This months Words for Wednesday prompts are being posted on Elephants Child's blog and provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue Fulton. As always join in by using the prompts in a story, poem, song, or whatever you choose, the idea behind it is for us to write.
When you join in either post your piece in the comments on Elephants Child's blog or leave her a link to the post on your blog. This week the prompts are a couple of phrases:
The show must go on
And /or
The straw that broke the Camel’s back
Doctor visit battle
We have had a really hard time getting Cindy's Dad over his last bout of chest congestion and flu like symptoms, we have had him down to see his doctor several times, and also for tests, x-rays, specialists, and back to his doctor. Yesterday was a repeat performance to go see his doctor again.
"What do you mean that I have a doctors appointment today!" He yelled at Cindy. "Exactly what I said Dad, your appointment is at 2:15" she replied. "Well What if I don't want to go?" He asked. "I can't make you go Dad, all I'm trying to do is keep you out of the hospital!"
Ray's tone was starting to get ugly, and it appeared THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK was when he said, "When you take me to the doctor you need to keep your mouth shut!"
Cindy stared at him for a long minute and then said "Excuse me, what do you mean by that?" "Just what I said, you always go in there and tell him everything, and here I go having to get all kinds of medicine and tests!" This is when Cindy told him that he was on his own and walked out of the room.
Cindy went outside and drank a coke, Ray watched a little Gunsmoke on TV, and at 1:45 I sat up the wheelchair ramp at the back door and brought in his wheelchair, after all THE SHOW MUST GO ON, he did have a doctors appointment and all of you know Cindy would never leave him without her help.
We got Ray loaded into the car and headed down the road towards the doctors office. Ray looked over to Cindy and said "Now you need to remember to tell the doctor how congested I have been, and short of breath, and also how tired I have been getting." "OK Dad I have it all on my list" she said, and he replied "Good I knew that I could count on you."
When you join in either post your piece in the comments on Elephants Child's blog or leave her a link to the post on your blog. This week the prompts are a couple of phrases:
The show must go on
And /or
The straw that broke the Camel’s back
Doctor visit battle
We have had a really hard time getting Cindy's Dad over his last bout of chest congestion and flu like symptoms, we have had him down to see his doctor several times, and also for tests, x-rays, specialists, and back to his doctor. Yesterday was a repeat performance to go see his doctor again.
"What do you mean that I have a doctors appointment today!" He yelled at Cindy. "Exactly what I said Dad, your appointment is at 2:15" she replied. "Well What if I don't want to go?" He asked. "I can't make you go Dad, all I'm trying to do is keep you out of the hospital!"
Ray's tone was starting to get ugly, and it appeared THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK was when he said, "When you take me to the doctor you need to keep your mouth shut!"
Cindy stared at him for a long minute and then said "Excuse me, what do you mean by that?" "Just what I said, you always go in there and tell him everything, and here I go having to get all kinds of medicine and tests!" This is when Cindy told him that he was on his own and walked out of the room.
Cindy went outside and drank a coke, Ray watched a little Gunsmoke on TV, and at 1:45 I sat up the wheelchair ramp at the back door and brought in his wheelchair, after all THE SHOW MUST GO ON, he did have a doctors appointment and all of you know Cindy would never leave him without her help.
We got Ray loaded into the car and headed down the road towards the doctors office. Ray looked over to Cindy and said "Now you need to remember to tell the doctor how congested I have been, and short of breath, and also how tired I have been getting." "OK Dad I have it all on my list" she said, and he replied "Good I knew that I could count on you."
We do get a little unreasonable as we get older....it's hard not to take in personally some times I know....been there done that. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid that I have been on both sides of the coin, it's all part of life and aging, and we always lash out at the ones that we depend on the most at times.
DeleteGetting old isn't for sissies. I can't wait to do just that.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
No Sandee it is not, I look forward to it as opposed to the inevitable.
DeleteOh Jimmy. Loved your tale - and winced. I have been on both sides of that story. I hope that Ray is starting to get better - and send thanks to Cindi and you.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC, I appreciate you my dear friend, I too can see this situation from both sides, and neither one is easy but we are where we are supposed to be and I would't change it for nothing.
DeleteIt's hard to be a family caregiver and sometimes to be the person getting the care. You manage to find the humor in various situations and that really helps.
ReplyDeleteJean you are 100% correct my friend it is a hard situation on both sides of the coin, we all three try to make each other laugh when things are calm, the days are better when you can at least laugh once.
