I've been following all the things here and I just want to send support to everyone that needs it. On my end I'm overwhelmed with life, work, and anxiety so I keep finding myself at a loss for something to say here, but I am always thinking of you all and want the best for all of you.

Bev, holy shit, those are too many things.

Thanks for the wishes for my dad. He was doing better, then this morning woke up confused and unable to see for a while. We're trying to convince my dad to go back to the ER to get him on oxygen before his doctor's appointment tomorrow, but I'm not sure we're going to succeed.

I'm also talking my sister through a bit of a separate crisis. And I'm On Call. And work is being both insane and stupid.

Anyway. Deep breaths. I can get through this, but I'm just saying that I would prefer not to.

Bev, that is a lot of complicated shit! I hope your husband gets home easily and has a really uneventful recovery!

Thanks for the wishes for my dad. He was doing better, then this morning woke up confused and unable to see for a while. We're trying to convince my dad to go back to the ER to get him on oxygen before his doctor's appointment tomorrow, but I'm not sure we're going to succeed.

Dad of Shrift: sir, you couldn't see out your eyeballs this morning! Get the oxygen and spare your family that amount of stress!

I can get through this, but I'm just saying that I would prefer not to.

I feel that. We need to get a referral to a psychiatrist for my dad (or take him to the psych ER), because he's still having the hallucinations AND he believes that aliens* have revealed secrets only to him because he's the only one worthy (which he only told my brother, not me — I don't know to ask about his delusions if he's never mentioned them before, and he's never mentioned being Earth's contact point for the aliens).

Also, my 65-year-old stepdad is worried that my 77-year-old mom is having some cognitive/memory issues because she takes a benzo every night to sleep. And that probably is a contributing factor, but also, she's 77 years old. There's just going to be some cognitive/memory issues as a part of age.

*(If the aliens talking to my dad are the hot aliens from Roswell, and he hasn't told me, there will be a reckoning. That's the kind of thing you tell your daughter about!)

{{{shrift}}}

augh, parents.

Oof, good luck, Teppy. I'm thankful that for all my dad's health problems (and general old man crankiness) he's at least still very with it mentally (which was HILARIOUS when my aunt, my mother's sister, came down to visit a few months ago and we went to see him, and she acted like he was senile, introducing herself as "your wife's sister" as though he would've forgotten...they've only known each other >50 years!)

sir, you couldn't see out your eyeballs this morning!

Pretty much exactly what I said in the group chat!

We need to get a referral to a psychiatrist for my dad

Woof. That's rough. I hope they can figure out what's going on, but I'll also cross my fingers for hot aliens. Why not cover all the bases.

(((shrift)))

Teppy, I know you don't do hugs, so I will wave pompoms from here that you can find someone for your dad.

WHY do we have to get old? Well, I know why, but I wish the wear and tear was only physical, not mental.

Also, very much what Noise said.

I'll also cross my fingers for hot aliens.

This would be the best outcome.

Thanks for the good wishes, everybody.

Shrift, I'm so sorry you're dealing with your dad's illness. I send you all good wishes, for him, and for yourself.

Steph, I think it's perfectly logical and proper to go ahead and discuss his delusions with him on the premise that of course he's discussed them with you and your brother. He'll probably accept that.

B is still in the hospital. Complications, blockages, unpleasantness, and the staph infection has dug in and set up housekeeping and doesn't wanna leave. He tells me he's got IV needles in both arms and his bedside is festooned with bags. He's feeling better after a bad night, but now instead of releasing him Friday they want to keep him till Tuesday, so they can knock that staph down. They'll be going in surgically after the stones--in both kidneys--after the crushing maneuver failed spectacularly. But the nurses are efficient and kind and the doctors have senses of humor, and he's doing okay. Again thanks for the ~ma, much appreciated.

Sheryl, I'm happy for you you're back in your house! Calli, I approve of tea to sip and cat on lap. We don't have pets anymore, but I'm sure I can find a bear or a bunny to cuddle. Not as good as a real cat or dog, but comfort is comfort, and I'll take it.