My dad's broken his hip

[BeachCrow]

Got a phone call at 4.20am. He slipped getting up for a wee and had broken his wrist and hip. He's 88 today.

I'm a 3 hour drive away. Going to head down as soon as I can. Got an autistic DS who hopefully won't scream too much about missing a Pokemon event.

Worried about DM too. No updates from her yet and I'm not sure she can work Dad's mobile.

Oh dear, that's rubbish. And poor DS too - that will be a disappointment to him.

Take time to get yourself properly ready. Reading matter for the boring bits, a bottle of water, emergency food rations, anything you need for your own comfort (tissues, medicines, lipsalve and the like). Take a notpad, charge your phone, and remember to take the phone charger with you. Better to be a bit later but with the provisions to cope with everything, than to rush and find yourself desperate for a drink, or with no phone, or with a headache and no paracetomol.

Thanks for replying. My Dad 's doing Ok although operation tomorrow, which is a big worry as he's got cancer and not in great shape. DS has been brilliant, very proud of him .

sorry to hear that. Operation for hip or wrist?

are you staying at your parents or heading back again later in the week?

Both but the hip is the big one. He's in surgery now. Ideally I could do with heading home today and then coming back later in the week. My brother will be here tomorrow which helps. Just waiting to see how Dad is before I decide.

hope it goes well OP

TBH I would stay as long as you reasonably can given the distance you live away as things can change quickly. You have my sympathy, it's a difficult stressful time.

Thanks both. Operation went well. I've come home so I can get children (especially DS) to school tomorrow. It's hard to know what to do for the best.

glad it went well

is it one of those situations where you need to think that the hospital is looking after your dad, so maybe your thing is helping your mum?
any other friends/neighbours on board to help? Mum's were fab when dad was in hospital - at one point we were freezing all the food people brought round.

good that your brother is there tomorrow.

My mum has her sister nearby and my brother can stay for a while. Will go back at the weekend. So far so good really.