October 7th... Happy Birthday Gloria !!!!
This is my sister Gloria...
What a delima! I am living at my sister Gloria's home, and intended to be a help to her. That was a good plan, but this diagnosis has changed everything. I was going to do a lot of the yard work, as I enjoy it and she doesn't. Actually working in the yard was in motion, and I am proud to say Gloria was out there as much as I was. A big yard, lots of projects, now it will have to wait until spring. I also meant to help out here and there giving Gloria a little ease in her daily tasks, aside from helping Allen.
Allen, her husband, had cancer surgery the first of this year. Since then, there has been infection, additional surgeries, stroke(s), doctor visits, treatments and all an hour/hour and half away from this small rural city. He is doing pretty good, with an exception. Now, not only is Gloria facing another surgery with Allen, but at the same time my surgery and recuperation.
(Update below)
(Update below)
Could it get any worse for her? Yes! Here is where Gloria will be driving for Allen, my and her appointments.
Allen: Wenatchee, 72 miles North, about 1 1/2 hrs; Moses Lake, 35 miles NE, about 40 mins.
Marie: Richland, 82 miles NW, about 1 1/2 hrs; Kennewick 77 miles NW, about 1 1/2 hrs.
Gloria: Othello, 25 miles East, about 30 mins.
She will often be on the road, taking care of personal needs of the recovering twosome within the home, doing domestic chores, keeping up with mountains of paperwork; keeping both of our medications sorted; then... let's throw in lack of sleep, not to mention dealing with money in short quantities, to name some of what will be keeping her busy besides caregiving.
My mother used to say quite often when things were going badly..."There is a silver lining in every cloud. Sometimes you have to look really hard for it, but eventually you will find it."
I am praying that we find that silver lining for Gloria.
(10/07/10) Update...Well, a little sliver of that silver lining showed up for Gloria. My appointments, tests, biopsy, etc. have taken longer than expected. So, the good news has been that Gloria hasn't had to have two people, post operation, to take care of. It is going to be difficult enough to have the longer term care, but both of us "really" down at the same time. What a weary thought.
Fortunately, my daughter Tina (from California) is going to be able to help me at home for a week after leaving the hospital. That will help Gloria a lot, giving her chances for a well deserved nap.
(10/07/10) Update...Well, a little sliver of that silver lining showed up for Gloria. My appointments, tests, biopsy, etc. have taken longer than expected. So, the good news has been that Gloria hasn't had to have two people, post operation, to take care of. It is going to be difficult enough to have the longer term care, but both of us "really" down at the same time. What a weary thought.
Fortunately, my daughter Tina (from California) is going to be able to help me at home for a week after leaving the hospital. That will help Gloria a lot, giving her chances for a well deserved nap.
