Wednesday, August 10, Lilly’s grandma ended up in the emergency room and then the cardiac intensive care unit after another bout with an irregular beat that led to a few bad things. She had open-heart surgery years ago to put in a mechanical heart valve. So, this isn’t our first time at the heart-trouble dance, as they say. These hospital stays mean lots of time away from the house, and I miss my Lilly girl. She misses me too.
The first day, Tom put the dogs to bed before I got home. The second day, they were still asleep when I left. And, so it goes. A couple of days, I got to spend a half day at home, but I had so much to do — catching up on daily life and work-work — that poor Lilly stared at me for a while, then she gave up on me and went to sleep somewhere else in the house.
Lilly pressed her chin on my leg as I worked, adding a certain firmness to the process she waits. And waited. When she gave up on me, as my attention went elsewhere, the absence of her warmth, of that reassurance via pressure, dawned as “cold” on my consciousness.
Cold and empty. And, far … far away … even when close.
It breaks my heart, but time isn’t on my side when these family medical emergencies happen. I can only hope having me in the house, even if my attention is elsewhere, is enough for her. I know it isn’t for me. Not by a long shot.
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So, if I seem less in touch and “around” online for a while, that’s why. I’m offsite dealing with these and other family matters … while doing my best to work from the hospital too.
I’m thinking of you. I’m so sorry about your mom’s latest emergency.
I hope you, the dogs and Tom are all hanging in there, and that your mom is recovering. And I like Pamela’s suggestion – wake the dogs up and have a good cuddle!
That must be awfully hard — dealing with serious health issues in the family and feeling badly for having less time to spend with our dogs.
Animals are forgiving in nature and empathetic. Lily will not hold this against you but I do hope that your mother attains full recovery very, very soon.
I hope for a brighter future for you and your human family and Lilly family. Take care, Carol
Special prayers for your Mother and a speedy recovery, for you and for your Lilly.
Warm hugs to all,
Julia
Sorry for your troubles, hope they resolve SOON and you get to spend some time with your Lilly. Our pups sure give us a lot of leeway!
I am so sorry your mother’s health has not improved. I hope she will recover soon and you can spend some quality time with Lily. It’s hard to be away from our companions when we need them the most.
It’s so hard to play all the roles you’ve been given and when an emergency happens, it’s even harder. I hope your Mom is doing better and that you can get some rest.
And I don’t think Ginko and Lilly would mind one bit if you woke them up for a little pet or cuddle after a long day. It would probably do you all some good. 🙂
So sorry, Roxanne. I hope you get to come home to Lilly soon and that grandma gets better!
Thanks. I know you’ve been through similar things. It is not easy. Alas, the only way forward is THROUGH.