Feel Like A Child Again

Isnt it funny how your parents seem young fit and healthy (if you have a conventional family relationship) until KAPOW! they are 70 and your dad has bowel cancer and has suddenly gone downhill. I got the call from my mum at 7am, "Can you please come?" 5 and a half hours after catching the train, I get there, no panic, but mum needs some respite. Good sister is around but has her own young family to care for (and hubbie away all week, and her own work to do), while Bad Sister has just visited. My mum cant cope with man jobs like fixing grabrails so dad can get off the loo, or out of the downstairs bed; or fixing the hole in the fence the fox has made; or taking back a sack of library books (not to be replaced); or reaching high places in the garden to prune encroaching bramble; or getting a new inner tube for mum's bike; or replacing the mislaid remote. That's my job for now. Suddenly I seem to be able to do acceptable DIY. I feel like a boy again, off out on the bike doing errands, and being told to "just run down to the shop to get a .......".
Mum also needs help with changing the bed twice a day, and clearing the vomit off the floor.

I also have the resources contained in 3 sheds and a garage (that hasn't seen a car in years) with every box and drawer neatly labelled with their contents, in case someone else needed to use them.
I also got to look after nephew age 3 for 2 hours, plus dog plus dad (mostly sleeping) while mum and sister sort out business in Worthing.
Dad is eating less and less. He is nearly as skinny as me. His last favourite was blackberry and apple pudding with custard, but he threw it up straight into the toilet. Oh how me and mum enjoyed our cauliflower cheese in the kitchen adjacent to the loo. Today he has had a yoghurt drink, and custard and water and that's it, which he has kept down, and he hasnt needed his painkillers so far. The scan appointment for tomorrow only came through this morning.
The garden and house are so beautifully cared for, but I can't see it lasting because occasional visits from children and chidren in law ie me and my sisters and their husbands/partners arent going to do it. I thought my mum could do everything, but now she can't. Dad told mum he was so pleased I was doing the jobs he cant do anymore, because he doesnt want to leave them to mum, which caused me and mum to have a few tears and a hug.
My son was so anxious to be here, but his grandpa has got life in him yet, although, sleeping all the time seems to be something they have in common. I persuaded him to go off to his festival in Cornwall where he will be working.
My Dad is still my dad, but suddenly, his spark, his energy has gone. He doesnt even read. He is only there fleetingly to remind me to put Teak Oil on the outside table, or to tell me where the paint brushes are kept. I dont know if he is giving up gracefully, or whether he is just too weak to fight, or whether he will regain his energy. My mum is as determined as ever to gee him up. She has always been tough with my dad (he gave up smoking 20-30 years ago on an ultimatum from her), but she is around for him now and he gets her whole attention. I have never seen her so caring for him. 50 years in October. I know they'll make it.