Beginnings and endings

At the start of the day, with the air still very cool following a clear night, the ambulance pulled up outside Mum's.  The lovely guys who were operating the ambulance were very efficient and had Mum whisked through the fresh air in seconds and then transferred to her favourite, cosy chair.  There was a big, beaming smile and an enormous sense of relief from both Mum and I as I waved our thanks to the ambos and closed the front door.  Home at last :)

The day became a re-settling day as we moved and shuffled a few things around, talked about things and re-oriented ouselves.  The carers arrived as they'd said they would - 12.30, 4.30 and 9.30......Yvonne, Laura and Wendy - all lovely ladies who have appear to have oodles of comapassion and sensitivity.  Coming home was what Mum had been focussed on for the past 13 days.  The reality of being home began to dawn once the initial joy had settled.  The realisaton that there are are many things that haven't changed and will (continue to) be a challenge for her plus there are new challenges to overcome........fear of having another fall, of being alone, fear of having to return to hospital.  It will be a long journey.......

The day had started with so much hope, happiness and relief.  It ended in complete contrast when I received the news from home that dear Bene, my beautiful big Bene, had gone missing a day or so ago.  He was found by someone along the road in a very poor state yesterday afternoon and taken to the SPCA who, noting his poor condition (he's been treated for hyperthyroidism for a while and had gradually lost weight, condition and, in the last couple of days, appetite) and made the decision to eauthenise him.  It hurts to think of the poor wee man suffering and alone but they're my feelings - it was absolutely the right decision for Bene, to put a halt to his suffering and pain. I'm going to miss him so much.  My journey home will now be heaped with sadness at both ends.