Monday, December 12, 2016

I Don't Ask for Much. But I'm Asking for a Bit of Love Now.

You guys, my mom is in the hospital. For the second time since Precocious Daughter and I visited my parents just a few weeks ago.

I don't want the timing of that trip to end up being providential.

She was admitted to the hospital about a week after Thanksgiving. Long story short, it turned out she has a leaky heart valve. After a tense few days, doctors determined that it could be treated with meds rather than surgery.

And there was much rejoicing. And relief.

Pdaughter and I Skyped my parents just yesterday. Mom seemed energetic and in great spirits. She was raised German Lutheran, so she does a very poor job of faking happy. When she smiles and laughs and chatters, it's for real.

But apparently, later on she had a dizzy spell. And complained about pain, then numbness, in her leg.

She already had a doctor's appointment scheduled for today, fortunately. But getting out of my dad's truck, she fell. After a few tests, she was taken to the hospital.

We still don't really know what's going on.

We know they've ruled out a stroke. Frankly, that was my greatest fear. I have a terror of strokes. I know that medical technology has greatly improved the chances that stroke victims will survive and thrive. But still, after cancer there's nothing I fear greater than strokes.

As of a little while ago, when I last talked to my dad, that's about all they know. They're going to run more tests...always more tests. It could be a spinal column issue. Related to her earlier problem? A complication? A totally unrelated, coincidental malady? We don't know at this point.

My mom is in the hospital, my dad is beside himself with worry, and I'm stuck in Texas, dreading the thought that I might have to make an emergency flight to Milwaukee in the near future.

Here's an unrelated anecdote:

Tonight I attended PDaughter's Holiday Band Concert. It was really fun. She was recognized for having advanced to All-Area Band, which is the final step before All-State (that tryout is in a few weeks). Afterwards, I ran into her dad - you know, my ex - who had also attended the concert.

Guys, the very first thing he said to me (after, Hi, how are you?) was "Do you have fifty cents?" He wanted to buy something from the band's bake sale table but only had two quarters on him.

AND I FUCKING GAVE IT TO HIM.

I'm not yet woke, Drunkards.

Anyway, I want my mom to be OK. I love her. And I'm not sure my dad could cope without her, to be honest.

I don't really pray...but I'm keeping good thoughts, and maybe you could keep a few good thoughts, too. If you can spare them, you know.

I love my mom

I want all of our moms to be well.

6 comments:

  1. The whole sick-parent-threat-of-quick-trip-home thing blows. The fact that it's during the holidays really amps up the tension. Hang in there. And of course you gave the ex two quarters. Being woke doesn't happen overnight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The whole sick-parent-threat-of-quick-trip-home thing blows. The fact that it's during the holidays really amps up the tension. Hang in there. And of course you gave the ex two quarters. Being woke doesn't happen overnight.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope your mother gets out of the hospital soon but beyond that I hope she takes it easy this holiday season. I don't know why I get the feeling she's the type who likes to be up baking and decorating and taking care of others at this time of year but I want her to let others take care of her for a change.
    And speaking of change the same goes to you. If you'll relax and take care of yourself I'll give you fifty cents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What Christopher said. Worrying about your parents (like worrying about your children) is horribly painful. Sending healing thoughts her way.

      Delete
  4. Sending a multitude of good thoughts to your family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aw, I am sorry to hear this scary news. I hope that the doctors can help her to recover soon. Take care, dear.

    ReplyDelete

You're thinking it, you may as well type it. The only comments you'll regret are the ones you don't leave. Also, replies to threads make puppies grow big and strong.