Re: Handling family sickness
[quote=Mamaof3]
Well I just returned home for a few days or maybe a week, my dad is 12 hours away by car and so very sick now. I was there for 15 days, helping care for him, helping my mom figure out how to do bills, running errands while my mom and my sister did most of the care of Dad.....
My brother lives just 10 minutes away and we dont see him much. I think he is devastated by my dad being sick - I mean we ALL thought my Dad of all people was immortal - the 6-foot-3 navy pilot-guy. I'm the biggest booby-ass of all when it comes to medical things, faint at needles and sight of blood etc. But hell. theres a time to put that aside yeah? I sit and talk to my dad, pet his head and even if he cannot respond, I know he can hear me. I'm sure words of love and comfort help him much at this time. My brother though, he;s really a puzzle. He will jump to do anything we ask. But will never volunteer to do anything. Worst of all, he wont go near Dad. He turns grey when he looks at his father. While my heart breaks for my brother in his (apparent?) lack of strength, it breaks even more for my Dad who I think knows whats going on even if he cannot express it. I tried to encourage my brother to talk to Dad, saying he can hear you and showing him how I talk to him and how he visibly relaxes when you pet his head and chat with him but it didnt work. Well, maybe it did a bit cause last night he quickly went up to Dad and said good night.
I think its the saddest thing to not be able to face brutal realities and be able to offer comfort to your loved ones, putting aside the awful grief for now.
May we all be granted the strength to go thru this for ones we love.
/quote]
ameen,