This week I adopted a new commuting pattern, heading south to my Mom’s hospital room instead of north to my office. I visited her every day like it’s my job—a labor of love for sure!
Even the guard didn’t know what day it was.
Like It’s My Job
I’m lucky that I can do my (paying) job from just about anywhere, and grateful that the hospital has good wi-fi. I’m also grateful that my colleagues and clients have been gracious and understanding. I certainly have not been working at full capacity, but I’ve been managing, delegating, and making sure things get done. Most of the time my Mom has been resting, and I’ve just been there to help adjust pillows, nag her to eat, and adjust her ice packs when they slip out of position.
It took four days for me to notice the cool technology in the visitor badge stickers. There’s a chemical reaction with air that makes the white background develop red stripes after a few hours—I guess so the guards know to stop you and have you check in again each day.
After some stress and battling with her insurance, my Mom was transferred to the acute rehab floor, where she will get PT three times a day. The goal is to get her able to go home ASAP—which means being able to get from bed to bathroom to arm chair with minimal help using a walker. She’ll also need to manage a few steps to get into her house, although once she’s inside her bedroom and bathroom are on the main floor. She’s still in a lot of pain with her fractured knee (her hip pain is minimal in comparison), but we are all hoping that subsides over the coming week as those bones heal.
Weekly Run Down
This week I lived one of Jess Sims’s motto’s to the fullest: “You don’t have to, you get to.” I was so grateful to start my mornings at home, with time for a workout. After watching my Mom work hard to walk a few steps with the walker, I was so grateful to be able to walk, run, lunge, squat, and even do burpees.
Sunday: 30 min FB Strength + 30 min Intervals + Arms Ride
Nothing like Jess Sims and a Jock Jams playlist to lift my mood!
Monday: Core + 20 min UB Strength + 3.5 Tread Miles
I love Camilla’s energy on the tread, and this 2000’s playlist was a lot of fun.
Tuesday: Core + 15 Min Strength + 30 min Peloton Ride
I’ve enjoyed all of CDE’s St. Patrick’s Days rides, and so braved this year’s 30 min class. The music was mellower than others, but fitting for the long climbs.
Wednesday: Core + 5 Scooby Miles
Stress over the insurance battle made it hard to sleep, so I got up early and took Scooby for a 5 mile run.
Thursday: 45 min FB Strength + 15 min Ride
I was craving a long strength session, and knew Jess’s class would not disappoint. I squeezed in a short ride with Hannah F. to turn my “glazed donut look” into full on sweat. 😉
Friday: Core + 4 Scooby Miles
It was 65F when I got up at 5-ish on Friday, so I couldn’t resist a run even though I was planning on a longer run Saturday. My Garmin said 4 miles, but I accidentally tracked it as a treadmill run. Based on the route, it might have been 3.8 miles—but who’s counting. 😉
Saturday: Core + 20 min UB Strength + 30 min Peloton Ride
After my balmy run Friday morning, the weather turned cold and rainy. My plan was to park at my office, do a 5 mile loop to see the Cherry Blossoms, and grab some papers I need for work, but I put all that off to Sunday when the weather should be better. After walking Scooby, I headed to my basement gym for a strength + bike combination.
At this point, I don’t know if I will be able to run Cherry Blossom next weekend. It all depends on my Mom’s situation. Even if I can’t run, I hope to be able to meet up with Kim and Cari and Zenaida sometime over the weekend—anyone else coming into town for it?
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Your mom is so lucky to have you–both to take care of her and deal with the insurance. The insurance companies definitely do not have our best interests in mind. I hope she continues forward progress!
I also hope you get to run Cherry Blossom next week. Fingers crossed.
My Mom knew the words to say about the insurance. We got the initial “denial” letter in the mail and it only referenced her broken hip, so maybe the fractured knee supported the approval on appeal.
I wish I had signed up… maybe next year. As it turns out it would have been ANOTHER race DNS.
