Thanks to each and everyone of you for your support during this trying time in our lives. However, I just want to talk a little from the other side of the coin. We all know about the patient. We all want to do all we can for the patient, and all of that is good.
What about the family? I want to talk here for a moment because many don't really know the fullness of what affects an illness long term or short term can have on a family. From the moment I made the decision to call 911 my life turned completely around. Whatever I may have had on the agenda that day went to naught. Whatever I had planned did not matter from that moment on. We had one focus, get him to a place where he can get help to get better. You forget about how clean your house is. You quickly get dressed if you need to as quickly as possible and you grab a few important items; medications, insurance cards, will/proxy,identification etc. You drive as fast as you can safely and you rush into ER. You are excited and full of questions and then you start your journey. Now, this is truly the beginning because you do not know how if any, many days you will need to take off from work. You place bills on the back burner until the last minute. You are answering questions about your loved ones that you are not even sure that you knew. You are signing papers and calling for prayer partners. You are making phone calls to family and friends near and far. You are so high you are not sleeping, just taking a cat nap in the waiting room. You are eating snacks and drinking too much coffee. You are encouraging others as they wait with you in the waiting room. All are looking to hear a good report. Then you get the not so good news but you refuse to quit and you ask the team to fight with you. You can't rest if you tried. You must make life or death decisions on the spur of the moment. You have peace of mind though because you know their wishes.
Discharge Day on the Road to Recovery You've set up your home now to accommodate your loved one. However, your elderly family members who does not adjust well to change is now confused. "Where is the bathroom"? smile. Now you realize you must maintain a hospital schedule for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, and administer medications on time. Now, you have home Nurses and Physical Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, occupational Therapist, walkers, wheelchairs and etc. Well, Care Givers you can make it. 1. Pace Yourself 2. Just say I'm tired and I need a moment 3. Eat when the patient eats so you don't forget about yourself. 4. Sleep in spurts if you can't get 7 or 8 hours Thanks for reading and responding to my posts.
PS. All TEACHERS, HAVE 10 FREE CD' S = helping others while you help your self. It's YOUR TIME NOW! Send your contact info. or call me 866-751-9446
Esther it is so very stressful to have a loved one get sick, but I think you have put things in perspective with your 4 steps (smile). Take care sister and keep us posted. Remember to take it one day at a time. Much love to you and your family.
Saturday, October 4th 2008 at 10:50PM
Jen Fad
EP, I remember the flipside the week my daughter passed. I wanted to thank you for bringing attention to the things of real importance. The house is never as important as those who are in it. The bills can be postponed, for a short while. And you can't do much good if you get sick, too, not taking care of your needs along the way. I pray for you and those around you. Take it one step at a time, and allow others to carry some of the burden with you. This has not come to stay, it has come to pass. Be blessed.
Sunday, October 5th 2008 at 11:17AM
Lesley Knight
