Sometimes I Feel Like a Piece of Bologna

I’m Back – I Think!

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since September. Guess that shows you how crazy it’s been. We’ve had a couple of trips to Mom’s, with many more doctor appointments. The good news is that there doesn’t seem to be anything seriously wrong with her. The bad news is that she still feels pretty crummy and continues to cough a lot. Her lab results continue to be all over the place, but the rheumatologist still questions the diagnosis and is weaning her off of the prednisone. That’s good news. Some of her tests have suggested asthma (which I’ve suggested from the beginning, but who listens to me…) or even COPD. We got her on an inhaler and that has reduced her cough considerably. I think we’re on the right track.

Last time we were there, we had her house replumbed. Her water was coming out brown! The galvanized pipes had begun to deteriorate or react or whatever they do. When they were removed, they were utterly caked with gook. I’m amazed that water was even able to get through, and not surprised that it was brown. My sweet hubby managed that after I had made the arrangements. It ended up being more expensive than we expected, but we got a new water heater and several other repairs. We’d have to do it when we sell, so we decided she should reap the benefit of it.

While the plumbing was being done, Mom had to leave since there was no water. She drove about four hours to visit a friend. She was exhausted, but I think she enjoyed being with her friend. There are so few remaining! That’s a sad thing about getting old—you outlive so many of your friends. She’s been wanting to drive to Kansas to visit another friend, but hopefully she’s realized that she can’t handle that much driving. She had to rest every day while there and was bushed by the time she got home. It took her a week to recover.

Meanwhile Hubby and I celebrated my BD in the Gold Country of CA. We enjoyed a couple of days in Sutter Creek. I love that area in the fall, but it was unseasonably warm and the leaves hadn’t turned yet.

Now I’m back in school, loving it and still wondering why I’m doing it. I need to write a term paper in the next two weeks, before the kids arrive for Thanksgiving. Seems like things never slow down!

Labels: aging parents, medical care