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| Supplies for "Chester" |
As I think all may appreciate by now, Christine is doing
yeoman’s work tending to me when I’m not at the clinic with the professional
nurses. I never knew she had it in her
(I don’t think she did herself, actually) but I’m grateful for how she’s
stepped up to the plate. She’s
definitely not contemplating a career change but she’s nailing everything she’s
been called on to do here. How did this
happen? Well, early on in our stay,
they trained Christine to play the para-nurse role by having her work on a
rubber “shell” of a human dummy named “Chester” – we assume for the chest that
so many trainees learn the ropes on, changing bandages, flushing the IV line,
administering meds, etc. They pulled
out Chester again recently to give Christine a refresher.
I got to thinking about how day after day of treatment and
tests is making me feel like old Chester.
The repeated pokes and prods of so many hands, day after day, week after
week, begins to make one feel like an object, plain and simple. So, I’ve been feeling like Chester lately and
could use a day off – actually a lot longer than that! On the other hand, the hands and feet
administering everything to me are wonderful, caring people and I feel good
about that, of course, and oh so thankful.
But I do long to be up, “off the mat” and back to my active, alive and
fully human self. Please pray for my
patience in enduring these long, hemmed in, Chester-like days…can’t wait to bid
them good riddance!
Hang in there! We are rooting for you both!
ReplyDeleteThat makes so much sense to me. Strange that even constant care can form its own ritual and lose some of its glamor. saw a great cartoon today:
ReplyDeleteGuy on the phone: I'd love to, but I have a million lonely ritualistic things I need to do.
I've had the same epiphany with Kath these past days--her inner nurse came out after my surgery, but if I make one more joke about her changing profession, i may need more surgery.
Thanks for keeping us so informed on your progress both physically and emotionally. You have a wonderful way of describing the whole process. Kudos to Christine for mastering new nursing skills.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are both strong. What an inspiration. No doubt in my mind you WILL prevail!! Love, Mike Bayer
ReplyDeleteStrong and funny too! So descriptive AJ... such a vulnerable position to be in. But that you can still be yourself and portray the humanity of it with some humor on top is just so connective and real and shows your beautiful soul. Lol at Christine not exactly wanting a career change! She is unbelievable at how she has stepped up to the nurse role way better than I think I would and she would have thought about herself. Love to your nurse and to Chester and prayers for endurance with all the poking and for it to stop soon! xo Emily
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Emily--- thanks for articulating that so well. We're praying for you guys--- the whole system there and at home, too. Just keep going.
ReplyDelete(Easy to say, i know, but remember, it came to pass; it didn't come to stay. And we thank God for that.)
Love, Anne and George