Hi @cloudcore 

This is my first post.

1) How are you feeling?

About a 4 atm. Struggling with what's going on with Mum 86yo, only 8 months after Dad (87yo) passed. Mum hasn't been easy at all, and is showing signs of dementia. I found out this afternoon she likely needs open heart surgery or equivalent, but other options apparently not ideal.. rather urgently. And I've just come home after being with her for 5 weeks, setting up a lot of care for her and getting repairs done to her house, and decluttering. I live in a different state to her. I have my own family who need me. Mum wouldn't thank me for anything I did.

2) I'm struggling with the dynamics and navigating around my remaining 2 siblings. Neither are engaging with me. One is totally avoiding anything more than a weekly Skype with Mum since he's overseas, and my sister only turns up to Mums when she can to take her out and score a free lunch paid for by Mum's pension. Anything my sister does is glammed up and shouted from the roof top, and I'm the opposite as I'm regularly dismissed, particularly by my sister. I'm the head down, bum up type, but I still have feelings.

Good thing I've done? The surgeon's clinic has given me Mum's referral letter, and I've secured Mum an appointment for next Thursday. I've even lined up her long term carer who is a nurse, to take her, even though it's not her usual day, and she said YES! because it's school holidays and she has more availability. So happy about that.

3) What is one nice thing you can do for yourself today?

I'm going to pour a glass of wine and sit down to some TV, chick flick rubbish. Just what the Dr ordered. And maybe have a bath while the boys watch footy later.

Thanks for listening.