Dec. 4, 2022
MORE HELP IN MOVING FORWARD (12.03.22)
Saturday, December 3, 2022 7:34 PM
Hello! Welcome to our Saturday!
I stopped in at Geraldine's on the way in, after getting her message that her sister's hubby Seamus suffered a massive heart attack. Larry & I stayed with Seamus & Eileen when we were in Ireland in 2017, & correspond with them frequently. He is stable, at this very rough time. They are very active prayer warriors & have held us both in prayer, especially in the last 2 years.
Larry was snoring at 3:00 when I arrived. He'd been sleeping since 1:00. With no therapies happening today, the whole day is free. He had watched a soccer match in the rec room earlier. Larry's nurse today was quite the comedian. Very attentive, but very funny. He helped Larry to his wheelchair, with less hands on, he was more or less coaching & guiding him. We went for a walk to a small meeting room outside of the unit for some privacy. I read Larry some messages & showed him the beautiful book of prayers that was put together in August. Our Cursillo Movement community were invited to forward their prayers & greetings, & our friend's son arranged them beautifully into a book. Larry saw it at the time it was given to us, but he has no recollection of it. Some of the messages expressed great concern. Then, Larry asked about when certain things happened, such as, "Why & how did I get from RCH to Surrey?" I read him a couple of blog entries from those transition times. We both had tears! He said he had no idea & that he would not have made it if I hadn't been there to get help for him when in such distressing situations. I told him that the fighting that he did, to just see another day, was so remarkable & that he championed through impossibly horrible attacks to his whole being.
I asked how he thought his rehab was going. He first said that he imagined it would be all day long 7 days a week, then admitted that at GF Strong, the rehab team did not work weekends either. I asked what he thought his effort was when he's in a session, following therapist's instruction. He said that he gives it all that he can. I told him that what I see, is that he pushes himself even beyond his limit. That's the champion that I'v always known. When I asked what he thought about how he uses his free time, he said it wasn't good. I told him that, considering all that he went through without complaint when he was really sick, that it's hard for me to witness him saying "I can't..." before he tries simple things, then does it. I'm sure that the grunts & groans that are constant, are expressions of things much deeper, that he may not even be aware of. I told him about the social worker telling me that if there was anything they could do for Larry and/or me to let her know. I asked if he would like to speak with a psychologist & he said "Yes!" I'll arrange for each of us to get counselling, or at least be heard. What I am describing is not unique, there are many books on the topic.
A new rash to much of his body had just started, so the nurse was taking care of it with the prescribed cream & making a note for the doctor to be aware of it. Still, there Is no conclusive explanation for it to keep surfacing.
I will likely go in tomorrow when Larry's had time for an after-lunch nap. When I left him today, he seemed more present & content. God bless you. Have a good Sunday! Please add our dear friends Seamus & Eileen to your prayers. Thank you! Xoxo
(A friend just shared an amazing video of "SUV flies over Priest's Car" YouTube 'Inside Edition'. Have a look!)