11 June 2014

From one fire to another

Same old excuse - busy (what else is new?)

Seems like we are handling one crisis challenge after another.  Just enough things to keep me busy and give me a few more grey hairs (for what is left).

No real update on SIL - pretty much status quo.  Not getting any better, not getting any worse which, is actually a good thing.  She is trying to keep a positive outlook even if she doesn't feel it.  I actually had a conversation with her last weekend about where she wanted to be buried - not something I initiated but she wanted me to know her thoughts/wishes.  Damn.  How do you respond to that conversation on the fly?  She is working hard on staying positive, but with the setbacks she has had, it is hard, and I don't blame her.  I gotta admit, given all of her challenges and issues, I am not sure I would take the same path as she has.  My wife has been taking care of her sister throughout this whole ordeal and she is a bit worn down.  I am trying to hold down the fort over here while she is taking care of SIL but it just doesn't seem to equal out to what she has done.  People/family have offered to help out but this is something that we are dealing with ourselves.  

If that wasn't enough stress, got word that my dad is going into surgery in a week or two.  Remember him?  The 90 year old guy that gets up at 0500 every morning for a 3-4 mile walk, tows an Airstream across the country and still gets out and does his own grilling?  This is the first time in 31 years that my folks are not going on their summertime trek to the international Airstream rally up north.  31 years.  I did the math this weekend and figured out that they have been roaming the countryside for almost as many years as we have been married.  This will be the first time we get to spend their anniversary with them at home.  My dad has been feeling at odds and when in to see his doc for a prostate/bladder issue.  They ran the typical battery of tests/exams and ruled out PC (prostate cancer) but he did have an issue that would require some treatment to resolve.  Give the options of wearing a catheter or surgery, he chose surgery.  Now, typically 90 is not considered a good age for surgery, but his doc reviewed his condition and status and said his prognosis was good/strong.  So we are waiting to hear of an open slot next week. Needless to say, his sons are not overly excited about the prospect of him going under the knife (or laser).  As a pessimist and one who as done this kind of surgery, I worry about all of the negative outcomes.  My brother who lives in Seattle is planning to fly in for the surgery to sit with mom and help them out while he recovers/recoups.  When it happens, I plan to take off to sit with my mom while dad goes in (much like I did 10 years ago when she went in for heart surgery).  I working to keep a positive perspective on this deal and not consider any of the negatives but it does tug at the edge of my mind.  I deliberately carved out most of last Saturday to spend it with my dad over at brother's garage.  It was a lame excuse to catch up on things and play with grandnephew and the dogs while getting the 411 about his "procedure".  Next week may be intense but we are keeping our hopes up this turns out well. 




Work has not helped calm things down.  Finished up two projects and two audits only to get three more.  Seems like I am always chasing my tail.  Lots of stress, headaches.  Sometimes the old bait shop is looking better and better.  One bright spot was last week.  We had our annual company celebration for meeting our goals/objectives.  Past years we have gone to a ranch for various activities/food, last year they did a local funplex that had a myriad of activities (games, bowling, laser tag, glow golf).  This year they decided on indoor racing.  Interesting venue.  An organized race with supercharged up go-carts on an indoor track.  Pretty nice ride, but I have to admit it was a bit boring at times.  If you weren't racing, you were talking with your fellow employees or eating lunch.  




Start your engines

New career path

Tailgating
I am not one to complain and I fully appreciate the company shelling out the money for this gig but there was but there was a lot of dead time waiting for your turn to race.  A  good change of pace to the normal routine.  

6 comments:

Rock Chef said...

Hope things start to improve for your SIL - that "no change" situation really takes it out of you.

And best wishes for your father too - he sounds like the tough sort who will do OK - got to get back on the road!

I have only done the go cart thing once and found it really frustrating - idiots really going for it when most of us had a toddler on our laps! Ah well.

Abby said...

Stressful situation with the SIL. I'm glad she's not getting any worse at least.

Your 90-year-old dad still impresses me. My dad will be 90 next month, and when I talk to him, he mainly wants to talk about death. sigh.

I've been to places that included go carts, but never raced because the wait was too long!

lotta joy said...

Honey, when someone is facing their end time, and they want to discuss matters, DO IT. I don't want anyone patting my shoulder and saying "There, there. You're gonna be around for a long time." Then, it will be ME talking to THEM about THEIR end time.

ShadowRun300 said...

I LOVE a good go-kart race! But a long wait would definitely take all the fun out of it.
I admire you and Mrs. Ag for tending to SIL. Not an easy job for sure, but in a way it can be rewarding. I wish her the best.
And sorry to hear your dad has hit a speed bump. I have a pretty good feeling that he'll come through surgery stronger than ever.
As for you, I sure hope things slow down a bit - at work AND at home. Maybe YOU need a cabin get-away.

agg79 said...

Thanks guys for all of the support. It has been a tough road for a while - not so much for us as for SIL. Despite her setbacks, we remain hopeful.

Lotta - I totally agree with you. I did not try to shy away from that conversation - I just wasn't mentally prepared for it at that moment. That said, I did stop what I was doing and focus upon her issues/concerns.

terri said...

Sorry I'm so late in getting here and just reading about your dad now. I hope all goes (or went) well for him. Sounds like your hands are more than full with providing care and assistance to your SIL. A tough situation for sure. Keeping her in my prayers.