GREAT news about Mum's surgery. Sending healing thoughts.

I just got home after a nearly four hour drive. My mother looks quite awful with her black eyes, but is in good spirits. My brothers will be visiting the next couple days. Thanks everyone for your good wishes.

Good to hear the surgery went well and your mum is in good spirits and her retirement community is set up to handle the situation. Hope you can relax a little bit now. I imagine it's been nonstop for you.

Yes, I'm exhausted. The evening after her surgery I felt like a weight had been lifted off me. It had gone well, she came out of the anesthesia well, and was very talkative. I knew she was going to be okay. In spite of her age, mentally she's probably twenty years younger. I know that physically, she's going to have to work hard at her rehab. But I also know she wouldn't stand to be slowed down by a wheelchair, or even a walker.

Good news about your mum, JAileen.
It is stressful and emotional when an elderly person falls. I am sending you and your mum healing vibes too.
My MIL (87) fell and broke her hip 2 years ago and has made a full recovery.

Smittie, that's good to hear about your MIL! My 90 YO MIL fell and broke her hip (or maybe broke her hip and fell) this spring and did not recover well. She had been living in her own house, walking and driving, and now she's in a wheelchair in a nursing home. My mother lives in a retirement home fairly independently, although she doesn't do her own cooking. I hope she gets back to her old self ASAP.