Grandparents

Run! Run! I just wasted so much time doing random blah blah's on the internet. I hate that feeling! and it's not even 7:30 am! What have I done with my life?!

I'm a little freaked out cuz I'm super stuffed up and it's killing me softly. It's super common to get stuffed up when you're pregnant. My mom has MAJOR sinus issues that run in her family, and she's had a couple of sinus surgeries. She told me that she didn't have ANY sinus problems until she was pregnant, so anytime I feel like this in pregnancy, I'm terrified that it'll never end and that will be the end of my life as I know it. Here's hoping it passes, because permanent sinus problems sounds like the most annoying problem to have.

Also, why are all the grandparents having so many problems in my family? My Oma recently had surgery (she has cancer) and it really took a toll on my Opa's health; just all the stress of it, I guess. And now, since she's been home from her surgery and desperately needing rest and care, he's been in the hospital twice (in one week) because he's had major trouble breathing and his blood pressure keeps either spiking or dropping way too low.  It's been really stressful and emotional for my parents - my mom because she's basically been my Oma's support system through her whole cancer journey. She's driven her to all of her appointments, explained what the doctors were telling her, called and followed up with clinics, etc. and it's definitely been an emotional time.  It's been exhausting/hard on my dad because... well, his dad could die at any time.

 Could you imagine if your dad was dying?!?!? your DAD?! They're supposed to be invincible. Dad's are like the original super hero's of our lives that are supposed to do everything, not be scared of anything, and of course, be immortal. He's spent a lot of time with my Opa; helping him with things that he needs around the house because of course my Oma is in recovery and can no longer do all of the million things she used to do for him on a daily basis. This has been hard for my dad because my dad, much like my Opa, is used to being the dotee, not the dote...r. He has now declared my Oma a saint.  This? This is one of the reasons why I'm so thankful that I have a daughter.  In my dad's family there are only three brothers. Say what you will about gender just being a label, men in general are not nurturers and caretakers.  My dad and his brothers don't know the first thing about taking care of another human being in the way that a woman could. Let me rephrase that... it doesn't come naturally to them.  My dad and his brother are 100% willing and trying their hardest, but the whole selfless thing doesn't come natural to them.  I'm thankful to have a dad (and an uncle) who is willing to put in the time and effort to make sure his parents are comfortable, and also for a mom that pushed him to do so in the first place.

And now my mom tells me that my Grandpa was in the hospital with excruciating pain for the second time this week.  Something about his gall bladder. So my mom was in Peace Arch over night last night making sure everything was okay.

My grandparents are falling apart.
My parents are absolutely exhausted.

And I never look forward to the age of craziness that comes when all the parents are in their late 80's. And I'm sad for my grandparents. And sad for my parents.

And Stuart's Opa died on Thursday.  And he's sad. He's going to the funeral on Friday and coming home Saturday.  As much as I want to be there beside him, it's hard with the kids and also hard that it's happening so close to Christmas and we're going back in just 2 weeks again.  So, he'll make a quick trip of it. I feel so sad for Stuart's mom because now she's lost both parents.  Luckily, she has three sisters that she's very close with to talk to.  This is just another reason why siblings are so important. You need them so much in times like this (I'm assuming!).