A visit is planned / myLot

Leicester, England

January 28, 2019 3:06am CST

I heard on Saturday morning that my mother had had a fall, broken her hip, and was in hospital. Given that she is 103 years old, this is not a trivial matter. She had a repair operation on Saturday afternoon, which went well, and now has to have physiotherapy to get her mobile again. Of course, I want to visit her as soon as possible, but this poses several logistical problems, given that she is in Poole (on the south coast of England) and I live in Leicestershire (East Midlands) and rely on public transport to get around. Fortunately, my sister lives much closer to Poole than I do, so Mother will not be on her own. She also has grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will be able to visit her this week. The best I can arrange is to go down by train on Friday, stay overnight with my sister and come back on Saturday. Thank goodness for the National Health Service and the wonderful Poole General Hospital! (The photo was taken six years ago, when Mother was a bit more mobile than latterly - nowadays she gets around using a walking frame)

9 people like this

9 responses

lady Di

@lady1993 (27221)

• Philippines

28 Jan 19

wow it is amazing she reached that age . i hope she gets well soon

2 people like this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

Thank you.

1 person likes this

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (14804)

• Ireland

28 Jan 19

@indexer Here’s hoping for a good recovery. Hats off to the NHS and all who sail in her. 103 is a bit of an unreal age - hard to relate to for us young things. I have a friend just turned 100 who still plays the piano in Church, skips up the stairs and drives. She’s also a bit of a worry to her family given all her unsupervised activities.

2 people like this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

I have never known my mother to either play the piano or drive! She is very hard to beat at Scrabble, though!

1 person likes this

Sreekala

@Sreekala (34312)

• India

28 Jan 19

Older people are in trouble when they fall, I think most of them are suffering this way. Glad to know that her surgery went well. Wishing her speedy recovery.

1 person likes this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

Thank you for your good wishes.

1 person likes this

Sreekala

@Sreekala (34312)

• India

28 Jan 19

@indexer You are welcome.

Always smiling

@allknowing (153529)

• India

28 Jan 19

That is the situation with all seniors these days as joint family system is never heard of. Your mother hardly looks her age in that photo. Hope your plans to visit her fructify.

2 people like this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

Thanks. She would have been 97 when that was taken.

1 person likes this

Manuela Lopes

@nela13 (59365)

• Portugal

28 Jan 19

Hope your mother fully recovers and you can visit her soon. she doesn't look like her age in your picture.

1 person likes this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

29 Jan 19

She was 97 when I took it. Thank you for your good wishes.

1 person likes this

Manuela Lopes

@nela13 (59365)

• Portugal

29 Jan 19

@indexer Yes, I know, I wish I will look like her when I reach 97

Laurel (L_B)

@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

28 Jan 19

Wow so glad to hear that everything went well with her surgery. She must be one tough lady. I am so glad that you are going to get to go visit her if even for a day. I sure she will love seeing you. I wish her all the best. You are so blessed to still have your mom.

1 person likes this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

Thank you. Seeing that you are from Canada reminds me that one of my mother's old schoolfriends (and bridesmaid) emigrated to British Columbia more than fifty years ago and - as far as I know - is also still with us at roughly the same age!

1 person likes this

Laurel (L_B)

@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

28 Jan 19

@indexer Oh wow that is wonderful.

Anna

@LadyDuck (502812)

• Italy

28 Jan 19

I am sorry for your mother, I hope she can recover her mobility, at her age is pretty hard. My best wishes to her.

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382542)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 19

My mother had a hip replacement at 99 and it was a real success and alleviated the pain she was in. She lived to 104. Sending the very best of good wishes to your mother.

1 person likes this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

28 Jan 19

Thanks. Some of these old timers are tough as old boots!

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382542)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 19

@indexer They certainly are and my Mum was one of them. Obviously your mother is too.

Courage7

@Courage7 (19626)

• United States

28 Jan 19

My goodness John!! Isn´t your Mother a wonder!! Much credit due her the lovely lady. I am sorry to hear she has taken this fall. Hope and pray you can get down to her safely and that is grand now that your sister is there you can stay with. Yes distance is a real pain when you are relying on public transport, tho I dare say your system is better than here. I will keep your Mother in my prayers John. Please let us know how she is getting on. Take care now yourself. Safe journey to you. Oh yes thank goodness for the NHS, a real blessing. Here, you may be sure she would suffer terribly with the system here.