Taking a week off

[Jeff Brady]

A few of you who read my blog already know this, but I'm heading upstate to help my dad out. He's having knee replacement surgery Monday morning. He'll be in the hospital for 2-3 days & then released. Full recovery is expected to last 4-6 weeks. No one's really worried about the surgery except my Mom, who's sister is going through chemo right now. My job is to make sure Mom doesn't go nuts with worry, keep things relatively quiet (there's a dog and occasional grandkids to consider), and help Dad move around when he needs to.

My train leaves in four hours, and it's a four hour trip. Because of my nocturnal work schedule, I have to pull an all-nighter so I don't miss it. I have a headache, and it's raining outside. I'll need some serious caffeination.

My parents don't have a computer, and getting to the library is a bit difficult, as I don't drive. I'll suffer technological DTs by Wednesday, I'm sure of it.

Be well, everyone. See you next week.

[Sharpandpointies]

Kudos to you for doing this, and I hope your Dad comes through okay.

[Azrael52]

Right on, man. It'll all work out well, and you're a good person for helping out. Be safe.

[Lester C.]

Best of luck to you Jeff. I'm not going to say most but a lot of people don't bother taking care of their elderly parents once they are out of the house. Kudos to you for stepping up and making personal sacrifices to care for the man that gave you life.

[Gail Simone]

Good luck, Jeff. I'll be thinkin' of you.

Gail

[Cam63]

Good luck to all, Jeff. Take care.

[Pixies Chick]

Crudge, I expect I've missed this train. I hope this isn't getting too personal, but I wanted to ask if this is your first go 'round in this role reversal with your folks. When my dad's legs got bad, I got garden duty, and this time of year is when I'd be up at his place turning soil and checking the seed trays. It's odd stuff, and for me at least, dredged up some unexpected tender feelings for this Johnny Cash-like square built working man. It's one of the best times I've ever had in my life. If you've ever been close to little kids, they hit an age where they're not the cuddlers they used to be, except when they're not feeling well. Despite the obvious preference for independence, there's a place in life for needing people because if they didn't need us we'd never get the privilege of helping them.

If you see this, I hope that all goes well with your dad, your mom, and your aunt. I'm a life-long nondriver myself, so I get how that can limit contact with the world when you leave your regular environs. Take care.

[Jeff Brady]

Thanks everyone!

The operation went well, and it turns out his knee wasn't as damaged as they thought and only went with a partial replacement. Dad starts physical therapy on Monday. Full details & pics are on my blog.

Pixie: Don't worry about getting 'too personal.' My blog is in my sig, and that's pretty personal. It's there for a reason.

It is my first role reversal with my parents. The weirdest thing was emptying my dad's piss bottle (I know, sorry, TMI...). The rest of the time was spent making sure that when he did actually get up, I'd make sure he didn't fall down. Otherwise it was normal. My mom was the one hovering over him (when she wasn't at work) and that just frustrated him.