I just came and went from Alaska in 6 days time
to Alaska from Oregon January 5th
then back to Oregon
and then back to Alaska again
now, this week
celebrated my mil's 94th in Oregon
was important to do
and necessary in all ways
however, the night i left Juneau
chaos began
my brother's son up there broke his leg in hockey game
tibia and fibula huge jagged break
same brother who spent 3 weeks helping me
with my broken wrist
and resulting surgery in Juneau
now having to continue with his son
very next morning my dad was clawing at bedroom drapes
to get window open gasping for air
rushed to e.r. in Juneau from our Douglas Island home
he stayed 2 days in hospital
inconclusive test results
but very very sick, dizzy. nauseated, weak
sat night my same brother found him incoherent in bed 3 am
upside down twisted in blankets
gasping for breath
he asked for hospital
rushed him back to hospital
probable 1 to 2 heart attacks had previously happened
silent ons with no pain expressed
not even caught in previous 2 days of tests
in hospital just 2 days before
i got back on first plane out from Oregon
next day Mon am
back to Juneau
they told him i was coming
by time i got here and
went to him he rallied
huge turn around
they admitted he has incredible will to live
at his 93 years
stress and anxiety and caring for my Alzheimer's mom last 5 yrs
plus his acute shingles i came up to help with in 2008
exaggerated the mild sleep apnea he'd had for decades
oxygen deprivation as he slept and napped
combined to create stress on heart
undiagnosed cardiac irregularities and unrecognized heart attack(s)
my 'good 'unbroken and too overused wrist went out on me
two wrist splints now
talk about 'out of my hands' and thy will be done
one simply tries to flow through faith into a place of acceptance
and still stay cheerful and hopeful
my nephew had surgery on his broken tibia and fibula 4 days ago
visited him at home
and welcomed him to the alien encounters
'parts department'
he almost smiled thru huge pain
bless his heart
first cast created horrific pressure sores
my bro had to rush him into er again
total agony
removed cast,treated sores
new fiberglass cast that is looser
my sil's and brothers all rose to challenges
all being amazing tho exhausted
someone at home with mom
we all took multiple turns at hospital with dad
every second 24 hrs a day
and helping with mom's constant care
we are cautiously encouraged about dad
they sent him home wed
taking it all day by day
medicare just ended Juneau coordinator
no sleep apnea c-pap unit here
sleep study showed dad woke
gasped for air 45x that night
we have to order and ship big unit to Juneau
and learn how to set up,clean, and maintain by ourselves
with directions over the phone from Anchorage office
my over used 'good' wrist now injured
so one broken and with badly islocated wrist
one carpal tunnel from constant use of only one hand to use
1 surgery but 2 matching splints
in just 3 weeks
challenging time
me with wrist here
then back to mil in Oregon
then my nephew to er here
then my dad
all in 3 weeks
its unbelievable yet
how life flows and goes sometimes
tomorrow, on Friday, the 2nd graders and
our kuspuks will be filmed
by Anchorage news crew on native culture segment
good times in spite of hard
we are all so grateful dad is still with us and mom is good
we still practice laughter therapy
every single day
even in ICU
not sure others understood ;)
but so important to keep energy and spirits up
still so blessed in all ways
and we never forget that
it is the secret to all challenges
it really is
one more day at a time
we all can do this
links:
challenges
broken wrist
laughter therapy
alien encounters
Stitches in Memory and Time
coming and going.......
23 comments:
Does my heart good to know that you keep each other in good and caring hands. A very eventful time with LARGE challenges! There is a Laughter Therapy group that meets on the St. Louis Country Court House steps once a month. Yup, they all gather outside and laugh till their sides ache! Hang in there kiddo!!
hugs and prayers going your way! You could certainly use a few! Hang in there it has got to get easier for you all!! hugs! (don't acknowledge this, save your fingers for something else)
Oh my dear friend, you've had it rough. Saying a prayer for you and your family. Hugs
I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless all of you.
My goodness, so sorry to hear of all of this, Please know prayers being sent for you and your family.
I continue to hold you and your family up in prayer for health and healing. I am amazed at your strength and endurance, God is surely at work both for you and through you. Sending hugs of support as you endure these incredibly difficult days.
wow...that is alot of traveling and alot of stress with everything that is going on...good thing you are using laughter therapy.
I have a cpap and our youngest son has a cpap. NOT hard to work, but you will need to know what pressure setting it should be on (we are both set at 13). Doc from hospital should be able to advise.
Cleaning - rinse off daily, using 50-50 water-white vinegar.
We have humidifiers on ours - he may or may not.
YOU CAN DO THIS ... and he will notice an AMAZING difference. What kind of mask did they suggest? LOTS of different kinds so if the first one doesn't work, try another. (we use the simplicity style).
GOOD LUCK!!
Prayers and good thoughts heading for you and your family. Don't forget to take care of yourself--care-givers endure such stress.
I'll NEVER say "What next?" again!!!!! You must be meeting yourself coming & going! More Hugs to you & yours!
your last few weeks sent me straight to my Gratitude List. Thank you and God Bless you ALL.
*hugs*
You tired me out, reading that;)
Don't forget to take care of yourself. I do the same thing, and then I end up paying for it with my old injuries coming back to haunt me. Blessings to you and your family.
Debbie
My dear Michele,
I do not know how I would keep track of which state I was in or where I was suppose to be :O) You are amazing- Laughter is a strong healer and something that helps one to cope when everything gets too much to bear.
Thanks for reminding me that all things can be possible if one believes that it is possible in their mind.
I am hoping that life will get a little less exciting for you.
I am sure that the Anchorage television show about the Kuspaks will be wonderful.
Hope all the bones are beginning to heal and that February brings some healing times for you and your loved ones.
Hugs,
Anna
Michele, you are my hero! Goodness girl, don't know how you'd do it without laughter therapy. Keeping you & yours in my prayers.
Hon, I have a c-pap you can have. Less than a year old with humidifyer,etc. You would need to get fresh tubing, etc. Let me know where to send if you want it.
Big Hugs
omashee at msn dot com
Wow! Lots of virtual hugs and prayers are being thrown your way.
Oh my dear, you can't even sit still and let the world pass you by, can you? Too many demands - just do the best you can, that's all. Kinda all takes the wind out of your sails, doesn't it. Keep the faith, good humor, etc.
Goodness gracious - you have been all over the place emotionally havne't you. Thought and prayers are winging your way that things get all stabilized and your wrists heal.
C-papa unit is easy to use and maintain. It will make sleep and awake much better. Don't worry.
Wow! You are going thru quite an adventure. You'll be glad you are so involved now and documenting things - later it will help you sort it out. My husband has the machine that helps him (and me) have more restful sleep. I don't know how he works it, but it seems to be automatic for him now. Sending good wishes your way.
Holy Cow! I know you're wishing for boredom right about now!
So sorry all this is happening, but admire that you can find the strength to get to a place of acceptance.
Prayers coming your way!
Prayers going out for you and your family!
holy catfish (said in awe)
But we rejoice in the victory of the Saints!!!
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