Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Past Ten Days

The past ten days have been very difficult. As you know, my mother was diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia. I brought her home from the hospital on Tuesday, and she's getting stronger, but I made three trips to her apartment yesterday, and it's been tiring for both of us (for my brother too, since he's been in regular contact).

While my mother was in the hospital, her youngest sister died. My aunt was one of those rare people who was beautiful both inside and out, and this loss is very hard on all of us. My mother had to be told in the hospital because the funeral was Monday, and we had reason to believe my mother would be released from the hospital on Monday. Marci (who my mother now refers to as a doll) would have taken my mother back to her apartment, but there was no lie I could come up with to explain why I wasn't there to do it. So Sunday, my brother told my mother what had happened. Then Monday he and I went to the funeral in New York City and Marci visited with my mother, who was kept the extra day as a precaution.

Tuesday after I'd brought our mother home, my brother called to say he'd just been informed that a member of our father's side of the family was seriously ill. So that's been weighing on us as well.

My hope for today is not to visit my mother, and have some time to catch up with things. I have emails to answer, phone calls to make, even newspapers to read. But, of course, that will depend on how well my mother does without my help. Which is kind of unpredictable right now.

My mother and I want to thank everybody for their prayers and thoughts and wishes. And we want all of you who have family members fighting their own illnesses to know that we're thinking of you as well, and wishing for the best.

20 comments:

Nora said...

Sending my thoughts and prayers.

Lexi said...

I hope everything gets better for you and your family! You all will be in my prayers

Emily said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers today. I know that illnesses in the family can be very difficult

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Thank you Nora and Lexi and Emily-

I just got off the phone with my mother. She sounds pretty good, so I'm still hopeful I can spend the day at home.

Not that I've gotten much done today myself!

Anonymous said...

Once again, I send my heartfelt prayers to you and your family.

Times like these are very tough and sometimes the most you can do is hope to muddle through.

Glen

Anonymous said...

Oh Susan. Know that this reader/fan is thinking about you.

-Another Susan

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hi Glen and Susan Colebank-

I just wrote a comment and it vanished. Not that it was such a great comment, but still, that's so irritating when it happens.

Oh well. My word verification is "bastow" which would make a great curse word (try it with a French accent for full effect).

Anyway, my original comment mostly said I was getting nothing done today (true enough) and hoped I'd get stuff done tomorrow (which I'd better).

Let's hope this comment makes it through!

Fear Death By Water said...

Thought I'd tell you a funny, lighthearted story.

It all began yesterday. I was at Manzanita Park on the fringes of Sierra National Park. I'm here on a pitstop on the way to my baby sister's wedding in Laguna Beach, CA.

Anyhow, I don't swim. So while my wife and her friend (who we stayed with on our pitstop) were in the lake, I sat under a tree in the shade reading 'The Dead and The Gone' (Sorry it's taking me a long time to finish, I may be burned out on reading after all I did for my thesis).

There I was minding my own business when a bird scored a direct hit right into your book. So now Julie's birthday is longer unadulterated. But everyone got a good laugh at my reaction to it. And on the bright side the bird didn't get me.

I'll keep you in my thoughts.

fdbw

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hi Fear Death By Water-

Oh no, a bird critic. Let's hope it's not the kind of bird who leaves comments over at Amazon!

Have fun at the wedding. Laguna Beach sounds like a perfect place for just about anything.

Linda Jacobs said...

Thinking of you and sending waves of healing to your mom. I'll be going to Florida next week to see my mom who is now in assisted living and spending her days with my dad who died 13 years ago. She's not in pain and barely aware of where she is but is enjoying her daydreams. It could be worse. But, againg sure does bite!

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hi Linda Jacobs-

I'm not sure who the aging process is tougher on, the people going through it or the people witnessing it.

All I do know is I'm a lot crankier than my mother!

Lisa-Marie Jordan said...

Sending my thoughts and prayers and a great big cyber hug!

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hug received and appreciated, Lisa-Marie Jordan!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am completely sorry for your loss and your relative will be in my prayers. I'll light a candle and do the rosary for both terrible tragedies. Sorry I haven't commented in a while. I was in Disney World and teaching Bible Camp at my Church (The people at my Church are so cruel. I have to spend the rest of my summer with them and I deeply dislike them all. They are all so mean. Shouldn't Church people be nice?) Well, back to being positive. I'm doing religious crafts with the kids and I have a group that are working them with me. I'll tell them and the kids to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.

~~~Sunshine :-)

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Thank you Sunshine.

Fear Death By Water said...

Vacation is treating well. I hope you are enjoying your day. Really liking your book.


http://exitofhumanity.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-beach-reading-fun-time.html

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that you are going through such a rough time. Stand strong and know that you have many standing with you, sending thoughts and prayers on your behalf.

WandaV

Abigail said...

I've had ill family too lately.
I know what your going through!
You and your family are in my thoughts!

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Happy Sunday morning Fear Death By Water, WandaV and Abigail-

Yesterday was a difficult day with my mother, but since my brother (coincidentally) drove up to visit her, he got the brunt of it.

Today my mother was considerably more peppy. She finished the last of the antibiotics this morning, which is one less thing to worry about.

Tomorrow, I take her to the doctor, who will most likely tell her, she's doing great.

Let's hope my mother believes her!

Anonymous said...

Hello, Susan
It's very stressful when a loved one is ill. I hope your mother is doing better.
Blood Wounds sounds like it's going to be another hit!!
Have a great rest of July.
Maria T.