Caregivers are special people. Nancy shares some of her thoughts on what it means to care for someone during this COVID 19 season.
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad are living at The Friends Home. It is a great place for them to be and we are extremely thankful for the excellent care they are receiving. The facility has been on lock down for the past few weeks and no visitors are allowed. Monday was Mom’s birthday. We stood outside with signs, made a phone call to get mom to the window and then waved like fools to let her know she was loved and cared for. Care giving during this season has certainly taken on new forms.
My hospital stay
A “normal” hospital stay for me means Nancy is spending most, if not all, nights right there in my room. She is there to make sure I am well taken care of. Truth be told I end up speaking words of protection upon the doctors and nurses as Nancy advocates for my care. Her expectations are high, and she tolerates little in the way of not getting me the best.
There is something very comforting about waking up in the middle of the night and looking over to see her nearby.
This past hospital stay it was very clear there were no visitors allowed. I was in for eight days and Nancy and I could only talk on the phone. I missed the comfort of having her nearby.
As I would go on my walks around the ward the nurses would smile and say, “We just talked to your wife, she was checking up on you.” Even from a distance Nancy was making sure I was well taken care of.
A Caregiver’s Struggle
A few days after I was home Nancy shared one of her poems with me. If you follow this blog much you know that every now and then Nancy will write something that helps her process the reality we are experiencing. Her latest piece speaks to what it means to live and move as a caregiver amidst this Covid 19 reality we are all facing.
As you read it say a prayer for all those who are separated from loved ones because of Covid 19. Pray for peace, comfort, and most of all healing. Pray for those caregivers who want nothing more than to be near their loved one, but are unable to because of fear of transmitting the virus. God bless our caregivers.
Caring through Isolation
This journey of serious illness has been tumultuous. Full of ups and downs.
But we have done it together each step of the way.
United, you have allowed me to walk alongside you.
I have been able to uphold, support and share with you.
Isolation adds a new dimension to this path. Apart, it seems somehow harder.
News is not as easy to obtain or understand.
Worry creeps in when I cannot see you or talk to you.
Imagination takes the place of fact and knowledge.
Reasons for separation vary and the length of distance may change.
Sometimes treatment requires the patient to stay apart.
Family responsibilities may prohibit visits to a loved one.
For us, rules and fears of germs were the cause.
My fear was that after all this time, you were navigating seriousness alone.
Anxiety would overcome me each day as I waited to hear.
Pressure was placed on you to obtain, process and pass on
The information that was given then revoked then changed.
Watching a loved one suffer is heart wrenching and sad. Nothing one desires.
But to see it from afar brings tears and despair.
Being together again brought relief and gladness.
And hope that we will not have to be apart again.
©Nancy Nicewonger 2020
