Ok, we survived the Thanksgiving trip...from Heidi
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive November 2007:
Ok, we survived the Thanksgiving trip...from Heidi
First of all, thank you Yvonne and Bobbie for checking up on me. I realized the title on my last rant was very abrasive and so I'm starting a new one, based on surviving. 
5pm on MONDAY...the night before we left, I got a call from the nursing home saying that the social worker got a hold of someone in social security (apparently heading out the door) that was going to look at my mom's paperwork the following morning. Loooong story short, I was on the Alaskan Airlines about ready to buy her a ticket when the social worker called and said they could take her at 7am the next morning, on our way to the airport!! They were being very accommodating since soc sec didn't see the paperwork until 9am that day.
Stress, stress, stress...the night before we are packing for Washington and then I had to pack up my mom for her new place. We also had parent/teacher conferences that night too. Ugh. I had many many nightmares about just leaving her there without a visit for 3 days and when I came back, she looked SO dehydrated. They had her on thick liquids which, yes she needs because she's had so many strokes she coughs easily on thin liquids, but she REFUSES to drink thick liquids. (It's hard with an adult and realize she is still an adult and will make her own decisions, regardless if they are good for her or not.) So, I finally asked them to put her on thin liquids and she is so much happier. We have visited her every day since we came home and she's slowly getting adjusted. I love bringing Connor there...all the residents just love him and smile from ear to ear. It's also nice to touch their faces and shoulders to let them know someone cares about them. When Scott was gone, I missed being touched (in general). Hugs, shoulder rubs, etc. There's something special about the human touch.
On another note, Connor had *gigantic* meltdown on the plane ride home. He didn't have a nap that day and we didn't get into Denver until 9:30pm, an hour past his bed time. He took his seatbelt off while landing and slapped me in the face. (He was tired and then got mad when I had to put the DVD player away for landing.) I thought I was going to seriously hurt a flight attendant who was being judgmental while I'm sitting there trying to keep my child safe. I was in tears...bad tears and here she is acting like I've done everything wrong as a parent and voicing her opinion to the masses. Connor is *never* bad on any flights but we had to switch our flight to a later flight so the grandparents could accommodate another family member for pictures. AAAuuughhhh...worst flight EVER. I couldn't have imagined it with the added stress of having my disabled mom in tow as well.
So, does survival sound like a good word to describe it all?
Yes it sure does... Heidi the survivor.. ^5
I am so glad to hear about your mom. Now that she has her "own place", I hope you can take a few breaths. Enjoy your visits with her. Time goes by too fast..
Yikes, what a nightmare on the flight home! I haven' been on a plane in year, but I sure can't imagine it with a toddler. He was probably so tired.
I'm glad you got your mom situated, before you left and that she's adjusting now. Phew!
Horay! I'm so glad you've gotten your mother in a good situation. I learned about thick liquids during my stepmothers last hospitalization. Thickened water is pretty special...
Poor Connor! It's a wonder that mom and dad didn't join him in his meltdown after all the stress you've through lately. On the count of three..."WAAAAHHH!" That would have given the flight attendent something to judge! (Bet she doesn't have young children. Or maybe she was having her own post-holiday tantrum.)
Heidi, I'm so glad you found a place for your mom. She must love it when you come to visit with Connor.
I wish I could have been there to comfort you on the plane trip. Lara acts out much like you describe when she's over tired. Mix in something like a plane trip, and she would have lost it too. I know about the looks from others. I wish I could have been there to put my arm around you and remind you that you are a good mom. It's so easy for others to give the looks when they don't know all the facts.
I'm glad everything finally worked out. Did you get to have any fun while you were there?
Heidi, that is wonderful news about your mom. About Connor on the flight - it happens. As for the judgmental flight attendant, though it upset you, let it go, she is NOTHING to you, and obviously hasn't walked in your shoes.
I am glad you were able to get her in a nursing home.
Do not waste your time thinking about the flight attendant.
There are witches everywhere!
(((hugs)))
I am glad it all worked out. Dd once pitched a fit like that on the airplane before we took off!! She was screaming, "make them let me off, I don't want to fly"! She had been on a plane tons of times before this event, so I have no clue what freaked her out! I know exactly how you felt!!
Heidi, I'm glad you were able to get your mom into her facility before your trip. Glad to hear she is adjusting.
My kids have acted out on planes before, too. That's what kids do. Don't let it bother you. You know why Connor was upset and that is all that matters.
Once, I walked onto a plane with my three girls who were 5,3 and 1 at the time. The first leg of a 24 hour trip to Okinawa. One lady started complaining about having to fly while sitting next to kids....we hadn't even sat down yet and they were being fine. I looked at her and told her to get off my back and deal with it!
She apologized to me when we were getting off the plane.
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