DeleteMaybe a little off topic but I had an old guy at work say "I don't have time for this, I'm retired"
ReplyDelete....
....
where does he have to be?
Being retired comes easier for some people than others, it took me several years to get used to the idea, but the whole time I was thinking everything was going to go back to normal and I could just go back to work...
DeleteThat simply doesn't happen.
Family! Frustrating at times, especially as they age. Sometimes their frustrations come from realizing that they can no longer do some of the things they once did. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYes Cindi, I agree with you 100%, Ray's frustrations are exactly as you described, he is used to doing everything for himself and now the baby of the family is doing it for him.
DeleteThank you Cindi.
Cindy's dad is so lucky to have her. Even though he hurts her feelings at times, I'm sure she doesn't hold it against him. I would think that he's frustrated with not being in control of his situation.
ReplyDeleteMy mom got really upset one evening when I brought her some groceries, and she couldn't get her slaw open. I was preparing to peel the top of the package back, and she started stabbing it right in the middle with the handle of a serving spoon. "Just let me do it my way!" I did.
You are right Val, Cindy doesn't hold anything against him, she is so good at what she does and even though he gets really grumpy with her at times, he doesn't want anyone but her to be there for him.
DeleteLike with your Mom there are times that you have to sit back and let them do things their own way, no matter how long it takes.
Sounds like his frustration at being sick got the best of him for a bit but that he got over it soon enough and was once more willingly leaned on Cindy. Caregivers have to be saints.
ReplyDeletePatti, When it comes down to it Ray always leans on Cindy to take care of him, the frustration happens but it has never been for very long. I agree Caregivers are indeed saints, it takes a special person to do that job.
DeleteConfusing: does Ray want Cindy to keep quiet or not? I understand her anger.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I think Ray actually wants Cindy to be there and speak up for him, but when he gets frustrated then she is the one that he lashes out to.
DeleteI love reading stories with Cindys dad in them. Hes a handful!
ReplyDeleteLisa
He can be a handful Lisa but he is a good man, you would love him in person.
DeleteHaving said here that "elderly people are more tough than children "it goes right with Ray!
ReplyDeletei love cindy for her caring attitude to his father
You are correct Baili it is harder taking care of someone completely dependant on you than it was with the children. Ray is a good man that is used to doing things for himself and Cindy is an excellent caregiver who loves him dearly.
Delete'There but for the grace of God go I' is an excellent expression. Sometimes I dread the future.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Valerie, 'There but for the grace of God go I' this really sums it all up my dear friend, we will all be there one day I am afraid.
DeleteYou know what he is doing don't you? Ray is giving you lessons on how to be a grumpy old man. On the other hand, you could be learning how NOT to be a grumpy old man :)
ReplyDeleteGood use of the phrases.
River he gives us a whole lot of lessons every day, I pray that I am learning how not to do a lot of stuff.
DeleteThank you River the phrases were a fun twist.
Poor Cindy! Can't win for losing (a phrase I've never really understood).
ReplyDeleteGood use of the WFW.
I know that she feels like this at times. Thank you Abby.
DeleteI can relate to Cindy's situation . . . it's hard having someone criticize you when you're trying your best to keep them in good health. I'm glad her father expresses his appreciation at other times. And it's good that Cindy has you to listen to her and help out.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny, I know that you can relate from caring for your Mom, it's all good in the end because the criticizing although hurtful is nothing more than an expression of the frustration that he has for not being able to care for himself.
DeleteWe all get old, but none of us like to be in the position of having our kids take care of us. Being the care-giving parent feels natural; depending on our children for care feels... frustrating. But it sounds like y'all have the situation well in hand, and there's lots of love there to help you over the bumpy spots.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the words. Here's wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, and all the best in the new year.
I agree Susan, the reversal of roles so to say has to add frustration to an already difficult situation, we have found it easier to just let him rant and rave and tell us how to do it correctly while we carry on with the task at hand, whether that be feeding, bathing, or taking him somewhere...it all has to be done regardless, I just pray that we have help when the time comes for us.
DeleteA Merry Christmas to you also my friend.
I've been a caregiver in situations like this, but it's even more rough when it's a family member. You guys handle it with love, patience and support. Great well to tell the story with the Wednesday Words. Hugs and Happy Saturday! RO
ReplyDeleteRO, it is a lot harder when caring for a family member, I believe a lot more emotions come into play. Thank you for your words of support, that means a lot.
DeleteHappy Saturday to you also.