Mom went into the hospital Oct 30th. I had my Go phone with me, that I'd put $20 on Oct 13th.
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Well, if "they" say your out of minutes, you can't use it! Valuable lesson, I now keep an extra card in my purse.

Several are mad at me for not calling. I had my priorities straight. Stayed with Mom. Called a few that called others those first few days, till I could get another card for the phone.

Now one of Mom's neices was upset, she got 3rd hand info. At least she DID get info. I called ones I knew visited Mom a lot. She's been 2 times, for 15 minutes tops each time, since Mom moved in with me Dec 29th.

One of my niece's friends asked me yesterday was I mad at her.

Ok, I let niece know every detail. I even let her ex know every detail. Both stay in touch with this girl. She pops up only when niece is in town, or her ex. Thats 2 that could have let her know every detail.

I can only call so many. I call the ones first, that would come to the hospital to give me a break, or let me shower! The ones who would stay the night, so I could come home and stay.

I also kept the lady from the church up to date on everything. She'd come to the hospital about every 3rd day. Let me go smoke, while she talked to Mom. She actually "found" Mom and me in the emergency room, when we first got there! I'm like "nobody knows were're here, how did you know?".

I've probably made more mad too. Oh well, they either get over it, or bite me! I did my best, and thats all I can do. If they make me mad, I won't call them at all if we have another emergency!

It is strangge to see how many of those people seem to think that your Mom having to go to the hospital is ABOUT THEM. I think your priorities were on target. They want special privileges, let them earn it A) by.paying for your phone card B) volunteering to be the designated caller.

Set your priorities then go from there.If people don't like it "Tough".

Designate ONE person to call others when stuff like this happens... it's WAAAAY too hard to call up everyone in the family for a hospitalization! Screw those who don't know - they'll get their turn and won't they feel like a**holes then?!

You are right. You have enough going on. How about all those worried relatives that need the call now get you a phone card? Oh wait that would be a nice thing to do. I heard from people I have not heard from in years and the best was mom's one friend who lived across the street but would not come visit her but wanted to know everything. HUGS to you and like you said...let them bite