I am thankful for my brother, especially now
@GardenGerty (157722)
United States
November 11, 2017 2:30pm CST
Many of you will know that last week my step mom fell, broke her femur and has had surgery to put a rod in her thigh. She is not at home but is in rehab.
Dad is home alone.
Since Dad is home alone, my brother has been calling him twice a day to check up on him.
When he called yesterday afternoon, Dad told my brother that he had fallen, and could not get up, although he could get to the phone, it was down low enough.
My brother left work, got the ambulance and got dad taken care of.
He may have had too many pain pills and sleeping pills. He definitely has pneumonia, and he has sepsis in one lung.
I am grateful my brother is so thoughtful and could also take off work to go help him.
The doctors say dad may or may not beat the sepsis infection.My brother is helping look into whether or not he would be able to go home, or come live with him.
25 people like this
25 responses
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
It is good they are so close and my brother has thought of these precautions.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
11 Nov 17
It is great that yoit brother is there for him. It is so difficult as they age and need more attention and care.
7 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
They absolutely hate to give up their independence in any way.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
13 Nov 17
@GardenGerty yes they do and that makes it even harder.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
The hard thing is, I cannot just take off work at a moment's notice. My supervising teacher is facing the same thing, but her family is in Oregon. I have a couple of days off to take care of Bob and my sister, then Sue (the teacher) is going to be gone to help with her family. Too many needs.
3 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
11 Nov 17
I remember the post the other day about them and now I am reading this about your Dad.
All best healing wishes going out for the two of them.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
13 Nov 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 I know you do a lot of care taking yourself.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
It really feels like a snow ball rolling down hill and gaining momentum.
3 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
12 Nov 17
@GardenGerty
I am living something like that right now and its hard to keep on an even keel.
I can know how you feel in a way.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
11 Nov 17
Oh no. Sorry he fell! Wish him well. All of you too
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Thank you, Courtney. I hate that we are all getting older so quickly.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
13 Nov 17
@Courtlynn Exactly and it is not all fun and games.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
12 Nov 17
@GardenGerty I do too.. also hate how slow life seemed as a kid, and now its like theres only 3months in the years instead of 12
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 17
@GardenGerty i admire strong bonding family ties
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
I will have to do most of my keeping up by phone.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159650)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Nov 17
It is good when family takes care of eachother. Hope your dad is okay.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
He is safe, but far from okay. I hope things improve.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (159650)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Nov 17
@GardenGerty ......Safe is a great thing. I hope things improve too.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Oh dear Heather..I had not been attending to myLot much lately so no I had not known of your step Moms fall..so very sorry to hear this and now your poor Father as well. I pray for his healing and your step Moms too..Your brother is so good..I hope that all will be well..again so very sorry..
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Their age is making them very vulnerable. I hope they both get better, but they may not.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
He is improving, but not at all out of the woods yet.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
He may never get well enough to leave it, the doctor says.
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Nov 17
I hope your dad stays in the hospital for a week and gets IV antibiotics, both of those as=re so bad for the elderly to have
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
They have said he may not ever get well enough to leave the hospital. I know he is getting antibiotics, and is on oxygen and a bipap. They have also had to restrain his hands as he is removing things he needs.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74873)
• East Tawas, Michigan
11 Nov 17
Thank God, your brother went to help his Dad! This is probably about the last time, either one on them will be living in their own home. This time comes for all of us, sooner or later.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Realisitically, you are right. They would prefer to be together where ever they go, and I hope it works out.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74873)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Nov 17
@GardenGerty Yes, keeping them together is the most important thing, for them.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74873)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Nov 17
@GardenGerty They need each other, for the rest of their lives.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Wow.. I hope the best for your parents and thank goodness brother is there to help
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Yes. I wish they had chosen to maybe go into assisted living before they got this bad off with their health. It might have saved them some falls, etc.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45615)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Nov 17
I take it that your brother lives in the same town as your father but that you do not?
Yes, it was very good that your brother could see to him. Hope they both get better soon.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
I am three and a half to four hours from Dad. My brother is about forty-five minutes I would like them to have a little more time, together.
3 people like this
he is a good son.@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Yes, he is a good man, good brother, and good son.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
No it is not for sissies, and youth is wasted on the young. This aging bit is catching us all.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
13 Nov 17
@sallypup That is a tremendous amount of work. Dad is combative right now, I guess, and angry.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58197)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Nov 17
@GardenGerty Yeah in my family my sister flew East to visit with a brother who now has cancer. That left my 96 yr old Mom with my sister's husband. He is not well and in his 70s but I guess everyone got through the experience. Mom dresses herself etc. but has dementia so has to be handled at times like a nasty tempered toddler plus needs her meds handled and meals prepared.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Nov 17
I hope you dad can recover and it's so good your brother was checking on him.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
We are noticing that they are going down hill fast.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
15 Nov 17
@GardenGerty It's so sad to watch that, but it's all part of life. Doesn't mean it's not sad, but.......going to eventually happen to each and every one of us.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Yes, it is good my brother is there.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157722)
• United States
12 Nov 17
Yes, it is good to be able to count on him.
2 people like this
@tusziget (323)
•
13 Nov 17
@GardenGerty
You can always count on your family,you are right.
2 people like this
