I have my mum but she is in the uk (I emigrated to Oz 37 years ago when i married my first husband), she is 89 and had a stroke in June but thankfully retained her thinking and speakiing powers, but i can't tell her too much as she gets upset, she is seriously sensitive to all meds (as i am) so she does understand. god knows when i'll ever be well enough to visit her again. It must be really hard with young children, i take my hat off to you big time, my children are adults, daughter emigrated to US (NYC) and just had a first baby in June, god knows when i'll get there, son is 6.5 hrs drive away, about to get engaged at xmas, hence having to spend xmas wth hid future in laws, i don't tell them much and try and "fake it" with them, no point telling them, they can't help and they have their own lives.
As for holiday parties etc, only have one to go to tonight, (apart from xmas day stuff) it's local but we don't know anybody as we're new to the area, but i feel i have to go, dreading it as hubby terrible with new people and i'm in no state to help him out, have set a time limt for myself of 3 hours max and strict enforcement of foods i can eat, no alcohol seems to raise people's eyebrows but i tell them i'm on medication and i can't drink, i often feel like saying to people "What, you drink alcohol?" in the same tone they use with me for not drinking it.
I think my hubby has switched off more than usual as he can't cope with it anymore, burnt out with it, compassion fatigue i guess, and he had a mini stroke the week before we moved (fully recovered), me being so disconnected doesn't help either, this journey really does affect us on so many different levels, god knows what i'll be like next xmas, daren't even think that far.