Thursday, January 13, 2011

Cabin Fever ~ Hospital Edition

Because we live near the beach and so rarely see snow, my family was delighted when a couple of inches fell Sunday night and Monday morning.  I had spent the night with my dad at the Rehabilitation Hospital and loved watching the snowflakes falling with him.  While we enjoyed the beauty, it led to THREE days of school closings.  Just those three days were enough to make me appreciate my friends who live in colder climates, (I'm looking at you Sarah!) Three days were enough for all of us to experience a little cabin fever which made me think about the way I feel at the hospital.
Farm road
I am so grateful for all of the people who have been helping to care for my father in the hospital, but I do not like to go there.  For a while I had to go because Dad was too weak to even push the call button for the nurse.  Now he is SO much better, but I still go to make sure I know what's going on and help him pass the time.  Plus now that he will be coming home next week we all have to be trained to help him move from his wheelchair to the bed and bathroom.  I will be so glad for him to be home for so many reasons not the least of which is I am so over the hospital. Over.  Done.
I'm tired of his room even though they have done everything they can to make us all comfortable.  I'm tired of all the noise even though I know it distracts Dad.  I'm tired of eating out every day and not being able to cook for my family.  I'm tired of leaving in the morning when everyone is asleep so I can be there when the doctors come by.  (But thank you to Dr. Warshauer for that reassuring and only slightly disturbing pep talk this morning, Dad loved it) I'm tired of trying to make sure we have help when we come home (a huge thank you to Vance for subtly nagging my mother for me)  I'm tired of existing in this loop between Dad's room and the therapy room (shout-outs here for Allen and Patrick who have helped Dad improve EVERY day) I am just tired of the hospital.
Last night Dad started worrying that he was never going to get home.  As much as I know it's irrational, I also understand it.  He's tired of the hospital, too.  We are all ready to go home.
home

7 comments:

Scottie said...

i know the hatred of the hospital environment, but the gratefulness that we have those facilities...this past Sunday i HAD to drive by nhrmc to be reminded of what was going on between all of those walls (this Sunday and two years ago)...and to thank God that i wasn't there...but i DID pray for all of y'all that were there! lymi

Amy @amymchodges said...

I love you more Scottie, have been thinking about y'all. We are fortunate to have the facilities here and the caring staff too! Need to come sit by your fire soon!

Andrea said...

I am SO happy to hear he will be going home soon. I know this has been a long hard road. Praying for you all.

melissa said...

glad that he is going home soon, what a relief you must all feel.
thinking of you!

Julie said...

such good news that he'll return home soon. Great snowy day pictures, too.

Candice @ Fashionably Organized said...

Yay for the good news and your pictures are breat taking.

Unknown said...

Yay! Yes, hospitals can get old really fast. Gorgeous pictures, by the way!