Yesterday Anita and I drove to Indianapolis and visited Bill and Teresea Nelson. Bill is a Hepatitis C patient at Indiana University Medical Center. He was scheduled to have a heart catherization to see if he is strong enough to be placed on a liver transplant list. If he cannot get a liver transplant, he will likely not survive.
Teresea has been pretty well alone down there for several days and wasted no time venting to us all the news. We took her out for lunch, and I thought I was always the last one done eating; today I finished long before Teresea because she couldn’t stop talking. We found Bill weak but in good spirits. We encouraged each other, sang some old songs we used to sing together, and prayed for him.
Because of the chemical imbalance caused by the disease, or perhaps the medications he was taking, his mind seems to be stuck back about 5-15 years ago. He remembered old memories like they were yesterday, but can’t remember yesterday. It was good to see him laugh again.
By the way, he passed the test with flying colors.
In watching Teresea care for her husband, I was very impressed. For nine years she has patiently stood by his side as she watched his health (and their finances) deteriorate. But she has never turned her back on him. Her example inspires me to a greater commitment to Anita.
Who have you watched stand by their spouse through hard times?
Tags: caregiver, memory
Today is the 21st day since surgery. I went to church last night and after standing and singing for twenty minutes I was exhausted. I just don’t have much stamina yet. But, [Name Withheld for Security] did a great job talking on stress, and it was good to be in fellowship again with God’s people. I had intended to stay with my Dad Sunday morning so my sister could take my Mom to church, but Dad decided he wanted her home with him.
My Dad is 84 and has prostate cancer (its hereditary) that has spread to his bones. Its no fun to watch him suffer as he is. When he was my age they had no way to detect prostate cancer early, and my Dad is resistant to any kind of medical treatment, anyway. One stubborn and independent guy!
I intend to go over and visit with them both this afternoon while Anita is away for the choir concert in Kokomo.
I think its a healthy part of life for us to be caregivers for someone else. It helps us get outside of our own problems. Who are you helping to care for and how has it helped you grow?
Tags: caregiver, serve