I need to rant. Family stuff. [View All]

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

My mother suffers from severe autoimmune disorders, including fibromyalgia, asthma, and serious food allergies. She can get along fine in her own home, with no strong scents and carefully selected and prepared food, but anything else is very stressful for her. It's only been the last decade or so that her health has been so fragile, and only a few years since we finally found out what was wrong.

My dad is... impatient. He doesn't really understand what Mom goes through, since he's never had any serious health problems of his own, and she appears to be perfectly healthy day-to-day. Dad's job is stressful, and he's getting close to retirement. Travel is not possible for Mom; not only does she need a controlled environment, but she's also afraid of flying.

Mom does the best she can, and she hates the fact that we have to accomodate her needs. Dad doesn't like to talk, about anything, and whenever there's a crisis, he resents having to plan his time around her. This isn't what either of them expected when they were young, and it's very hard on both of them.

Normally we're okay. As long as we respect that certain substances aren't allowed in the house, and Mom's meals are specially prepared, there aren't any problems. She can't go out to a show, or to anyone's house for dinner, but they probably wouldn't do much of that anyway.

Dad's parents' anniversary is coming up around the Thanksgiving weekend (Canada), and they've asked us to fly to Saskatchewan and visit them. Between the stress of flying and living abroad, even for just a couple of days, Mom just isn't up to the trip. The relatives she'll miss will understand if she decides not to come (most of them, anyway), but Dad's going to be really upset. He just doesn't understand how hard it would be for her.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. C ya.