What A Week!
This has to have been the shortest “comeback” I’ve ever made! Before I’d even had time to catch up with you all, life caught up with me. I should have known. Things were going just too smoothly. Not that things were “great” – but there was just nothing wrong. HA!
Last Saturday (the 9th) I was out at the bank getting some $$ for a day full of Christmas shopping with my daughter and her friend. We were gonna get a tree, decorate it, bake, shop and be girls out on the town for Christmas. I was really looking forward to it. Never should have answered my cell phone.
“Mom – you gotta call Grandpa! His neighbor called and he’s sick!!”
I got home post haste. I waited until I got home to call. It’s best to deal with my dad when I can devote my full attention to keeping myself centered while answering his needs as best I can. Driving and Daddy don’t mix!
I got the neighbor….”Sunshine, your father is awful. He can’t even get out of bed. You better come home now.” I’ll pick you up at the airport.
I called & got a flight, then grabbed the girls & off we ran to get a tree. Amazingly, the perfect tree presented itself IMMEDIATELY. God loves children and fools.
Back to the house, left the girls to unload the tree and I went to pack – a feat I accomplished in 10 minutes flat. (I won’t tell you how many “forgotten” items I had to buy in Florida…)
An uneventful fligh and then to Daddy’s house. There he sat, alternately moaning and screaming in pain. I called an ambulance and it was off to the ER, where it took a while to be seen. All the while my father was shouting, rolling around and asking for pain meds. Finally, he saw a doc and got a shot. A fairly hefty shot of Demarol. Then another. Then he could hold still for x-rays. No real diagnosis from the x-rays other than arthritis in his back & call his doc on Monday. Needless to say, it didn’t work out that way.
6 A.M. on Sunday and I hear my father screaming my name. I JUMPED out of bed and ran for his room. Only problem is that I was a bit disoriented from the previous day’s activity and lack of sleep. I SLAMMED into the wall. Then I couldn’t find the door. My father is screaming. I am panicing. As I finally made it to his room, I noticed blood streaming down my face. As I called an ambulance, I noticed blood streaming off my foot. I had bruised the entire side of my face, cut my nose a good slash and totally ripped the toenail off my big toe. Well, not totally. It was hanging on by a thread. More of the same at the hospital. More pain meds & call your doctor Monday.
After getting Daddy somewhat settled back at home – I took myself to the ER to get that damn toenail cut off. I explained how I had done it to the doctor when he asked. Gotta give him credit – he listened with a straight face. He did, however, thank me for the great story when I left. Guess who the topic of conversation was the rest of his shift? I wonder.
Couldn’t get to the family doctor until Wednesday. Couldn’t get any other doctor to look at him. ARGH!!! On Wednesday the doc diagnosed a pinched sciatic (sp?) nerve. AHA! A diagnosis and, therefor, a plan of action.
I got a woman lined up to help him with cleaning & meals 4 hours each day. I lined up a physical therapist to come into the house for treatment. I shopped & cleaned. I scheduled doctor’s appointments & did all that I could.
It wasn’t enough.
I got home Friday night (4 hours later than planned after the weather delayed trip from hell). I was worn out. My sister (who had, like an angel, dropped her life to come stay with my daughter) was waiting for me & we went to pick up my daughter.
My father is an incredibly unhappy & scared man. It hurts me like hell, but HE is creating HIS hell. He has repeatedly threated (both directly & indirectly) to commit suicide over this injury. I had to get out after I had done all that I could to make sure he is taken care of.
Saturday morning, the phone rang at 9 A.M. again. It was my father. He was sure he couldn’t survive. I talked him “down”….I think. I’ve talked to him several times in the last two days. He is miserable & unhappy. I cannot make it better – I just wish he knew that HE HAS THE POWER to make it better.
I am worn out. I am a week behind at work – with end of the year deadlines coming up fast. My extra few days of time around Christmas are gone. I am behind on getting Christmas together. The tree is decorated and leaning in a corner – won’t stand up. Daughter & friend were a bit dopey & let someone into the house they shouldn’t have before my sister got there & had $700 stolen from them. The dog demonstrated her displeasure with my absence by pooping on the rug daily. I STILL haven’t been able to catch up with my faves. Don’t desert me now guys – I need you!!!!!!!!
Off to bed now – perhaps I can find the Holiday Spirit in my dreams.
You’ll make it through Sunshine and the Christmas spirit will come again. take care and many hugs and well wishes to you.
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Damn, SW. What a week! But you coped! As you always do. Do the kids know who it was they let in? I hope you manage to catch the F****r! And I hope the nose and foot heal up soon. Big Hugz
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{{{{{{{Sunshine Wolf}}}}}}} Don’t hurt yourself, and worry does that–just wasted energy that’s better used doing what you reasonably can. You’re right that your Dad has the power to help himself. For the tree problem…
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I had that one and fixed it with a cord from a small hook screwed in the ceiling and a cord from it to the tree top
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Hey, Christams will be fun when it arrives and at least it was only $700 taken and not something way more precious 🙂
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ooops, unsigned ermen 🙂
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Oh SW, that sounds like a week from hell. I’m amazed you got through it with only those slight injuries! How are you feeling now? Thinking of you,
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That sure is a difficult start to the festive season. You have my sympathy and I can only say ‘things can only get better’ Have a happy Xmas.
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It sounds like an awful week, I hope the next one is better for you 🙂
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Here’s hoping the money comes home. As for your father, he is determined to wring pity from his condition it seems. If he were well, no one would pay attention. And some people just need that. With a sigh…
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SW! Get some rest woman! Have a happy holiday..
