A Rather Different World

LAST DAYS DAD BE WITH MOM

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I missed dad and mom, particularly in December.

 

Dad passed away late at night on December 9 at age 93. Three days later, December 12 was my mom's birthday. In the last 528 days of his journey, dad lived on the same floor, but not the same ward, of the care home mom has lived in for two years. It was because he aged with even more dominance. Care depreciated to annoyance and even oppression. Since none could take that anymore, he was forbidden to be close to mom.

 

My wife and I raised the above concern when mom first moved in. They should not be put into the same ward. However Canadians are always too kind to stop couples from reunion.

 

Mom was put on an urgent list for care home not just because of the acute and serious infection on her hand, that might require amputation. It was also due to dad's strong resistance arising from his anxiety for mom's leave. He always lied to the community nursing team that mom was very independent and capable. His performances were recorded as additional evidence for urgent admission.

 

HEPATITIS B INHERITED

 

I was notified of being a hepatitis B carrier after a blood donation in G.10. In a much later date I knew that five of the six brothers were carriers with three being infected finally. The virus was very likely to be from my mother's side. Mom was the first girl with three elder brothers, one younger, and two younger sisters. From a young age she served as grandma's assistant caring for a big family. With marriage, she brought up six sons among seven carriages. She worked really hard her whole life. Gracefully hepatitis B didn't infect her since she was strong and healthy.

 

I guessed that inhabitants along the southern coast of China are more susceptible to hepatitis infection for their eating habits and choices of food. Grandpa was a herb practitioner who always received fresh seafood from thankful patients. Dad was not a carrier from a poor family in which my paternal grandpa passed away at late thirties. Yet he got TB for working in a poor environment. After the reunion in Hong Kong, mom helped rehabilitate dad by her daily big treat of a super nutritious and sweet milk with brand name, blended with two eggs. They built a big family.

 

I told dad, 83 years old, of my liver transplant arrangement. Mom could not comprehend anything because she was affected by Alzhiemer. After a short deep thought, he raised his head and asked, “Can my liver be (okay for you)?” I had no words and shook…