surgery (okay here's the count .... day of surgery is referred to as day 0 so each day after is day 1 etc...) it is common to feel a little down, and for us it was no different. We were exhausted, him from surgery, I, from my rat race back and forth, kids and dogs, rehab and psychological support.... to be completely honest we were wiped and it was showing.Brad's numbers increased today (lung capacity etc) but we weren't as excited about it. Friends and family who were trying to help out felt in the way regardless of what they did, and that all can be attributed to pure and utter exhaustion.
Brad was getting discouraged, feeling so tired for so long, only wanting to move forward, and knowing that some get to go home as soon as Day 4 seemed to only mount the pressure. I felt that same pressure, and continued to help him with his exercises, however, for the first time ever, I dozed off for a moment on his bed while he was enjoying a sun beam by the window.... (honestly this made me feel horribly guilty, I mean here he is in hospital and I'm the one dozing off sheesh)... and of course because he was discouraged, I felt like I wasn't doing all I could do (which, let's face it, I really wasn't because I was so tired....).
See there is this delicate balance between exercise, mobility, and rest, and it takes time to figure it out.... worst part is, that though there is some sort of recipe for those who have gone through the procedure, there really isn't for us wives and partners and supporters of those who have gone through this.
The emotional strain is enough to draw all available energy, then throw in cheerleading and coaching, a few kids, and well you have the recipe for disaster!
For those that are curious here's what we have discovered: the one who is in the hospital is expected to rest from 1-3, so if you are waiting for surgery, get yourself prepared now, if you have a little one, work to get them on to that schedule, because if you are a lucky, you will be able to snag the couch in the "family room" for a quick cat nap! As well, it honestly doesn't matter how many times your best friends and family tell you to rest, you can't plain and simple, when you are at home, you are researching, updating those who are waiting, answering the phone and tending to family, do what you have to do to get through that, and realize that Day 3 is going to come, set up a sitter for that day, even if just to take a kiddo to the park for quiet time, and pass out on the couch, chair by his bed, whatever, cause that quick cat nap is the difference between making it through the day and bursting into tears over something silly.
Brad was a champ throughout the day. Even though he was bagged, he did his mobility exercises, walked around forever, daydreamed about going home, and even took on a flight of stairs and won!
No comments:
Post a Comment