We are just now pulling out of a three week trip into the Valley of the Shadow, from an injury that resulted in a deeply infected shoulder. After two surgeries and two weeks in the hospital, followed by a week of rehab, my husband is home and very happy to be here. I am happy too, although I was initially terrorized at the prospect of infusing him with his antibiotic over the next three weeks, alone, in our dining room. Yes, I myself and no other. Yikes. My nursing degree is nonexistent, nor do I have ANY aspirations in that direction. But I had no choice.
So there we were last night, facing my first solo act of infusion, after one intense lesson with the kind and patient visiting nurse. My hands trembled and shook as I joined the med bag to the line going into his body. I watched closely for tremors, eyes rolling back in his head, incoherent babbling from either of us. What if I’d inadvertently introduced bacteria into his bloodstream? Who on earth thought I was capable of this? But we got through it. He lived, and so did I. I am thinking that the wedding vows should be changed to “To love and cherish till infusion do us part”. Or something like that.
Three weeks in the hospital. It could happen to you. Advice?
Take notice of the wonderful kindnesses that will be shown to you. Thank people profusely. The system is in jeopardy and dedicated people work day and night to help the hurting. Second mile, third mile, fourth mile. They are way too busy. It means so much to them to be thanked.
Watch everything for your loved one. Because of shorthanded staff, things get overlooked. Take notes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Write everything down, in pencil. Things change as you go through the process. You will not remember it all because you are under stress.
Find sources of joy. Gently offer to help the roommate in odd moments. Two of ours had no visitors and very little hope in their eyes. Engage new fathers on the elevator. They love to tell you about their new babies. Treat yourself to pastries in the cafeteria. Call a close friend and complain bitterly, as needed. We are only human.
But the most important strategy to remember, next to accepting the prayers of friends, is the devouring of cheesecake. Eat as much as you want. I went through a couple of them all by myself. Cheesecake kept me sane when I flopped onto the couch at the end of a long day in the hospital, fatigued beyond measure. It works wonders.
We are on the mend! Thankful.