Working Full Time

I once heard Dr. Phil say that having a child is equivalent to having a full time job. I have four children, so 4 full time jobs. I would ad having a husband to the list. That gives me 5. Also, taking care of a house of six deserves some credit. I'm up to 7. Oh and the one that I actually get paid for. For a total of 8. Wow. I don't get pain nearly enough. Actually if I count my blessing I am very rich.

There is a point to my rambling, although it may take a while to get to. Last week I took my mom to the doctors office to get IV antibiotics for an infection (she has to go every day for 14 days). When she was finished we went to the IV center to get her blood "crossed & typed" for transfusions the following day--3 units of blood because her "crit" was so low. Then we went to same day surgery where the doctors were to remove the "portacath" from her chest, that they believe is causing the infections. Plural, she had a similar infection in December and November and April. When we got to same day surgery that is where I made the switch with my sister Jenni. I left mom with Jenni, because I had to go pick up my son from school across town. So Jenni stayed and waited for moms procedure to be completed then took her home. The next day Jenni took her to the IV center in the morning for the above mentioned blood transfusions and when she was finished, six or seven hours later, I went to the hospital to bring her home.

To be honest this is a pretty average couple of days for my mom. Unfortunately. And if I sound like I am complaining I am very sorry, because I am not, in any way. I will do anything for her. This is just our lives. And I wouldn't do anything different. I am getting closer to the point.

As mom and I were driving home I was thinking about how Jenni and I are always coordinating our schedules to accommodate moms doctor visits, antibiotics and blood transfusions and said to mom, jokingly, "You know Mom, your illness is a full time job." As soon as I said it I wished I hadn't, because she agreed and then apologized for being such a burden. I got a little upset and asked her if she has ever regretted the time she spent with her mother, taking care of her, before she passed away. This is where I started to cry. I said, "Don't you dare take this time I get to spend with you away from me by feeling guilty. I am glad that I can help you, and I am glad to spend this time with you, even if it is at the doctors office." She said she had never thought of it that way.

So that brings my total of full-time jobs to 9. Well, 10 if I count dad, but it is too late to get started on that. I have the most wonderful parents and I am so glad that I get live so close to them, so that I can help them. They took care of me and now I get to return the favor.