Circle of Life

I'm writing this post from a hospital room in Alta View Hospital. A rerun of Conference is in the background. We just had sacrament administered by the hospital branch bishopric. Jennie is doing a crossword puzzle. And we're waiting for my mom to pee. It's the circle of life, I tell you. I remember bringing Katie home from the hospital when she was a newborn and waiting impatiently for her to go to the bathroom. It seemed like everything was riding on how much she went or didn't go. And here I am doing the same for my aging mother. We just showered her and all of us joked about how she used to do this for us. God definitely knows how to make the playing field even. We'll all be in the same boat; our kids will be changing our diapers eventually. Elton John had it right.

Wednesday, Jennie and I brought my mom to the E/R. She has seemed off for weeks. But over Conference weekend, she started to really fade. She kept falling asleep and started getting loopy. Wednesday morning, she fell over. We were worried she suffered a stroke. Once in the E/R, the craziness began. Over the last few days, we've been told she might have kidney failure, thyroid tumors, bone cancer, other forms of cancer and other tumors. So, there have been tests and more tests, and waiting and more waiting. And eating. Man, you get tired of watching tv, surfing and reading, so you go to the cafeteria just for entertainment. I think I've gained 10 pounds while I've been here. Either Jimmy, Jennie or I have sitting with her and as tiresome as it gets for us, my poor mom has been going crazy. Yesterday, she said she was going home whether they liked it or not. I'd like to have seen that.

Fortunately, we're going home today. Hence the waiting for her to pee. It seems she has hypercalcimia (spelling?) which is due to taking in too much calcium which was causing her renal insufficiency. In plain English, she basically O.D.ed on her calcium supplements, wasn't eating enough to absorb it, and her kidneys stopped functioning. So, she's better enough to go home, but not completely out of the woods. She still needs to have some follow-up on her kidneys, diet etc.

It's so cliche to say, but it's really hard to see your parents age. My poor parents have really gotten more than their share of physical hardships. I hate to see them suffer. But for me, it's a mixed blessing. I don't know of a better opportunity to serve and give back then to help your parents when they need it the most: their geriatric years. John and I joke/complain a lot that we're both the George Baileys of our families. You know, George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life." We never get to move or "fulfill" our crazy dreams due to all of our familial responsibilities. We've given up a lot of opportunities to be close to home, but we've seen the blessings in return. It may or may not be a sacrifice, but truthfully, we're the ones that are rewarded.

When the branch presidency came in, they shared a quote from Richard Edgley which really says it all: "I rejoice in belonging to such a loving and caring organization as the Church. No one knows better how to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. I choose to call it 'enduring together.' What happens to one happens to all. We endure together. May we be an instrument in lightening the burdens of others."