The day has come. My Dad couldn't even stand up this morning. He's in the hospital now. My sister said it best today. “I don't believe that a man who used to intimidate me with his intelligence now can't figure out how to turn around and sit in a chair.” Getting him into bed was like trying to give a non-pilot in cockpit instructions on landing a plane. I never notice how complex the operation is until you tell someone how to do it from scratch, and then have him do the opposite of what you say, because he's confused.
In a way, the timing is great. I'm injured and can't take care of him as I should, after I stumbled while carrying a box of groceries (I shop at Aldi, can you tell?). Something in the back of my leg went "Snap!" Though I didn't fall, I tore my hamstring. It's not too bad. Yet. I learned years ago that the initial hamstring injury might not be too bad, unless I re-injure and aggravate it. You'd be surprised how much routine movement is dependent on the hamstring muscles. I definitely can't ride the bus, not with those steep steps and motion changes. I have to be careful getting in or out of the car, walking stairs, carrying a weight, getting up from a chair, walking too fast, walking over uneven terrain. Any time I'm not paying attention, I can tear it worse, and even minor ones take weeks to heal.
I'll visit Dad tomorrow. He's being admitted. I'm not sure how long he'll be in. He might be transferred to a rehab or nursing home. How the family will pay for that, I don't really know.
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