Well 2013 surely was a year of change, change, change….Dec 20th (yes I am counting Dec 2012 as part of last year for us) we found ourselves back in the US to begin a totally new sort of journey, caring for my elderly parents. And since that time …
- Dec – 2 days after arriving to US, dad has mild heart attack.
- Dec - Dad has amputation #1 and begins his 3 month rehab at the Nursing Home where Mum lives.
- Jan - found a little house to rent in Winchendon with a PINK bathroom! ( & the adjustment to living in Massachusetts begins).
- Jan - Job searches & starting from scratch to fill our home with furniture, etc.; (we get very familiar with the local thrift stores & Salvation Army facilities …. Quite awesome actually) .
- Feb – Dad gets approved for a handicap unit in his apt complex .
- Feb - Dad has to have bi-pass on 2nd leg (hoping to avoid 2nd amputation). 1 step forward & 2 steps back
- Mar – Mike finds work in Franklin…(however, 1 ½ hr drive each way…. ick).
- Mar - Dad moves home to his new handicap access apartment & I become full time care giver.
- Mar - I learn to transfer him on/off bed; in/out of vehicle; on/off toilet & how to control meds & weekly blood tests….we become a TEAM! (& a very good one at that).
- Mar – After a 4-day, round the clock vigil with my sibs, we say goodbye to Mum She goes home to be with Jesus on Palm Sunday.
- April- Dad’s bi-pass fails; he decides to NOT to the have surgery(amputation) that would stop the infections…(at this point, he just wants to go be with Mum and so we start pre-hospice care).
- April/May- Dad gets weaker & weaker…my brother helps Mike & I take turns spending the night with him.
- June – Dad finally opts for 2nd amputation & rehab (whew)
- June – Mike is contacted by old employer and starts new job at Staples in Framingham (still 1 ½ hr drive each way, but a little more mullah).
- July – Dad returns home to begin life as a double amputee.
- July -We relearn to transfer ….harder now, have to begin using artificial leg to get in and out of chair. Begin visiting nurse program OT & PT help.
- July- Dad needs permanent help…again, my brother & I take turns spending the night on his floor.
- Aug – Dad gets rushed to the hospital for an infection…needs a blood transfusion (sigh) soooooo…..
- Aug – we talk him into moving into our little house with us & transform the living room into his bedroom. Continue with OT/PT visits. Dad begins to get stronger, more independent & emotional state improves!
- Sept – Dad is crowned Wii Bowling Champion. (whoo hoo!!)
- Sept - we start looking for a house for all 3 of us, with handicap access. Find one but Govt furlough puts a halt to the progress (funny how the Lord can use the weirdest things to say…uh uh, not THAT way). So instead ….
- Oct -The Lord leads us to a small assisted living facility that has amazing staff onsite 24/7. He would have a little studio apartment, it boasts a nice restaurant style dining room AND is actually running a “special” to move in right away. It is in Leominster. Dad likes it & the decision is made for him to move there.
- Nov – we find an adorable little garden apartment in Clinton. It is only ½ hr drive to work now for Mike, just 15min away from Dad…. AND they allow pets!
- Dec – We find & adopt Riko from a local animal rescue facility just before Christmas. They partner with a group who rescue dogs in Puerto Rico (hence the name we gave him). He is a joy & a ½ let me tell you…full of spunk and attitude! (our kind of dog).
So here we are in 2014… Mike is happier at work now that his drive is less & he can work from home a couple days a week. I spend time with my Dad 3-4 days a week to help with showers, meds, take his blood test & just to hang out. We got permission from Dads complex to bring Riko with me when I go & my Dad loves him. He is great with people so I am able to take him almost everywhere. Dad is doing great! He is very independent now & has a little battery powered wheelchair he zooms around in. Now that Dad is finally settled, I am starting to look for part-time work that will allow us to supplement the cost of the place where Dad is staying & still give me time to go in & help him…God will provide that too.
As we look back on 2013, Mike & I cannot believe the journey God has taken us on so far. We look forward to what He might have in store for us this up-coming year and finally feel like we are in the place He wants us to be so we can truly begin our life here in Massachusetts.
We thank you all for your continued Prayers! We are only as strong as our faith in God & the support from our family & friends! We love you all!
Mike, Jeanine & Riko
