If it seems like I haven't been around too much lately here posting it is because not only is it time for a weather season change and all the readiness that needs to happen for the long winter months but I have had a "life season" change as well. Being the oldest child in my family, I have taken on the responsibility of caring for my aging parents. They are still able to relatively live on their own but they need help with making sure that the bills get paid and that the every day upkeep of their home is done. Two weeks ago, I was officially made my parents' power of attorney so that I am able to help them. So I have been concentrating on getting the mess of their finances cleaned up and a monthly budget working for them on their fixed income. Just about the time I see the light at the end of the tunnel some other bill or circumstance pokes through the piles of papers! So I have had to put aside some of usual free time activities(yes as a mom I try to have free time!) and work through my parents' financial matters.
My mom has also been diagnosed with progressive dementia so that has put some challenges into the mix of things as well.
Along with all of this, today my 24 yo brother is at the hospital for all the pre-op appointments along with getting admitted to the hospital. Then tomorrow(Oct 13th) around 8am he is going in for a 10-12 hour open heart surgery.
He was born with a 3 chambered heart and has had open heart surgery before(back when he was 2 1/2yo). The surgery is to do a repair on the repair that he had done when he was 2 1/2yo. Basically medical technology has changed enough over the years that his doctors are confident that they can make his heart work in his adult body as a 4 chambered heart. He also has transposition of the great vessels so the option for an artificial heart or heart transplant are out of the list of possibilities.
Also this will be like the 6th or 7th time that my brother has had his heart medically stopped and restarted again. Each time this happens it is one less time that the heart can be stopped and restarted.
My dad is at the hospital(which is out of town for us) with my brother and my mom is home and alone for the majority of the next 48 hours!! I still have a unmarried 35yo sister and mentally impaired 22yo brother that still live at home so my mom won't be alone all the time but during the day today and some of the day tomorrow.
The reason for calling the prayer warriors....pray for my family at this time it is a very stressful time with my brother's surgery. Also pray for strength for the 3 doctors that will be operating on my brother tomorrow. Also pray for patience for when I am working with my parents on their financial mess! They have made some unwise decisions and it has left them with not a whole lot of money to work with in their pockets.
TIA for the prayers! I will post an update on my brother when I know more after his surgery tomorrow!
