MY POOR MOM

At 73 years old my mom has been through a lot in her life.  Diabeties, emphyzema, 7 strokes - the list goes on and on.  In fact, just a couple weeks ago she was rushed to the hospital after my sister had to call 911 because she had become semi-unconscience and the medics had told us that she wouldn't have made it if they had arrived just two minutes later.  Very scary stuff.

Well, last night it happened again.  My sister and her family are on vacation and my drivers license is suspended until June of 2010.  My mom doesn't drive and counts on my sister for a ride to her one and only hobby - bingo.  Since my sis wasn't available, my mom got my sister's best friend to pick her up for bingo last night.  She drives a Ford Explorer.  While stepping up into the Explorer my mom last her footing and fell out.  Her leg was in severe pain and was taken to the hospital.  I got the call last night - she has broken her hip and goes in for surgery today.  This is the second time in the last four years that she has broken her hip and required surgery to fix it. 

My mom is scared to death because the last time she had the surgery she had one of her strokes due to side effects from the anastethia.  I told her to put it in God's hands and try to have faith.  I know it's easy for me to say, but I honestly believe our lives are in His hands anyway.  I just feel so bad for her.  Her weight has dwindled down to just 112 pounds and she seems to be admitted into the hospital at least once a month.  I am asking you to join me in praying for God to guide the surgeon's hands and for the surgery to be uneventful and successful.  My poor mother deserves a break.  I know my time with her on this earth is coming to an end, I just wish she didn't have to continually suffer.   Thanks for listening.

Andy,
Prayers are with your mom and your family. You are a good son for being there for her. Take care of her and yourself.

Thank you Shilpa.  I am a realist and know that my mother has dodged bullets several times.  It's becoming more and more evident that our time with her is dwindling down.  I just wish she could spend what time she may have left with us pain free.  The woman deserves a break, she really is a sweet old lady.

Andy - I'm sorry to hear about your Mom.  It's tough when our loved ones break things and end up in the hospital.  My 84 year old grandmother just broke her shoulder last month and is recovering and earlier this year, she was in a head on collison (not her fault). 

It's really tough on the family when these things happen.  Hang in there and keep on being the loving, supportive son that it certainly sounds like you are.
Lisa

Yeah Lisa, it is very tough to watch a loved one - especially one that is up there in age - to suffer through things like this.  I just got off the phone with her and she really sounds depressed.  Her surgery is set for 2:00 today, which will allow my sister time to get there.  I talked to my sister about 15 minutes ago and her ship just docked in Baltimore and she should be home in time.  Thanks for the kind words.

 Andy,
Prayers for your Mom and your family being sent your way.  Keep your chin up, I know how hard these things can be, having been there myself with both my parents.  God will take care of her.
Hugs Ena

Thank you Ena.  I appreciate that.

Andy,

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and send good wishes your way.  I know how painful it is to watch the people you love suffer... and there are times that it seems the universe is just heaping more things on than we can handle.  Hang in there and just treasure the time that you have with her and make each day a positive one as much as is possible.

Karen

Thanks Karen.  I should be immune to it by now.  I lost my dad to cancer in 1989 and have watched my mom go through one thing after another.  But it never gets easy.  I honestly wish I could afford to send her on vacation somewhere.  Then again, all she really is into is going to bingo.  She's so old fashioned, I couldn't even imagine her on a cruise or a plane.  She's a very simple, easy going woman.  Thanks for the prayers Karen.

Andy,

Well, how about organizing her friends and loved ones to bring a bingo party to her?  That could be a fun way to give her a mini-vacation while she's in the hospital (well, in rehab after surgery woudl be a much better choice) and help those around her feel like they're contributing positively to her recovery.    Just a thought!

karen