Fingers crossed that your mom’s pain subsides and your life gradually returns to normal.
So impressed on how much fitness-related you were still able to fit in with work and your mom’s situation.
As long as I have my mornings at home, my workouts can happen!
Oh, your poor mom. I have a coworker whose mom also fell this week and she’s been out of work taking care of her. Falling is such a hazard for older people! It’s lucky you’re closeby and can take care of her. Also lucky that you can work AND work out as well! Yes, things like this definitely help remind us how lucky we are to be able to run, lift and ride- a lot of people can’t.
Seeing everyone on the rehab unit makes me grateful for my mobility!
That’s impressive that you got so much training done this week, while also staying with your mother. I read your earlier post about her but never realised she also had a fractured knee. That must be painful! I hope the PT goes well and that she can go home soon. What a blessing having a location-independent job!
The knee fracture was discovered three days after her fall and is her main source of pain now that her hip was surgically repaired. That will take time.
Your mom is so lucky to have you! Hoping this week goes much better for both of you. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend
Thanks, Her mood is improving, and I’m sure that will help a lot!
You’re lucky to be so close to your mom and she’s lucky to have you nearby. I hope she has a good week and her knee pain subsides.
Good job on fitting in your workouts during this super busy and stressful time.
Yes, it is good that she’s not too far away.
Oh, I really hope you are able to get to the Cherry Blossom Run. Your mom is so lucky to have your help. COVID was still pretty high when my mom broke her hip and I wasn’t able to visit here that much because they kept going in and out of lockdown.
That’s also great that the wifi in the hospital works well (it sucked in the hospital my mom was in ).
Fingers crossed that the knee pain subsides soon. My mom had terrible pain with hers for quite a while, though, and she didn’t break it. She also doesn’t even remember that now, so there’s that.
Hugs, Coco, you make it seem easy & I know it isn’t!
My Mom would have been miserable all alone in covid times. She doesn’t want to share a room with another patient, but she does like company.
You’ve been doing an awesome job supporting your mom! I hope things settle down more for both of you this week. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to run Cherry Blossom.
As others have said, it’s great that you’re able to be such a valuable help, support and advocate for your mother during this difficult time. I need to cu-up that Alex ride to Greatness ride; maybe for tomorrow? You did an awesome job keeping consistent with all your workouts while shuttling back and forth with work and “mom duty” stuff.
You get to indeed.
So glad you’re relatively close and able to balance work and being there. Hope the stars align next weekend!
Me too!
Being grateful to do burpees! Yes!
Well done on taking care of your mum, Coco. She must be so happy to see you every day.
I hope you get to do the Cherry Blossom next weekend. You deserve to get to do this one!
My Mom is very grateful, but I’m also glad to be able to do it.
You’re doing a great job of taking care of your mom and dealing with the insurance hassles. I’m sure she loves that you’re there on the daily. Way to get in your workouts despite everything else going on!
She does enjoy my visits. My workouts are always a sanity saver.
I know it’s been a very stressful time for you but you are truly handling everything so well. I am glad that your mom is feeling better and it’s great that your job has the flexibility to allow you to visit her every day – I’m sure she really appreciates it.
Definitely a benefit coming out of covid is the ability to work from anywhere! Glad your mom is on the mend.
I’m sure Scooby and the cherry blossoms made your day a little brighter.
You and your mom are very much in my thoughts. I hope the PT works quickly so she can get home.
Continuing to send lots of strength and love to you and your mum. I’m so glad your work allows that flexibility – it makes such a difference.
Very cool hospital badge! Don’t think I’ve ever seen one like it.
I hope you are able to run the Cherry Blossom race. I completely understand the work situation. I was so thankful my boss just told me that family comes first and to do what I needed to do when my Dad was in the hospital. It is a blessing that you are there for your Mom! I wish her a speedy recovery. Dealing with insurance is a tough battle too – glad it worked out.