Next on the list of things to do for mom:

Find doctors.

For the last few months we’ve been living in limbo. We weren’t exactly sure where we were going to be living (which city), and I had a hard time wrapping my arms around the motivation to find a doctor for my mom when I knew we could be leaving in a couple of months. Which we did.

Now that we’re back in a familiar city with familiar resources, it’s time to get serious. Lately my mom has been getting migraines. The migraines make her think something is terribly wrong with her, which then leads to minor panic. So she approaches me about needing to go to a doctor. I remind her we’re waiting until we’re settled, but definitely try to figure out if it’s an ER situation. Every time she insists that it’s not an ER situation, so I give her a little bit of Aleve, and she heads to bed. I’m reassured because the Aleve seems to help.

But I’m not a doctor, so it’s time to stop living in denial that everything will take care of itself.

To be honest, I’m dreading the whole process. I have to be the eyes, ears and brain for my mom. I am her health care advocate. I will likely be her power of attorney. I have been avoiding this because I don’t want the responsibility. Once I launch this process, I will be immersed in the world of geriatric care. Since I’m in my early thirties, I thought it would be a long time before I would be dealing with that specialized area. I hope my mom takes well to my invovlement. I have to be thoroughly involved. She lives in my house. Spends immense amounts of time with my children. I have to know what her mental and physical health states are. And because I don’t trust her memory, I have to make sure she’s following the doctor’s orders and diagnosis.

As a working mom of two young girls and a wife, I have a hard time remembering what I’m supposed to be doing with myself, my kids and my husband. I juggle the responsibilities of four people. Now I’m adding a fifth.

Can I get someone to go with me who can remember what I need to remember for my mom?

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