Getting Old and all that Stuff

I have a 98yr old grandma. She has been living with us since the dawn of the dinosaurs ...or so it seems! Through all my growing up years I dont think I fully appreciated all the things she did for me because she annoyed me more that I could possibly put into words. She was always shouting - because she refused to wear her hearing aids - she was always criticising - because I wasnt a "good girl". Sigh. But, when the chips were down and things "came a-gusta" she was there...quitely in the wings ...lending me support.

On Thursday last week, she went for her quarterly check up at the doctors, and fainted while attempting to sit down to wait.The doctor did the "once over" and said that she would be sore and sorry for a few days and she had to come back on Tuesday (today) when the swelling and bruising went down. Thus, my patient and long suffering mother, and her sister, my grandma's other daughter, diligently took her in to the doctors. It was decided that the injuries sustained (two black eyes, upper and lower left cheek, sore ribs and mightly bruised left leg) required more attention and an X-ray was deemed necessary....Six hours and several x-rays later, she has been told that she has x3 cracked ribs and a broken eye socket ! What to do? She is too old and frail to go to surgery for "patching up".?! The doctors sent her home with PANADOL for the pain..and told her to see a specialist ?! WHAT THE?! SIX HOURS at the hospital and she gets panadol and a referral for a specialist at some undetermined time. Sheesh ! So the saga continues.

My heart not only goes out to my grandma for her sad and sorry state, but to my poor mother who is her full time carer. Not enough credence is given to carers who save the government gazillions of dollars in caring for their loved ones. My mum cooks, cleans, washes, chauffers, medicates, bathes and now changes my grandma for a measley sum of $95 per week. When you consider her earing potential as a paid worker, the money is nothing really. So sad. My mum tells me she is obligated to care for the woman who gave birth to her and provided for her while she was growing up - and because she loves her. That I understand. What I dont understand is how the government can come up with a "number" out of the air and say to my kind and caring mother  - this is how much your services are worth. Thankfully, we have the gospel that teaches us to love one another and to serve one another. NO dollar worth given in the scriptures - but a promise of blessings. Who could put a price on blessings?

Watch this space for further developments.