I know I am not the only person struggling to keep some form of a schedule while seeing to the care of a parent. But, it sure feels like it.
For the past several months I have struggled to juggle my schedule in order to accommodate Mom’s medical appointments. Don’t misunderstand, please. I am not complaining about helping Mom, or taking her where she needs to go. I am simply acknowledging the difficulty in trying to work out a routine.
It seems the past eight months has been more difficult to schedule my time than normal. I have one client whom I provide on-site services. Until Mom’s health started getting bad, I was on-site every workday. I have my own equipment in the office, so I could work on other projects from there.
Now, I struggle to be on-site three days a week, for a few hours. I technically fulfill the terms of our agreement, but have to leave after a few hours to get back to my home-office.
Almost without exception, Mom has had two appointments per week for months. They are combinations of check-ups with the general practitioner, cardiologist, dermatologist, by-weekly blood work, and now a endocrinologist, and podiatrist. In between we have a few unscheduled appointments for medication issues, and stuff.
Taking her to these appointments consumes an entire day. I always take her to eat, either before or after, because she doesn’t eat right most of the time. The appointments are never on time, so you basically throw away an hour just for waiting. Then there are the trips to the pharmacy afterwards. This means I have two days per week that I can’t do client or freelance work.
I still have household responsibilities: cooking, cleaning, laundry, dogs, cats, etc. I have been trying to develop my upcycling business, too. Oh, and writing a book on my experiences with this transition to parental care support, or whatever this is called.
Again, please don’t misunderstand. I love my parents! This is not a complaint. It is an attempt to work out some way to get everything done. I don’t see that happening just yet.
By Robin Holstein
Robin’s Upcycle is located in Kanawha County, WV. Open by appointment.
Phone 304-460-5NEW (5639).
For info, visit facebook.com/robinsupcycle