A week ago I returned to Manchester to look after my mum (some of you will remember the saga of her many self-discharges from hospital) who is on End of Life Care at home. She's very poorly and whilst most of the family are pulling together it's particularly hard for a couple of my siblings to deal with the reality of the situation. This is stressful.
My mother needs personal care, has cachexia/anorexia and has trouble breathing that's painful to observe. She wakes several times during the night and needs reassurance - so after a week of interrupted sleep I am very tired. (The situation is improving as of tonight thanks to a sensitive doctor who has prescribed a remedy.)
Five days ago my beloved father in law had a tumour removed and we await news of whether it is cancerous or not.
Three days ago my daughter (in NZ) had a car crash where she was shunted from behind and has a whiplash injury. Uncomfortable, but not serious for most people, however my daughter had a major operation on her neck a few years ago and until some time has passed we won't know whether any significant further damage has been done. It was her first day back at work after her maternity leave.
Today I spoke to my mother in law (also beloved) on the phone and in spite of her telling me that she's fine I knew immediately that she was not. When gently challenged she shared that she too has developed health issues that could be significant.
BUT - all is not doom and gloom because I have wonderful nieces and nephews around me who have lifted my spirits many, many times in the last week by their loving kindness and some very generous gestures. Young people do get a bad press sometimes (and often with cause I know), but I do want to praise these lovely youngsters who have made real sacrifices to help out one very tired auntie (me) and their ailing nana.
And now to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
