I live in such a small speck of the world and yet news travels quickly from within these walls. A good example is I was telling you I am a wreck. I guess Len said it best this morning, I am sort of a control freak.
I don’t mean that I have to control your life. I have to control what is going on in my own home and this means Al‘s disease too. When I can’t help him, when I feel helpless it freaks me out.
The phone rang earlier and it was the Hospice Social worker asking if he could come pay a visit to Al. Of course I said yes. I told him Al was asleep and not to feel bad for waking him up. Al sleeps most of the day a way so he will go back to sleep, which he did after Chuck left.
It turns out that he was observing Al and I didn’t realize it but he was observing my actions and expressions. Word had been sent through out Hospice and the nurses and doctor knew Al was beat and I was exhausted.
Chuck visited with Al while I changed Al’s sheets. Chuck asked Al the normal question, ” how are you doing?” That’s all it took, those few words and Al was out of control. The tremors were bouncing off the walls. His tears were flooding and his words were I want to die but God won’t let me.
He got so emotional I just sat down on Al’s newly made bed and let out a big sigh. Chuck observed Al for a while and listened as well as he could. You can barely understand Al anymore between his tears, tremors and soft voice.
When the visit was over Chuck told Al, ” You are a lucky man. You get to live here at home with your sister. Do you know where you would be if she wasn’t taking care of you?”
Al shook his head yes.
” So we are going to give your sister a break. Tomorrow after you get home from Day Program, I will send the ambulance down here to pick you up so you can have your very own vacation and get spoiled rotten by the nurses and the food. You are going to the Hospice House.”
Al asked, ” do I get to come back home?”
” Yes, you get to come back home.”
” Alright I will go.”
So someone heard, someone responded, friends from Facebook prayed, WP friends prayed. I get a break. I get to sleep some of this stress off. I will be rested when he comes home and be able to be a good caregiver and sister to Al through the next chapter of this illness.
I don’t know exactly what time he will be picked up, but from what it sounds it will be around 6:30 tomorrow evening. He will stay for five days and then return home. Thank-you for being my angels, my dear friends. This is tough, it is the worst I have lived through for so long, but I am still standing.
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So pleased you are going to get a break x
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I think it will help me be a better care giver. thanks Kath
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I’m relieved. I know you are strong, but was sure you must be exhausted. Time to give yourself some tender loving care My Friend.
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I plan on it. Sleep and no real house cleaning, just sleep
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Praise God – for giving you the strength to endure this difficult time, and for giving you a break 🙂 Hugs.
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Is he not the most awesome God!!!! He knew I was so tired
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Your friends have surrounded you; you are getting a break; and isn’t Hospice amazing … ?!
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yes, Hospice looks out after me too I found out!
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I am happy for you! And amazed as always how the Lord works in all kind of ways!
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Yes, I am astounded how it worked out so quickly, like someone heard
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Isn’t this wonderful!! You need the break. “Time for you” is not just a cliche…. it is very necessary. So glad that they know this, too. 🙂
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I feel like I am at my breaking point. I really do need this time
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I’m so relieved to hear that you are getting a break! Please rest. Don’t worry about cleaning or anything just rest!
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I am going to clean very little, I promise, and get lots of sleep
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Good!!
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I am so glad that you can get a break so you can recharge your batteries. It is nice that they thought of him and thought of you. You have a great circle of carers there Terry. It’s fantastic.
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I was really surprised that they were were thinking of me but glad. I am just so tired
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Yes, just make sure you rest
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I will, hugs
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Good. You need a respite.
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I really do and I am not afraid to admit it. I was getting short fused, and I didn’t like that in me
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Yea!!! Finally you will get a bit of reprieve and I bet within the first 24-36 hours you will be wondering what to do with yourself and of course checking on Al throughout that time. Just remember first and foremost REST, REST, REST! Then pamper yourself with a mani-pedi/ haircut or shop in your favorite antique/junk shop. Keep your cell handy and turned on though. You are surrounded with those that love you and care about you from around the world and we are all here for you!!! Love and prayers.
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I am so amazed at the friends, that I have made. i am so blessed, not lucky, blessed. I just get so tired, I feel not myself. I was so sick all day long, and really need this break, so does Al. They can observe to see why he blacked out
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My Dear Terry, Angels don’t fall…I have shared this type of pain, my arms are around you. Remember even the Angels sleep. Ann
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oh thank you. I felt after today I was going to fall. I was so sick. I think from nerves. I really need that break
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Rest, we will all continue to pray for you and Al. Ann
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thank you Ann
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Don’t give yourself a “to-do” list for those 5 days. Take it as rest and recuperate time and you will be refreshed when Al gets home. Bless you.
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this is my goal. to be refreshed and ready to tackle the next challenge. I was so sick today, mainly nerves but it tires me and upsets my stomach so bad. I felt weak today, I just wanted to rest all day but could not
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Terry, I am so happy you will get a little break. You’re the best sister a guy could ever have, but I can tell you need a little break. Al will be in good hands. You should sleep late and stay in your pajamas all day. Still praying for you, my friend.
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that is my plan exactly. sleep and pj’s!!!! Thanks Kathy
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Good you get a break, make the most of it and sleep and relax!
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I need lots of sleep, I plan on going to bed after Al leaves tonight and sleeping the night a way!!! hugs and thank you
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Fantastic – you really need this break!
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For some reason I really need this break. I have felt like a rubber band getting ready to snap. Lots of sleep
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my heart is full of joy for you and al! respite is a god send for families. as i said before it is a bit like a soldier in battle. you have to have the r and r the same as we did. rest and restore during your time of respite. yes someone heard you and isn’t that a blessing? sending warm hugs and love my friend.
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amazing how God answered just when I wanted to lay down and sleep. thanks my friend. I hope you are doing well today
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wonderful news…good people connected to you it seems!
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yes definitely, great friendships here at WP, including you!
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ah, Thank you!
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God sent Chuck to you and Al — he sounds like a very astute person to have recognized the need for Al to take a little vacation and for you to have one, too. I know you miss Al, but not only do you need a physical break, but you need an emotional one, too. And, from what you’ve said in the past, Al seems to enjoy being pampered by the nurses, lol! I’m so glad for you and Al!
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yes we both need the break in different ways. Al does love the special attention he gets there. The have a way of making him feel he is the only one there
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