So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“Do you have everything, Ma?” I was checking again with my Mom because after a couple of sweeps through the house, we still would find things. A hair brush, a book, socks…little things that end up in odd places when you make yourself comfortable in someone else’s home. But, now she said “enough, I want my own bed!” i did not blame her at all! She was sleeping on our couch, instead of our guest room. The guest room was downstairs and we just were not confident that she was strong enough to navigate them safely.
Yesterday, she announced, “I feel well and I want to go home.” My Mom had been with us since we all were exposed to covid-19 and she had some symptoms. Since my husband began coughing, we thought it was time to be tested. Sure enough, they both tested positive. I had no symptoms, therefore-no test for me! Someone had to be the caregiver. From the exposure revelation we brought her to our house, figuring it would be easier if we were all together.
Well, I thank the Lord that He protected me! I was the mean nurse who made the patients drink their water. I took their temps, oxygen and blood pressures throughout the day, administering Tylenol as needed. I made food, cleaned up, made them drink…more, adjusted pillows, and then repeated. Slowly, steadily and surely, they began to feel better. My Mom still having a hard time breathing on exertion. Not at all the way she was when we brought her home with us. That day we were thinking maybe we should take her right to the er. In hindsight, maybe we should have!
Yet, all beginnings of disease, have an end and all there numbers continued to be normal after- about 14 days. It was time! We waited 3 more days, just to be certain, then took her home. Before home going, we went out to lunch at Olive Garden! What a treat! Seeing other people, being served, having delicious food! We all enjoyed it immensely.
At her home in a senior high-rise, she saw her friends, and she was her old happy self. Of course we helped her unpack and get re-settled for a rest after all the activity of the morning. One thing that covid has not let go of yet, is fatigue!
We finally leave her alone in her apartment with the admonition that she must call with any problem. Her great-granddaughter would come over after work and stay the night for a security blanket.
In the early evening Mom calls. I thought, she is missing us. I was already experiencing some separation anxiety! She sounds distressed on the phone! Breathing hard she describes pain in her abdomen similar to a gallbladder attack she had 2 years ago! Oh no! What do we do? I try to calm her down and tell her if the pain is that bad, maybe an urgent care, or er is needed. She told me 2 granddaughters were already on the way over to visit, so they could evaluate the situation.
Before long I get the calls from each granddaughter. Both saying the same thing…she had to go to the er! One granddaughter took her. Once inside the er she had to leave and wait in the cold car for about an hour while Mom was evaluated and tested. I was just so concerned that it was her pasta fagioli lunch that sent her into a gallbladder attack. It was not. Soon the results came back-afib, a heart problem! She was quickly admitted and very well taken care of. Once the medication was administered, she was feeling so much better!
I began to wonder, how many other people have serious illness put on hold or masked by covid-19? She had an appointment with the heart Dr. that had to be postponed for 30 days-because of covid! I write all this to help make you aware, don’t allow covid to prevent you from getting treatment, and make your voice heard above the loud voice of that devil, covid! If needed, the er is really the best place, it seems, to get the proper care.
I learned a few things that hopefully will help someone. First and foremost, God is good! As the person in charge of their care, the Lord provided the information I needed, and the products I needed, when I needed it. Our son brought grandma two cases of the water she likes, this made it easier for me to force her to drink. He also brought pedia-lite that they could not drink. I infused the water with it, maybe keeping her from dehydration. When we talked to a RN, he was happy to see that she was drinking it, and pleased with my ‘protocols’. My niece brought over a ‘health meter’ watch I was able to check all her numbers with it. She also brought over more items from Mom’s apartment that we left behind in our quick departure. I had a thermometer for each of them that I sanitized with peroxide after each use. Sanitizing wipes were my best friend with anything they used. When we went for the test, we were automatically placed on a check up call every day. I was appreciative of the professional back-up if I needed anything. They were checking on me as well, making sure I stayed healthy. Nice to know!
Now that she is in the hospital I am thankful for the care she is getting. She has already made great improvements with the medication they have given her. Reflecting with my husband on the last few weeks, he reminded me that even though we did not know what the next step was, God did. And in that ‘still small voice’ He whispered the next step, and always kept us in the palm of His hand. So, in our covid-19 dance, the ‘two steps back’, I believe, just reminded us, we are doing this dance, with God!
Leave a Reply