A support network is an essential part of a long recovery. In my case support begins with my wife, who has made countless sacrifices to help me in a million ways. In the first 6 weeks especially, when I was tremendously weak, she had to do every little thing for me. Now I can handle many tasks myself but I am still useless at carrying heavy things, working in the yard, and many other things for which she must pull double-duty. The next part of the network is family. Although my family lives far away they sent cards and care packages and called many times. My parents came to visit in week 3 to give my wife some time to focus on her work. My wife’s parents came to visit in week 5 so my wife could go to a conference without leaving me alone. The next aspect of the network is friends and acquaintances. During our first month home from the hospital our friends brought us 1-2 meals each week, which removed a burden from my wife who at least for those nights did not have to make a meal in addition to getting my medicine, etc. Friends also helped with random needs, visited to cheer me up, and took over responsibilities that I could no longer keep. Another group in the network is doctors, nurses, therapists, and other members of the healthcare field. These persons helped me change bandages at home, pushed me to “fire those quads,” cut me when necessary and bent me when I would rather go home. To all the members of my support network, thank you thank you thank you!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Support Network
A support network is an essential part of a long recovery. In my case support begins with my wife, who has made countless sacrifices to help me in a million ways. In the first 6 weeks especially, when I was tremendously weak, she had to do every little thing for me. Now I can handle many tasks myself but I am still useless at carrying heavy things, working in the yard, and many other things for which she must pull double-duty. The next part of the network is family. Although my family lives far away they sent cards and care packages and called many times. My parents came to visit in week 3 to give my wife some time to focus on her work. My wife’s parents came to visit in week 5 so my wife could go to a conference without leaving me alone. The next aspect of the network is friends and acquaintances. During our first month home from the hospital our friends brought us 1-2 meals each week, which removed a burden from my wife who at least for those nights did not have to make a meal in addition to getting my medicine, etc. Friends also helped with random needs, visited to cheer me up, and took over responsibilities that I could no longer keep. Another group in the network is doctors, nurses, therapists, and other members of the healthcare field. These persons helped me change bandages at home, pushed me to “fire those quads,” cut me when necessary and bent me when I would rather go home. To all the members of my support network, thank you thank you thank you!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment