Burden on Parents

Throughout the past seven weeks, my parents have not complained once but I think this surgery and recovery has been a huge burden on them. From visiting me daily in the hospital, then calling 911 for my hypoglycemia episode, to driving me everywhere, and just taking care of me while I’m recovering. They are both 78 years old so all this extra stress can’t be good for them. I know I’ve been sharing some of my anxiety with my mom and it hasn’t gone over well. I think I need to recover faster so I can relieve some of the pressure on them. If they would just let me drive to dialysis by myself.

Here is a list of things they are doing for me, or issues that come up because of the surgery and return to hemodialysis. I need to thank them for putting up with all this.

• Visiting me in the hospital daily for two weeks
• Sleeping with me downstairs in the other recliner for three weeks before I could climb the staircase
• Helping me get in/out of the recliner several times per day
• Fetching food, drinks, and other stuff before I could get things myself comfortably
• Stress of finding me delirious then calling 911 for the paramedics to take me to the ER
• Missing church and small group for four weeks
• Eating low sodium and low taste food for my new diet
• Driving me to dialysis and doctor’s appointments; waiting with me several times at the local Social Security Administration office
• Having to wash my back and shampoo my hair
• Walking with me for first few weeks to make sure I don’t fall down or run out of energy
• I’m sure there is a lot more…

I guess I’m lucky they are still around and fairly healthy. Not only do they actually take care of me, I need a caretaker at home before UCLA will approve a kidney transplant. Likewise, if I opt for home hemodialysis, I will need a partner to go through training and be there for emergencies.