When It Rains, It Pours...

Gibson and fuzzy buddy resting.

 When it rains, it certainly does pour. And sometimes in life, things happen so quickly, we never see that road sign that says, "Warning. Storms ahead."

As many of you know, I've been light on blogging and on social media of late as my 94-year-old mother has recently had a severe health crisis after falling, being admitted to the hospital, diagnosed with pneumonia, a secondary infection, and four fractures of her one foot in addition to some serious bruises and contusions. She was transferred after a week into a rehab facility where she is currently non-ambulatory and has to be Hoyer-lifted from bed to wheelchair to bed. Will she walk again? Will she be able to return home? Her future at this point in time is uncertain. She has also had some bouts of confusion and memory loss. Some days far worse than others. She has been gaining her clarity and even her spark shines through at times. But seeing her struggle is indeed heartbreaking. As her only child who is here to visit and check on her, every day I pop over and try to bring her some sunshine, and some times my daughter accompanies me. We were always so close, the "Three Muskateers," as my Mom calls us. As any of you who have experienced this with a parent or loved one, it's not an easy thing to see...it's beyond explanation, really, and as a writer, I am rarely at a loss for words. While she had a weakened appearance and voice, nothing prepared me for the sudden memory loss and confusion. It's been two weeks now, and thankfully, the majority of her confusion has cleared up, but even in the lucid moments, the confusion silently creeps into the conversation, and while I will never get "used to it," I am now aware of it. But it still takes it's toll emotionally. With no other available siblings to share this with, it's hard to find the "places" inside of one's self to compartmentalize all the mixed emotions - love, fear, worry - so I go day by day, hour by hour and try to weave my life around this "new normal" we have at this time.

A few days ago, my boy Gibson quite suddenly became very ill with diarrhea, a temperature, and he vomited up his Epi-meds. In touch with my vet office, I gave him at-home care. It's been a long few days, but Gib is resting more comfortably. His temperature is back to normal. He is drinking water and is starting to get his appetite back, although he remains on a bland diet. He is keeping down his Epi-meds and the vomiting has stopped. And, thankfully, it appears his bouts of explosive diarrhea have finally stopped! It came on so suddenly and we still are not 100% sure what brought this severe GI upset on (possibly stress-related as he is very in tune with me and may have picked up on my high stress level and worry from my Mom's health crisis), but so thankful it seems to be working itself out of his system. Spending lots of quiet time together and hoping for continued healing for my boy. 

I want to say a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you for all the wonderful prayers, healing energies, lovely notes, and messages for both my mom and Gibson! We sure feels all the love, and Gib sends his "thank woos!"  I will update again soon. 

In the words of my ailing mother from her hospital bed, "Never give up." ❤ #LiveGibStrong