In the Blink of an Eye

 

        For most of us our lives are not humdrum or boring.  The ones of us who are retired wonder how we ever found time to work.  Of course we didn't do all the "fun" things we are involved in now.  Some of us find ourselves going to the doctor or doctors more than we would like to do.  For months and perhaps years you keep those appointments and you are doing pretty well.  I had my primary care doctor to say to me recently, "if you were as good as you look on paper you would be a picture of health,"  So when a test shows something wrong and scans and MRIS are ordered we know we are probably in big trouble.

 

      In just a blink of an eye you are in deep trouble and wondering why things happen so fast.  I don't have an answer for that but I have the knowledge of how it affects the patient and the whole family.

 

Here is my story:

 

My husband's cancer had been kept under control for about eleven years with the uses of hormones.  Last fall he began to have problems and after each visit to the emergency room he felt better for a few days.  These visits became routine until his doctor decided to do more extensive tests.  The results were not good.  The cancer had metastasized into several vital organs and his bones. He was accepted into a study at Duke University Medical Center.  That was a good thing but it meant travelling four hours each way every two to three weeks.  In the meantime he developed severe back pain for which he took radiation treatments.  They were very painful and he was unfortunate to contract the shingles. I won't go into all the details but because he couldn't get down enough liquids and nourishment his electrolytes were in a shambles and he was dehydrated.  After five days in the hospital he was released to continue his treatments.  We, my husband and I, talked about Hospice Care.  He was back in the hospital the day after returning home.  We mentioned Hospice to a nurse and before we could blink he was signed up.  The following day the equipment was being brought into the house. In three days a bed was set up in my office and he was receiving wonderful care to ease his pain and make him comfortable.

    

 

In the blink of an eye our roles had changed.  My husband who had been my caregiver was now my patient  to care for.  I loved the role but my physical disabilities were still with me.  We decided to hire help for me and for my husband.  My daughter was there and she needed  more assistance.

In the blink of an eye our home had become more like a wing of a hospital.  There were walkers, wheelchair, A hospital bed, oxygen equipment and various other signs of illness.  The telephone and doorbell rang often.  In the blink of an eye our home had changed.  We had schedules to keep,  meals to serve the sick in bed, extra laundry to do, and dispositions to keep mellow.

 

In the blink of an eye our whole lifestyle had changed.  But we are thankful that Hospice  is here and that we have friends and family to give us support. We especially appreciate the many prayers offered for strength and peace.  We pray that when your 'blink' comes you will have the same support.