This past weekend, Husband and I left home for four days to visit his parents. Leaving home meant leaving behind Mom to care for Dad by herself. Normally this isn’t a problem as Mom can handle Dad on her own… she has for quite a while. However, it seems whenever us kids fly the coup, whether for a short getaway or for the long haul, Dad doesn’t react very well. He loves having his kids around so when we leave, his behaviors start to change and he seems to decline. This was evident once again when Husband and I left.
We prepared Dad ahead of time and told him it would just be for a few days and we would call every day, several times a day, but once we were gone, Mom said Dad wasn’t doing too well- especially on the first day. The first time I called home, I could tell Mom was upset on the phone and fighting back the tears. Dad had been sobbing for hours and Mom was trying to pick up the pieces. I know it broke her heart to see him like that and I can’t help but feel bad for having triggered it. I know it’s not my fault, it’s just the way it is, but I do feel bad. It’s hard on Mom.
Luckily, Mom and Dad were able to get pass the first few days and Dad started to get a little better. They managed to get out to the movies, go to church and even do a little housework. Dad was doing a little better but definitely no where near as good as he had been doing.
I hate when he starts to go downhill. He has been doing so well lately and then something like this sets him back… such is the life of this terrible disease. Hopefully now that we’re home, Dad will start improving. Today he hasn’t been doing too well but here’s to a new day…
