Invaluable Lessons.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I still do not have the results of what is wrong with Jack and I am hoping and believing it is all going to be able to be worked out. I have confidence in that, (most of the time)..

 

This process however has taught me some really valuable life experiences, one I don't think I could have fully understand had Jack not become ill. ( though I know he is going to be okay and get better)

 

I am going to be 39 years old next month. My entire adult life, my dad has driven me to the point of absolute insanity. My dad has hounded me non stop.. I sometimes avoid talking to him because he wears me out.. The millions of questions, have you done your breathing treatments? You sound tired, you are over doing it. Zip up your coat, call me when you get to work, call me when you get home, Why are you so short of breath? Do you have enough money for your medications? Are you doing your breathing treatments, why are you out of bed???

 

I lived with my dad and his wife when I went to nursing school. I thought I was going to go to jail for murder. If I dared walk around the house bare footed, I was screamed at to put socks on, he would listen at my door while I did my breathing treatments and Chest PT. if that machine shut off one minute before 30 minutes he would pound on the door and ask why I shut my machine off early. I politely would flip him the bird with the door shut so he could not see. I would yell back that I was a grown up women and to please leave me alone.. (not to mention a nurse for petes sake)

 

He loves me so much...He would die for me in one second. both my parents would.. He would take the shirt off his back and give it  to me, He would lay his life down now and die if it meant I could breathe easier and not struggle. He always makes me feel better about sucking all of his and my mom's money dry like a vacuum cleaner each month because I am living above my means until I can get off this oxygen and get back to work.

 

But he still drives me nuts, not only does he call, email, someone taught him to text message, (not very well I might add) so now I get my daily did you hear from the doctor, what are they saying, are you okay, stay out of the heat, don't go to work, don't get out of bed, don't forget your socks, did you tell the doctor your had the hiccups today??/

 

If you think I am exaggerating, I am not.. not even a little bit.. My dad as well as my mom ( she just has a different way of showing it) is head over heels in love with me and he is so desperate for me to be well that he has lost his mind.

 

I in my whole life have not been able to understand this. I have rolled my eyes, I tried to be understanding and know that he loves me and meant well.. Now, fast forward to me having Jack.. as I was getting him ready to go to the vet this am. I contemplated putting a sweater on him because his belly is shaved. and I didn't want him to get cold. YES I live in SC and it is 90 degrees...I home made cooked for him chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, rice, tried yogurt, begged him to eat, promised him a new treat, I am sure he was wanting to flip me the bird too and would have if his paws were not webbed.

 

As the day progressed and I realized that they wanted to keep Jack overnight... and the words came out of my mouth, "then do you have a crate that will fit Jack and I both in it?" I decided for sure the apple does not fall far from the tree.

 

I have learned a taste of what it is like to experience the hell of loving a child fur or otherwise and watching them be sick and not being able to do a blessed thing but worry, pray, worry pray, and OCD of the stupidest things ever because you are just so desperate for them to feel better then you would sleep in a crate all night if that is what it took.

 

I learned to be more grateful and understanding to my parents who watch me daily struggle and they can't fix me. I will no matter if they tell me Jack had a virus and is totally better by some freak chance or no matter what they say, I hope I always remember the hell it feels to watch someone you love more then life itself suffer and not be able to fix them.

 

Lesson learned, now for some good news tomorrow, please.

 

 

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

YOU are the good news! You are able to work through your own issues and see the life lesson in them. You're a good lady, Jennifer! Prayers for good news for your JD tomorrow!

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Jennifer, I think many of us have had a parent who drives us absolutely crazy at times.  I know my mom did many, many, MANY times in the 37 years after I was born.  Much like your parents (and now you with Jack) it was always out of love and wanting what was best for me.  But in the 4 years since my mom passed away, I would give anything and everything to have her drive me crazy again, even just one more time.  Sometimes it's hard to appreciate what you have until you no longer have it.  And sometimes it's difficult to understand someone's actions until the tables are turned.  Congrats on the lesson learned.

Sending hope for good news your way.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Jennifer you are so blessed to have parents who love you so much! I know I drive my son crazy the same way. I had to smile at the mental image of you and Jack in a crate at the vets. Hope you both feel a whole lot better soon.

[Joyce & Wilson]

Jennifer...some people never ever learn this  big lesson in life!  You have..God bless your whole family and especially Jack at this time.  I learned this lesson the hard way 30 some years ago..and would do anything to just  spend an hour with my parents again..

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow Jennifer, thanks for the eye opener. You are so blessed! I never had that and my Dh does, he gets irritated when his parents who live 15 minutes away call to chat for an hour and I get so mad at him and tell him it's really terrible to have your parents call and check on you! You are very wise!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I know from experience you never stop parenting your kids, no matter how old they are or how grown up they think they have become :) Add in an illness and it gets worse. This is a good lesson learned. Good luck today1

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

A life lesson to be sure and one best to never forget.  I love that no matter what our age we continue to learn and grow from life experiences if we are open to seeing them.  Good for you.  I've learned to appreciate my parents in a different way, at my age (54) almost everyone that I know either has both parents deceased or has only 1 left living.  Both of my parents are still alive so when they happen to drive me crazy (mostly my mother who calls waaay too often) I remind myself of all my friends who would love to just have one more call from their mom or dad.                           Now lets hope for some relief for Jack! 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

All of what you say here is true.  I have a daughter who is a constant worry (due to her illness)  and her Dad drives her insane too just as you describe here with yours.  I would not wish for a second that you should understand why your Dad acts the way he does but Jacks situation has given you insight.  What can you do about it?  Nothing much really except perhaps that you may not be quite as frustrated when he calls you for the millionth time tomorrow to check on you.  Love is a strange thing... it can cause us to act a little crazy at times.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I found what you said to be so interesting and so true. A dog is a dog, I know but when you have a pet that you love it is not much different than loving a child. When my old golden was dying and I knew it was time to let him go, I remember hugging him and crying on him. He would move away.....rolling his eyes at me or perhaps flipping me off. he was not emotional,just matter of fact about the whole thing. Your parents love you and are beside themselves with worry..just as you were/are with Jack. A good lesson for you. I wish you good news tomorrow. As a nurse, I know you will handle what comes whatever the news. Jack is lucky to have you and vice versa.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jennifer, this truely is a very valuable lesson and one your were meant to learn. It will give you a new perspective and appreciation for some of what your parents are feeling. Give them both a big kiss and know that you are so loved and so lucky to have parents that care like they do. Sad but true however is that they do exasperate those of us who are blessed to have such caring parents.  Good night and I hope we all wake up to good news about Jack tomorrow.