The past three days have been long and not especially fun. I am heading into a weekend with my parents seriously sleep deprived and emotionally exhausted. I can only hope I'll be able to stay awake throughout the three hour drive tomorrow.
But in spite of these recent challenges, I am thankful that I was able to be with my friend J in the emergency room Tuesday afternoon and evening. J couldn't get in touch with her boyfriend so she called me to come and keep her company. The next day I was at the hospital for over eight hours while J had surgery, and this afternoon I provided conversation and hands-on care for five hours until another one of J's friends was able to come and relieve me.
My experience as J's caregiver and advocate has once again confirmed for me that I am unsuited to be a nurse or work in the medical field. Still, I am thankful that I have been able to support and encourage J when she needed someone to help her through a scary and uncertain time. I fully believe that the Lord enabled me to be patient with J as she struggled with confusion and memory issues as a result of an anti-anxiety sedative she was given before and after surgery. And I also know that God has helped me to do certain tasks that are normally outside of my comfort zone.
J has been there for me many times over the twenty-eight years that we've been friend. I'm glad that I've been able to be there for her this week.
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