When Plans Are Upended In A Moment

Just when you think everything is stable, something happens.

Photo by Martha Dominguez de Gouveia on Unsplash

As the days have turned into weeks of this new medical reality with “Dad”, we’ve settled into a new routine.

Each week, family members divide up responsibilities.

Transportation.

Food.

Mountains of paperwork.

Chores for four households.

We keep it all straight on a shared electronic calendar.

Everything is under control and we can rotate a few days away for some much needed rest and relaxation.

Then, just when we think we have things under control and know what to expect from day to day, it changes.

A medical setback.

Our plan for a routine wound clinic appointment turned into an all day into the night visit to the emergency room with an admission to a special care unit.

The bad news is dehydration, a urinary tract infection, in addition to the original wound, has led to sepsis.

If there is any silver lining, the small local hospital provides excellent care.

I’d like to blame someone.

The nursing home, for allowing dehydration. For not realizing the dramatic behavior change is signaling something is wrong.

The healthcare system in this country where excellent care, the individualized care you’d really like to see for everyone, is unaffordable for all but the very wealthy.

Finding fault doesn’t change the reality that we have a long road ahead of us and that we will navigate it the best we can.

The stress is exhausting.