Life Happens

Hi Everyone,
It's been a while since I've had a chance to really sit down and do any blogging here.  Just like the title of this post says, sometimes Life does have a way of getting in the way of blogging.  Life threw me a couple of loops during the past few weeks, but I've come out the other side and have a chance to sit down and write.  

A few weeks ago my godfather passed away, just before the 10th anniversary of my grandpa's passing.  He had been ill for the past  year, so this was no surprise, but it was still a hard loss for my family.  The news hit my grandma very hard.  My godfather is my grandpa's brother, and he's always been very close to my grandma.  The news of his passing hit grandma very hard, and she ended up in the hospital with what we thought was a heart attack.  Later, we learned she in fact suffered congestive heart failure.  Grandma survived this ordeal--even at 94 she's a fighter! 

When it was time for Grandma to leave the hospital and go home, the doctor said Grandma would either have to go to a transition center (for rehab and gaining strength), or she could go home, but only if she accepted home health care (nurses and rehab).  About this same time my parents were having their own health troubles and were not able to go and help Grandma.  My parents were both laid up with back trouble, and other things.  My brother was recovering from neck surgery.  I was the most mobile person and so went back home to take care of Grandma.  

Life never has good timing--well, at least in my experience.  I was right in the middle of writing an article for one website, working on a guest  post for another blog, and in the middle of some other projects.  I had to write and let everyone know that I was not going to make the deadlines due to taking care of Grandma back in the States.   These clients were very understanding--and helpful--reassuring me things would be OK and we'd work things out.  At this point, I had no idea how long it would be necessary for me to stay with Grandma.  Thankfully Jiri is a very understanding and family-oriented husband.  He sent me back home with his blessings, knowing I would return when Grandma was stabilized.

Grandma's situation was a bit precarious in the beginning, though she was stronger than I had thought to find her when I got home.  She can be very feisty--all her nurses told her this is what's kept her alive for so long!  I tend to agree!  She was very determined to get back on her feet and be able to do for herself.  This made my job a little bit easier, that and seeing Grandma had that Life spark so strong in her yet.  

Grandma and I had many experiences over those four weeks I was home.  We had many laughs, discussions, and more. We also had some disagreements, with Grandma even getting angry with me!  That's OK...it was my job to look after her, so at times I had to play a more parental role with her!  What a job it is to parent our older family members.  My Mom has had much experience with this type of role, being more like a mother when her mother (Grandma G.) was near the end of her life.  Mom gave me some good advice, as did my Dad.  

Somehow Grandma and I got through this whole process, also having a good visit together, in spite of the reason that brought me back home.  I had a fun time with Grandma's friends, too.  They have quite a busy life at Grandma's assisted living center!  

I've been back in Prague for a about a month, and Grandma's doing great and feeling pretty good.  She will be 95 on her birthday later this month.  During this month I have been busy catching up with the work I couldn't manage while caring for Grandma.  Allergies and asthma also reared up and decided to cause a pretty bad problem.  But a huge dose shot of steroids, prednisone pills and strong antihistamine, in addition to my regular meds, brought me through just fine.  

I have had such a hard time finding the words to share here about what has been happening in my life since March.  It has taken a little time for me to decompress from all of these experiences.  Everything came in such a short time I felt like a tsunami had swept me out of normal living.  Now, all of this has been "processed" in my brain and it does feel good to put it into words here.  

This blog has been  waiting for me and it feels good to be back.  I feel like meeting a long-lost friend after many years.  My feet have definitely been in two places the past couple of months, but that's OK!  I've come out the other side stronger and better than before.  Now, I'm ready to get back into blogging again.  I have a couple of new places to tell you about in the next posts, along with pictures.  I also have a guest post coming up on Expat Harem, by Anastasia Ashman.  I'll be sure to let you know when that post will be live.   

Thank you for coming back to Czech Off the Beaten Path!  

Have a wonderful day!


God bless,
Sher :0) 


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