Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 Number 149 and Sunday Stills #photography #poetry

Val’s prompt guidelinesTHEME: Your personal creed or your spirituality;FORM:Stanzas: No less than three stanzas; no more than six stanzas;Refrain: Must include a refrain;A refrain in poetry is a phrase or line repeated at intervals within a poem, often at the end of a stanzaYou can read other contributions here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/03/05/w3-prompt-149-weave-written-weekly/Dealing with the problem

Dad’s been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension

Aftermath of the pulmonary embolism that nearly killed him in 2020

His huge goitre cannot be removed, he won’t survive the surgery

It’s grown into his chest and around his heart, such bad luck

This, together with his large bulk, have caused obstructive sleep apnea

A test is required to confirm this diagnosis – dad is resistant

I have to find the strength to deal with dad’s attitude and the problem

***

Mom’s in a shocking state, thin as a reed, coughing up multicoloured phlegm

Barely able to speak at all – she lies on the coach, clinging to life

An admittance into hospital is necessary – three antibiotics have already failed

A huge row ensues with Dad, who believes he can care for her at home

I take her anyway – she has bronchopneumonia and a cracked rib

May not have survived the night if I’d been intimidated by Dad’s shouting

I have to find the strength to deal with dad’s attitude and the problem

***

Dad apologises, he had no idea Mom was that sick – he looks guilty and sheepish

Meantime, the results of his test have come in – he stops breathing, on average, 29 times an hour

His oxygen levels drop to 76 percent while sleeping, the cortisol reaction will kill him if untreated

He flatly refuses to have the mask – he’s doing fine on the asthma medication

He’s choosing death, the doctor was very clear his body will not withstand the stress

I remind him that he will die and leave him to stew in his own juices

Mom’s discharged, she still requires a lot of attention and care

“I’ll have the mask,” he decides

I have to find the strength to deal with dad’s attitude and the problem

This was how last week went. And my transaction priced and closed on Wednesday which necessitated working through last weekend and late into Monday and Wednesday nights. Tuesday night was spent admitting Mom into hospital. It is all done now. Everyone has made the right decision and is recovering but, my, what an effort. The geriatric toddlers are much harder to deal with than lawyers.

Sunday Stills – flowers

On a happier note, here are some flowers for Terry’s Sunday Stills prompt. You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/03/09/sunday-stills-looking-forward-to-my-favorite-spring-flowers/

Picture caption: Passion fruit flower – can you see the two bees in the centrePicture caption: A new day lily we planted this yearPicture caption: African lily after rainPicture caption: Wild proteaPicture caption: I’m not sure what this flower is. It appeared for the first time in my garden this year.Picture caption: Summer rose