I guess I have to accept that I just can't be there for Gretchen like I want to right now...
Today was difficult for me. Gretchen's head is jutting forward and it looks like her neck is stiff. One of the physical therapists kept telling her that she needs to hold her head up but I can see that she can't and that it hurts. The therapist says that the muscles that hold the head up are not engaging but you can't even force her head up into a natural position so I think there is something wrong and the muscles aren't engaging because it is futile. I don't know...
Having spent the day with Gretchen I realize that it is not an option for me. I don't have the vacation time available to even spend a day a week with her if she is going to be there for 10-12 weeks. On top of that, she still has a bunch of confusion. Gretchen knows who we are but she has things from our past out of sequence and she thinks she is on a cruise ship.
Gretchen's therapy went well in the morning and one of the therapists told me that it was okay for Peter to come so I decided to bring him for the afternoon. There was something that I needed to do for work so we arrived late and they had already started working with Gretchen in the gym. I needed to take care of something for work so we found Gretchen and her therapists and I dropped him off and headed for her room to work. Apparently I didn't catch that he couldn't be left alone in the gym. The therapist told me afterward and I apologized and said I wasn't thinking. She assured me he didn't cause any problems but he needed an adult with him and we parted on good terms. Later the therapist from the morning found me and was not happy with me. She told me in no uncertain terms that it was not to happen again and if I had to leave so did Peter. I did not feel that we parted on good terms. Unfortunately, I think she is the head therapist.
I want to help Gretchen and just be there for her. But I am not doing a decent job of that or of taking care of the house or of doing my job (and we haven't even started schooling). How do single parents do it?
Single parents can't homeschool. Are there any co-ops in your area? Maybe an online virtual (redundant) academy. Peter seems like the kind of kid that would be self-motivated.
ReplyDeleteSo many unknowns, but at least 10-12 weeks gives you some type of time frame.
Keep on keeping on.