
Or as my brother said today, "2020-too."
I had meant to just take a short break, enjoy the boys being home, make some merry, etc. Those things did happen, but other events have required time, attention and care.
My mom's husband of thirty-plus years, a good dear soul, is in hospice. We have gone down to Oregon a couple of times, offering what help and support we can. Another close family member had emergency surgery just before Christmas. There's the ongoing and growing plumbing issues, which were supposed to wrap up this week, but have been postponed until next,...
Because yesterday, after a bad slip on the ice on our hill the night before, K. was unable to walk without help, in so much pain, he spent the day/evening in the ER. Fortunately, nothing is broken, there is a hand sized horrible looking hematoma (muscle bleed) on his hip and a few weeks of recovery ahead.
I am grateful for many things in all of this-
The medical emergency conversation my family had last weekend, sharing stories (we have fire fighters/emergency workers in the group). One of them said, "Don't ever walk into the ER."
Remembering this as I pulled up to the drop-off zone, next to the long line waiting to pass through security and get into the hospital (did I mention that it had started snowing/sleeting/raining again?), arguing with K., who had first fought me about going at all, "People wait for hours just to be seen!" and was now trying to convince me to just drop him off...
"Just sit here! I'll get you in!" Leaving him in the car, I joined the line and then spotted someone official looking leaving the building out a side door, "Excuse me! Are you a security person?"
Yes.
"My husband has fallen, maybe broken something. He can't walk. WHAT do I do?"
"I'll get you a wheelchair."
A few minutes later he was back with the chair, an orderly, and he was taken directly into x-ray. There were still hours of follow-up, CT scan, etc., but no waiting in crowds.
Also, my best friend lives two blocks from the hospital. I was able to wait there and talk with K. and the doctor as needed.
And then, this morning, feeling a little better, K. decided to take a shower. Afterwards, while getting dressed, he called out feeling nauseous. I went in. He was resting on the edge of the tub, and moments later fainted and slid to the floor. It was so scary. He came out of it quickly. What to do?! Call 911? Call the neighbors? And then remembered, B., a friend from our singing group, a retired doctor (from the same hospital), only a few blocks away. He made a house call, reassured and advised... Whew.
Again, so grateful for the people in our lives... Including those of you who have reached out recently, thank you. There were also a few other crazy dramatic things that happened in the last weeks, which I can't write about here, but really, we are ok enough, managing.
Determined to stitch again, I'm starting with stars...
I hope that your new year is off to a much calmer start!
Sending love, Hazel