Dorothy was right, there really is no place like it. I went to Texas last weekend to fly Mom home and my boys stayed here in Maryland without me. Typically, there were injuries. Yes, I have pictures. Maybe my next blog will be for the Gross Chronicles.
After taking care of Mom for the past 3 months, and the constant stress of her being in and out of the hospital, this week is bittersweet. I expected to simply feel relief at having a burden lifted, but mostly I feel like I’m missing a limb. I feel a need to call every hour and ask her if she took her medication and how she feels and what her blood pressure is and the status of her fluid retention. I need to know if she’s eating ok and if she’s had enough water or too much salt. I can’t help but constantly ask about her new cough, and whether it’s productive, is it a cold or just allergies, is there a fever, and then I worry that her allergy medication probably interacts with several other medications that she’s on. I keep compulsively reminding them about her doctor’s appointments and have been reminded twice by my father that he can get her there.
Sigh.
So, to cope, I took a nap today and then watched TV in bed for 2 hours. Tonight I took a long bath with a glass of wine. I miss Mom very much, but maybe, just maybe, I could get used to this too.
