Have you ever gotten an early morning call? The one that rings and you just know it’s bad news on the other end? Ya, I’ve gotten those too. And guess what, I just got one a few weeks ago.
On Friday November 6 I was up early minding my own business when the phone rings at 6:02am. I quickly answer it and it’s my sister on the other line. She says that mom broke her knee and they want to do surgery. WHAT??? For those of you who know anything about my mom, surgery is just not an option. So I tell my sister not to let them do anything that requires cutting until I can get there. Scott and I talk and realize going is the best thing. After much ado, Alix and I jump into the car and off we go to Fresno.
The rest of Friday was VERY exciting. We decided that the pro’s out weighed the cons and did surgery. Have you ever had a breathing tube? Have you ever seen one? The only way they would do the surgery was if my mom would let them put the breathing tube in while she was AWAKE. As soon as they were confident that the machine was breathing for her, they put her under. Sounds pretty scary to me. But she did it. I’m telling you, my mom is amazing. She always has been and always will be!!
Fortunately for us all, my brother flew in on Friday night about midnight. We stayed up talking in mom’s room till about 2am and then I left to try and get “a good nights rest” while Steve stayed the rest of the night with mom. My sister and Alix were sound asleep by the time I got back the apartment and I too was out by 3:30am.
The rest of the weekend went pretty smooth. My mom had to get her pain under control. She didn’t actually break her knee she broke the femur in her right leg. They put in a plate and quite a few screws. My brother and I took shifts and Sara and Alix came to the hospital too. Alix was not allowed to go see grandma but she played very nicely in the waiting room. She was having the time of her life getting all that one on one attention with her Auntie Sara and not having to share anything for almost a week!!
My brother left Monday early evening and it was then up to me to get my mom through the rest of her hospital stay. However, we also knew that going home was not an option so the doctor and physical therapists put in an order for mom to go to a care facility for about a week to get things back in motion as best as she could with only one leg.
She was checked into the facility Wednesday night at 4pm. That was a good thing because I had to leave Wednesday night because Milo had a doctor appointment on Thursday that I did not want to miss. After she was settled I went and got Sara and Alix and we stayed a few hours and visited. It was good for both Alix and Mom to see each other. We left the facility about 8pm. After finishing things up at my mom’s house I left Fresno by 10pm. It would be a long drive home but it felt good to be going home.
Speaking of home. What was going on here while I was gone??? For the most part I don’t know! What I do know is that Scott took Friday off of work to tend the kiddos and then his mom flew in on Sunday night and took care of the kids for the rest of the week. It was nice to have Grandma Thompson here on Thursday to watch kids while we went to Milo’s appointment and then it was nice to have her a couple of extra days. She is so fun to be with and the kids enjoy her very much.
The last 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity trying to get everything straight at the care facility so that my mom can receive proper care. As of now I am confident that she is being taken care of as good as she can be in the situation she is in. It took too many phone calls and too many unkind words and even more apologies but I think we are finally in a good place with the facility!
As for the kids. They do miss their Grandma Thompson and are adjusting back to the routine of life, but we are glad to be back together as a family and are enjoying the togetherness and security family brings.
We went and visited mom in the care facility last Sunday (November 15) which was good for everyone. It raised her spirits and the kids had a GREAT time. They not only brought joy to mom but also to many other elderly people. Jaime and Alix entertained by playing the piano. Niah brought joy by handing out flowers she had picked off the bushes in front of the facility. Keri walked around saying “hi” and “bye” to every old person that she came near. Milo talked to grandma endlessly about how he manages his pain when he has surgery. And dear Afton followed everyone around smiling and dancing for all who would watch. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening.
I hope your mom is doing well. You are such a great daughter!