Mortality

My father is legally blind and cannot drive, although he watches TV, reads, etc. So he relies on my stepmother Judy or someone else to take him places. Well Judy just had shoulder surgery and is not allowed to drive for about 6 weeks. So now they are both dependent on all of us.

Steve and I take Thursday off together and usually run errands. Yesterday, my dad needed to go the doctor. He was diagnosed with emphasyma about 3 yrs ago, so he is very suseptible to any viruses or when it gets really cold like it is now. He get to where he has trouble breathing. He is supposed to call the doctor immediately, but doesn't. It's very wierd taking care of a parent. Although he gets around and isn't incapacitated and still has a strong mind, he is not the strong man that was my dad growing up. He will be 75 this April and has lived 25 yrs longer than his father. But this lung thing is scary. And with Judy not able to things for awhile, I think he feels a little scared. He has to help her with her therapy and do things around the house.

And then there is my aunt Lois. She was rushed to the hospital by my mother and my cousin. She was throwing up blood. They operated on her for a perforated colon, but now they are wondering if that was it. Of course my mother is freaking out, and my cousin is feeling overwhelmed, because he's trying to carry on at work, and take care of his mom. Lois is very thin. We don't know now whether it's because she wasn't eating or it was from the bowel thing. I guess we'll wait and see. Both Steve and I have always felt blessed because our parent are all still alive and relativly healthy. But I guess as they get older, things are going to happen. All we can do is take care of ourselves so as we age, we have minimal problems.