In one week I took my Dad to four appts, GG to five classes (tap, ballet, swimming, tumbling and Dr) and myself to one. The week was stressful and I felt like I was on the verge of a meltdown. If I had been eating better maybe it wouldn’t have been that way? Sometimes I think it’s just my hormones. Even though I had to have an ablation, I still get those few days where I am more emotional. I don’t mean cranky either but instead sad, woe is me sort of thing. I'm so happy this doesn't happen often!
I take baths at night so mornings are a little easier on days like this. I also like to leave my home semi presentable. OCD?
How only one of those days went-
Time check-7:00 am. I woke up, made my bed, washed my face and got dressed. Came into the kitchen to see if Dad was up yet. He wasn’t so I went up to get GG who was awake looking at her books. I love walking in to see her enjoying herself, so happy. After a good morning, hug and kiss, we made her bed. I helped her to get dress, dealt with the drama and torture she seems to think it is to get her hair brushed and gotten out of her face.
After she’s ready, we go downstairs so I can get breakfast going. I see that my Dad had already gotten dressed and was in the process of taking his blood pressure. I remind him to take his meds and quickly put ointment on a sore. I ask Dad if he put lotion on (he itches all the time). He says he didn’t, that he forgot because he can’t reach. To me this makes no sense. If he can reach to itch he can reach to put the lotion on. Especially when I put it on him, he complains that I already do too much. I WANT to help him. I want him to be comfortable, to not be in distress, to not be anxious, to enjoy his remaining years. I’ve learned he’d rather itch than to ask me to do anything which makes me feel bad. It's not like I have given him any reason that I don't want to. I adore him! Even after explaining time after time that he took care of me and now it’s my turn, he fusses that he can't do anything for himself. Now I get it. He's having a woe as me day. Been there done that so I know this is the day he needs to fry bacon. ??? See, he loves turkey bacon so he fries up about three packages, freezes it and then when it' needed, I can warm it up for him. While telling him I could use some help, I grab the bottle of lotion and rub all exposed areas. :)
I make their breakfast, eggs for one and oatmeal for the other. While they eat I pack a bag full of things for GG to do and to eat plus a snack bar for me. I run upstairs to wake the JMan otherwise he’ll sleep the day away. Habit I am trying to help him break. Good luck, right?
Help Dad and GG into the car. As usual, I take a quick look to my left I see my 21 yo cat has puked and was still alive. All is good.
First stop-The Y. GG has tap, ballet and swimming lessons. Afterwards I sign her up for more lessons and summer camp. I signed her up for tap, ballet and tumbling so she could choose what she liked best. Turns out she enjoyed them all so I kept her in each for a month. After a month though, something had to give and since tumbling was held on a different day, it was the one I chose to not continue. At least not until things have "settled". Insert insane, crazy laugh. HAHAHAHA!
Next on our stop is for GG to see an allergist. On the way GG eats the lunch I made for her and that is when I realize I didn’t eat breakfast but did remember to grab a snack bar. I didn’t want to go out of the way by going home first but after arriving early what do we do for 1 hour. I got GG an ice cream cone and Dad wanted McDonald's. He likes their flat burgers because they are easy for him to chew. While waiting in the Dr's parking lot, they ate while I tried to catch up on some texts and emails. At 1:30 we all headed in only to hear that I had more required paperwork to fill out. Really? I filled everything out online (to save paper) and when I had a question the lady on the phone said to print it all out. Makes no sense to me. Appt takes from 145-345. I learned that GG is mainly allergic to fall and mold which isn’t too bad. I’m glad we decided to have it done because she seemed to always have a runny nose and coughing.
We head over to the hospital for Dad’s ultrasound on his leg. Dad has a huge sore that is tunneling and not healing at all. Our first thought was how big and how busy the place was! There was not one handicap parking spot available so I dropped him off at the front where he could sit on a bench while I parked. This procedure took about 1.5 hours so I was so thankful I had planned ahead by packing a backpack full of things for her to do and eat. After his appt, I get Dad to eat a banana. Why did I mention this little detail? Because he's lost too much weight and there are times he just doesn't feel like eating.
On the way home Dad started itching all over and said he thinks he has shingles. Ok, maybe, ESP since he had a bluster pop up on his other leg but I doubt it. As mentioned earlier, he has really dry skin but I still ask him "Dad, have you ever had shingles or is your skin just really dry?" He says, “I don't know. I just know I've always itched.” Note to self to keep a watch. Dr. said he could do a couple things but in the end they were all too invasive for an 89 year old so it was agreed amongst all involved, to keep doing what I was doing. Thank goodness I have a sister-in-law that is a wonder with homeopathic medicine and herbs!
There's a traffic jam. What? It's not rush hour, why on....looking at the time I see that indeed it is rush hour. Time just FLEW by today. Dad tells me he needs to use the restroom. GG heard him so she said she had to as well. With the power of suggestion, so did I. Great. An elderly man with control issues, a preschooler, and a woman who at anytime sneezes or coughs to hard also has control issues, stuck in traffic with the need to use the restroom. I repeat. Great. I sing silly songs to keep GG occupied. A few minutes later we are able to take a potty break. Whew!
Time check-4:53 pm. Arrived home to realize, that once again, when it comes to feeding my family, I have dropped the ball. What's for dinner?
