blame you all if you don't want to either!

We had to have an ambulance come pick up my father in law Monday morning and take him to the hospital. He had been retaining lots of fluids and was wheezing, etc. He couldn't get enough air and was huffing and puffing. He's had heart problems and kidney problems for a long time. They haven't exactly said "congestive heart failure" but that's basically what it is. His heart's not functioning full capacity and neither are his kidneys.

He's doing better, but we can see a pattern here that may repeat itself, unfortunately. He's hoping to go home in a few days after getting rid of fluid and possibly some dialysis.

Our problem now is what to do with my mother in law. She has dementia and cannot remember where her husband is and why he's there. She can stay by herself for short periods of time, but has to call my husband and ask him where his dad is. I imagine they will have to move into assisted living in the next few weeks. That seems like the best solution at this point. She can't cook anymore or drive either. If my father in law is well enough to go home for awhile, we're going to get Meals on Wheels to come bring them a meal a day. I think we can take care of the rest. It's a wonderful organization - I used to be a volunteer when my daughter was little and she would go with me to take food to the shut-ins. They loved seeing a little one!

So, we've been pretty tied up with all that - running back and forth to the hospital and to hubby's mom's house and also my folks' house. We're going to be real busy for awhile, so if I'm not around for awhile, please don't forget about me!

We've worked on our garden some, but will have to care for it in between the folks. We've been so blessed to have all our parents all these years, but it can't last forever. My mom is off her feet for 6 weeks letting her knee heal, so I've been helping her with chores and cooking. My dad EVEN MADE A CAKE!!! I have never known my Dad to make a cake! He grills and can cook a little, but he wanted a chocolate cake the other day and mom can't do it. So mom sat in her wheelchair and coached him on how to do it and it turned out great! I'm sure he thought it was the best cake he'd ever eaten! I bet the kitchen was a mess, too! My dad is not known for his tidy-ness!

On a brighter note - my middle son is planning on doing a foreign study program this summer in Great Britain. He's been rather instrumental in getting the program running along with his Sociology professor at his university, and they gave him a $2,500 scholarship to go towards his trip! I'm so excited for him and so proud! This is the kid who in high school did nearly nothing towards his grades. He's made a wonderful turn-around in the last couple of years. I'm happy about the scholarship $$, but more than that, I'm so proud that he's finally come into his own and is making great strides to becoming a productive, independent adult!

I've been reading all your lovely blogs and trying to keep up. I'll be back from time to time, I HOPE, to check on you. I miss you all when I am busy and away - later... Vickie