27 March 2021

Resting

 

Well, well. How are y'all doing? We're okay. Shortly after my last post, my dad came home from the nursing facility. So many of y'all have been so supportive with encouraging words and with prayers, I wanted to provide a quick update. I don't want to dwell on the negative, but we are where we are right now. He went into the hospital on 30 October for a serious but not uncommon surgical procedure that should have only required an overnight stay. He had mowed the yard a few days before. Nineteen weeks later, after a lengthy hospital stay and three more nursing facilities, they have returned him to us unable to care for himself and likely suffering from PTSD. It's a long, complicated story which I will spare you, but the chief cause of this catastrophe has been the COVID protocols in both the hospital and the nursing facilities. Thankfully, all along the way, the Lord has blessed us with people willing to step in and help at critical times. Even now, there are people doing what they can to help rehabilitate him at home. We don't know how far we can bring him back, or if we can bring him back at all, but at least he is at home with my mom, and not alone in a facility. 


When he got home, I sort of shut down. I knew he wasn't right and there was such a long way to go, but the strain of knowing he was so ill and so isolated was relieved and exhaustion set in. I haven't picked up a needle since the beginning of March. I think I was so heavily relying on my stitching to keep me sane for those four months that when I shut down, the urge to stitch went, too. I have just been so tired. I know so many of you know this feeling.

So these last few weeks of inactivity on my blog have just been me resting. Trying to recover and recharge and refocus. If you've been with me for a while, you know I strive to keep this a happy place and I never share overly personal things. But I know that so, so many people have endured this type of situation--and far worse--over the last year, and I wanted to say: I know. I understand. I feel all that same fury, and sadness, and helplessness. And I'm praying for you.

When the pandemic began last spring, I said to Mr. Wonderful, "We must make it through this without anyone having to go into the hospital." Well, we didn't. And it's been a nightmare. But the Lord has sent so many people into our lives to help us carry this burden and we've learned so much from this ordeal. I think the main lesson is: be the helper. Be that person who steps in and lightens the load someone else is carrying. And don't underestimate your ability to help. We are unbelievably blessed that an ICU nurse lives next door to my parents and helps daily with my dad. I could never provide such skilled help. But someone quietly left a crate of fresh oranges on the porch, and it was a sheer delight. That, I can do. Just be the helper. 


Be well, y'all. Back soon.

17 comments:

  1. Do what you can, when you can. I recommend extra Vitamin D and as much sunshine that you can get. When you can, do something nice for your mom. Hang in there.

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  2. Borrowed from a friend:
    https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXavIHtLwSY/YELhfswIsvI/AAAAAAAAKkU/oNR02Um1b9o1gfDWz9JHaRshr5qvebNkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bare%2BMidriff.jpg

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  3. It’s a noble work helping a sick person. Not everyone do that. Medical 🏥 people are always great. Prayers for your dad.

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  4. hugs and prayers for you and your family

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  5. Sending enfolding, caring and supportive hugs to you both.
    Kay

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  6. It was good to see that you had posted; I've been concerned that things were not going well with your Dad. I'm so sorry to hear this has been such an awful ordeal for him and your whole family. This has truly been such a difficult scary time for so many people. I realize so many of the precautions in hospitals and nursing homes are necessary, but it also seems cruel to isolate people, and it's heartbreaking. I'm glad you've had many wonderful people help you throughout this time. That is important to remember everyone can do something to help someone. I'm glad you've been resting and taking care of yourself. I've been praying every day for your Dad and your family and will continue. I'm glad your Dad is home now with your Mom, and I pray that he can regain his strength and his health. Take care.
    Mary

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  7. Sending hugs and prayers , I know how hard it is for you and your family .

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  8. So sorry to hear about your Dad.
    What a great thing that a nurse lives next door to them, a Godsend really.
    Please take care of yourself & just get all the rest you need.
    Marilyn

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  9. Oh Sara. I am so very, very sorry for everything your Dad had gone through. I am praying for you all.

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  10. I am so sorry to hear what you have been through and pray that peace comes to all of you. I always come here to see your beautiful posts and hate to hear what you all have been going through. Damn Covid! I was recently extremely ill but everyone jumped to the conclusion it was Covid and the doctor wouldn't allow me to come to the office. I lost about a weeks time when I should have been properly diagnosed and hospitalized. Long story short I was hospitalized and had to lose a month of work but am now better.
    Anyway, this isn't all about me but I wanted to illustrate the negative impact covid has had on how the medical community is operating. Wishing you and your father all the best.

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  11. Honeybee, it was so good to see your post this morning. You have been on my mind and in my prayers. Continuing to pray for your Dad along with you, Mr. Wonderful, and your Mom. Thinking of you.

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  12. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I understand completely. My mother has had 3 hospital stays and 2 rehab stints in the past year. The last two of both have changed her and she now is experiencing dementia. It is sad to see our parents in such a dependent state. I totally understand how difficult it is once they are home. I currently have to stay at my mom's house each night as we have yet to find an agency that has an aide available for 24/7 care even though that is what she has been approved for. Be the helper, but be sure to take care of yourself. Your stitching will help you once you find your way back to it. I will be thinking of and praying for you and your family.

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  13. Prayers for your dad’s continued recovery and prayers to you. Somehow we manage to get through those hard times and finally crash when the circumstances change. I’ve looked back and thought how did I ever do all that I did and get through it? One day at a time, be well.

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  14. positive thoughts (and lots of hugs) for and to your parents and you and for all those who are willing to step up and be the helpers for your family right now.

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  15. Bless you! I will keep you all in my prayers.

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  16. I'm just reading this post and my heart hurts for you. It's so hard to watch our parents decline and so many of us have had to do that since Covid began. I remember when it started, my husband said to me "One or more of our parents are not going to make it through this." And, sadly, he was right as my mom passed away in July. I do blame the loneliness and isolation of the lockdowns for hastening her decline. Anyway, it's been a hard time for so many and I do hope that things will improve for your father--and please remember to be kind and gentle with yourself, too ♥

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