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i’m so sorry that you have so much to tackle just to try and enjoy christmas…take care of you as well, wishing some rest and a lot of happiness for the rest of the year.hugs
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You have certainly had your share of ups and downs! Sending positive thoughts your way….and keeping you and your family in my prayers always. 🙂 shalom,
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Geez kiddo, what a week, you will make it through the xmas season just fine. You have the strength and the moxy it takes!
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Oh NO! Certainly NOT the holiday season you had in mind, I’m sure. RYN: We didn’t go without you! There’s been a tragedy (not kidding) in the froglette family. Hopefully, we can all get together very soon. ~:)
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Desert you? Never. Right here listening. LMAO over your disorientation because I just did the same Saturday night, but I still have my toenail. (And they say “don’t let the door hit you in the a**!”)
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Stand strong SW, there are a lot of people sending prayers for you. I am hoping the best for your father, you and your family. Many blessings to each one of you. Take care.
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I am so sorry all this is happening. Fortunately you have the PERFECT tree and candles and warmth–sit back and relax in the moment and you will find yourself calmed and smiling. How’s that for cliché advice?
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Smooches and hugs. I had to go to florida too, to bury my brother;some thug shot him. We’ve had a week haven’t we. Much love and a few more hugs. Tie the tree to the roof?
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Big big big ((((hugs)))). I hope that Christmas brings you lots of blessings. Lotsa love from me anyway.
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You poor love, big hug and hang in there, have a good Christmas just to prove you still can.
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wish you peace and take yr phone off the hook every once in a while 😉
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Have yourself a Dairy Little Christmas!!!
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I hope you have a nice Christmas…
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I’m sending you big hugs and some gause to wrap that toe in. Having had the nail removed from my big toe, I feel for you. Wishing you the best for the holdiays and for the new year, SW.
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12/25/00 Hope the toe pain has let up and your Dad has stopped being a unnecessary burden, Sunshine! Have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year–as well as you can, anyway
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Still here ,lovey, hope to see things are better soon
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Well, well, well. I see you are in the list of those who have been here for two years! My goodness. May the new year bring you warmest blessings, dear Sunshine. With a hug and a smile…Torin in the robes of
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Happy 2001!
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Wow.. that sounds hectic. But, it’s wonderful how you seem to stay happy and find the best of everything. 🙂
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here’s to new beginnings and new hopes…may it all be yours in the coming year!
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Hope your father is doing better. sorry I haven’t been around lately to be as supportive as I’d like. Let’s hope that 2001 is a much better year for all of us. Hugs and AZ sunshine your way! {{{SUNSHINE}}}}
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I hope things are a little better by now… thinking of you. Love,
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I almost broke a toe by slamming it into a door jamb. Gave the docs a giggle that day. I know how you feel about your Dad. Mine is headed for a similar path. I don’t like that I care so much…I think. XOXO
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There you are, bold as ever on my favs list, but I see no new entry…you must of been thinking out loud 🙂
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Saw you in bold. Im sorry I haven’t visited before- I hope your father is doing better & have wonderful New Year {HUGS}
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i did come to atlanta. it did wash away half my dad’s new backyard down there when i showed up!!!! every time i came to atlanta it rained at his house. SO move next to him? 🙂 Grumpy got rain too!
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oh and if you would do something about the smog maybe i could stay longer, but i can’t breathe in hotlanta in the summertime and go with those smog alerts!!!
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Since you haven’t written in a while, I’ll just say I hope your holiday went ok, under the circumstances. Hope you write soon to verify. 🙂
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Missing you Sunshine, hope the holiday went well.
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I hope things are calming down for you. Don’t know what else I can say. Try to keep up on your sleep so you don’t start fighting yourself. Good luck!
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1/7….just wondering how you’re doing. So much happening B4 the holidays, I hope life is better by now. Take care.
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What a rough patch you’re going through, friend! As a caregiver, you shoulder the brunt of it all. Please take care of yourself. You need all your strength and equanimity.
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that is so much to have to take on. Wishing you strenght and some time to yourself
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just peeking in, SW… hope all is well~
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thinking of you… did you get my email? just ckin in to say hey, and let you know where I am (i’ve moved)
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2/3- Instead of releasing the cyberspace bloodhounds to track you down out of fear for your safety, I am officially taking the position that your life is just too full/good these days to include the OD. I sure hope so.
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Here’s the Diary. See the people? Open it up and see all the notes! Sorry, It don’t rhyme, but HAPPY NEW YEAR Sunshine. Where are you hiding out?
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2/8/2001–
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2/8/2001–No post for 30 days and diary is eligible for the Archive, Sunshine. Hope you are ok
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yikes . . . what a week. i’m sorry i didn’t get here sooner . . . life doesn’t wait for od. thank you for your note though, it was a touch of happiness for me.
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Hey … anybody here? It’s Valentine’s Day and I’ve been elected to tell you that WE ALL MISS YOU! Hope you and all yours are doing well. We’re thinking of you. XOXO
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I’m sending out Osgoode and Lordach to look for you, and you know Lordach is not as young as he used to be. Sunshine!! Come home! With a wistful sigh…
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I’m missing you, too..now get back here!
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2/21/2001–Hope you’re ok, Sunshine Wolf!
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A couple of days after your last note… Come on SW. We miss you. Come back PLEASE!!!!!! Either that or enjoy yourself and tell us about it soon (Do I make a good nag?!?)
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She lives!! Thank you so much for stopping in, dearest SW. I have been terribly concerned about you. With big warm hugs…Torin the Unsigned
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~~~~ waving! so glad to see you again at Torin’s place… just wanted to drop in and say “hi” 🙂
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A Sunshine Sighting??? I heard a rumor you were somewhere. Hope all is well with you! XOXO Luna nsi
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