fosteronfilm‘s mom called with a status update. It seems that my DIL is recovering fine from the infection, but he’s having even more problems with his breathing. Unfortunately, we couldn’t interpret what the details of the situation are from my mom-in-law’s explanation. It seems that they need to periodically put him on “the machine” (oxygen? respirator? guh?) because there are times when he can’t breathe at all–something to do with a build up of carbon dioxide in his lungs. And he fluctuates between being alert and perfectly lucid, and woozy and disjointed. No big surprise there, as I’m sure it’s related to how much air he’s getting, and therefore how much oxygen is getting to his brain.
My MIL is dealing with it as well as she can, but she’s so very helpless without my DIL to take care of her. It worries me. She got panicky driving back from the hospital by herself because she’s not used to driving on the freeway, and she got unhappy because a set of sweat-clothes had been left on the floor in a bag (from the hospital, I assume), and so sent them through the dryer so they wouldn’t wrinkle (let me tell you how often I stress about wrinkles, oh yeah, that would be never). Unfortunately, she forgot to take DIL’s inhaler out of the pocket and sent it through the dryer as well. fosteronfilm told her to consult the pharmacist before letting his dad use it after that . . .
They’re both so hidebound in their roles. There’s a decidedly charming aspect to it: he takes care of her, and she takes care of him, but without each other, they sort of fall apart. She’s never done her own taxes; he’s never cooked a meal–that sort of thing. While I’m a huge proponent of healthy co-dependence, I’m very worried about my MIL.
On the laptop front, in a bit of timely vent-ableness, I got a “Customer Service Evaluation” request from HP on my recent experience with their service. I’m looking forward to filling it out . . . mwahahahaaa. Not that I think it’ll accomplish much, but it’ll be nice to engage in a bit of satisfaction-inducing ranting.
Writing Stuff
It has been brought to my attention (thanks basletum!) that Escape Pod is having a poll for “favorite story of 2005” and that “The Life and Times of Penguin” is listed among the nominees. I’m honored by the nomination and compelled to engage in shameless vote pimping. So: Vote for “Penguin,” yo!
And if you haven’t listened to it yet, you can download it HERE. And while you’re there, check out all the other wonderful podcastic offerings at Escape Pod.
Received:
– 25-day SALE of “Nobodies and Somebodies” to Aberrant Dreams. First sale of the year. Rah!
this should go without saying but i will certainly keep your father in law and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers.
this should go without saying but i will certainly keep your father in law and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Congrats on the sale. And have fun writing your customer service evaluation. Sometimes it’s fun being a writer, isn’t it 😉
Congrats on the sale. And have fun writing your customer service evaluation. Sometimes it’s fun being a writer, isn’t it 😉
Brain is distracted this morning. I meant to add good thoughts for both of your in-laws. I know what you mean about the kind of dependence and helplessness that can develop, and I hope things get better soon…
Brain is distracted this morning. I meant to add good thoughts for both of your in-laws. I know what you mean about the kind of dependence and helplessness that can develop, and I hope things get better soon…
Grats on the sale! (Now I need my first sale of the year…)
Since I don’t know you in RL, I feel a bit presumptuous offering prayers or well wishes for your family, but yes, you’re all in my thoughts…
Grats on the sale! (Now I need my first sale of the year…)
Since I don’t know you in RL, I feel a bit presumptuous offering prayers or well wishes for your family, but yes, you’re all in my thoughts…
Rah!
Rah!
Congrats on the sale!
Congrats on the sale!
Yay for the sale, and sending good thoughts to your in-laws (and you!) that everything works out for the best. Good luck!
Yay for the sale, and sending good thoughts to your in-laws (and you!) that everything works out for the best. Good luck!
Is DIL using an oxygen generator or an oxygen tank? My grandmother uses a generator, which is indeed a machine. My grandmother’s brother-in-law just had a tank that he took with him everywhere. Indeed, Don could not be without oxygen at any time. (Incredibly, he smoked until the day he died).
Anyway, I hope they have a respiratory therapist lined up. He sounds like he needs one. Good wishes for the ins.
Is DIL using an oxygen generator or an oxygen tank? My grandmother uses a generator, which is indeed a machine. My grandmother’s brother-in-law just had a tank that he took with him everywhere. Indeed, Don could not be without oxygen at any time. (Incredibly, he smoked until the day he died).
Anyway, I hope they have a respiratory therapist lined up. He sounds like he needs one. Good wishes for the ins.
I honestly have no idea what sort of oxygen apparatus‘s dad is on. Neither his mom nor dad are really great with either grasping or explaining the medical treatment details. It really hammers home how differently people deal with theses sorts of things, I suppose. In their shoes, I’d be digging up every tiny piece of detailed info I could, but it seems they’re happier not knowing.
I honestly have no idea what sort of oxygen apparatus‘s dad is on. Neither his mom nor dad are really great with either grasping or explaining the medical treatment details. It really hammers home how differently people deal with theses sorts of things, I suppose. In their shoes, I’d be digging up every tiny piece of detailed info I could, but it seems they’re happier not knowing.
sorry to hear that the Dad-in-Law is not doing well. I hope he does better and that the Mom-in-Law recovers from her aversion to wrinkled sweat clother. I have had limited interactions with both, some 25 years ago. They do have their own charm. Though can’t say I find not being able to fix a meal that charming.
Congrats on the sale!
sorry to hear that the Dad-in-Law is not doing well. I hope he does better and that the Mom-in-Law recovers from her aversion to wrinkled sweat clother. I have had limited interactions with both, some 25 years ago. They do have their own charm. Though can’t say I find not being able to fix a meal that charming.
Congrats on the sale!
Yep, yep. I absolutely adore Matthew’s folks, but the amount of stubborn and stuck in their roles they are boggles the mind. I sometimes have a hard time reconciling how very cool and liberal they are with their advanced level of hideboundness.
Yep, yep. I absolutely adore Matthew’s folks, but the amount of stubborn and stuck in their roles they are boggles the mind. I sometimes have a hard time reconciling how very cool and liberal they are with their advanced level of hideboundness.
Hope the inlaws get through it all okay. Big congrats on first sale of the year. May you have many, many more (including a novel sale)!
Hope the inlaws get through it all okay. Big congrats on first sale of the year. May you have many, many more (including a novel sale)!
Wishing your in-laws well, and congrats on your 1st sale in 2006.
I’m still ahead of you on words written, though. ;-P
Hope you get your HP fixed soon, and tell Hobkin to stop eating my fairies! 🙂
Wishing your in-laws well, and congrats on your 1st sale in 2006.
I’m still ahead of you on words written, though. ;-P
Hope you get your HP fixed soon, and tell Hobkin to stop eating my fairies! 🙂
Congrats on the sale! I got close but not quite there in November (made it to the EIC at least) and got the invite to submit again. Course, I don’t much stuff in the Aberrant vein, but maybe that’ll change in ’06.
Hope the DinL gets better.
Congrats again. No doubt the first of many for ’06.
Congrats on the sale! I got close but not quite there in November (made it to the EIC at least) and got the invite to submit again. Course, I don’t much stuff in the Aberrant vein, but maybe that’ll change in ’06.
Hope the DinL gets better.
Congrats again. No doubt the first of many for ’06.