Now don’t get me wrong, I love my Mum to bits. I couldn’t imagine a world without her. And I wouldn’t give up caring for her unless absolutely necessary. But sometimes it can get too much. One of the things I’ve learned recently after caring for her as long as I can remember, is to take care of myself too. If I’m not well, I can’t care for her as well as she needs. So I’ve finally decided to take a long weekend off. Recharge my batteries and get some pent up frustrations out by going away for my friends 30th birthday. 5 days down in Sunny Devon.
So the time comes whereby I am about to leave. 5.15pm, time to collect my friend. I put my case in the car and go back in to wish goodbye to my mother. Her carers would be in within an hour, and my brother would be there to take over when they leave. She’d fallen asleep in her wheelchair. Or so I thought. I said goodbye, but got no response. I went over and shook her gently, calling her name as I did. But I got nothing. I lifted her head to find her drooling on herself. She still did not respond. I immediately called for paramedics and had to inform my friends that we would be running late. By the time the paramedics arrived she was somewhat responsive. The paramedics as usual were fantastic. They hooked her up to machines and decided that whilst there was nothing wrong with her obs, she had too much going on to risk it. Cue following the ambulance to the hospital and knowing I was going to be later than I thought. My mother hadn’t been processed by the time I arrived, so I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and visit my grandmother who is also an inpatient at the same hospital.
I explained to my grandmother what was happening, and that I would see her when I returned from Devon. It reached 10pm and after settling my mother in and informing the doctors of all I knew, my family turned up to take over and give me the break I needed.
that wasn’t enough for my mother unfortunately
That wasn’t enough for my mother unfortunately, who has spent the two days I’ve been here calling me repeatedly to inform me that she does not have the medication she requires due to the hospital not being able to obtain it. I’ve since informed her that the family would be bringing it up to her.
It wasn’t enough. Apparently she feels that I should be leaving my break in Devon to bring it to her. I think this might take me longer than the family driving up after work.
Caring can be hard work. Especially when you’re trying to get your respite, and the person you care for can’t accept that.
Art and Angst 