Helping Hands
During this time of waiting and preparation, we were quite grateful to our friends who thought of our needs before we did.
There’s a lot that goes into getting your home ready for surgical recovery and taking care of someone with a suppressed immune system. But our sweet friend Jennifer, who we met a few years back through storm chasing, knew what this time might be like for us. Shortly before we were introduced, she had her own battle with breast cancer. Such a superhero she is!
During our late-July downtime we had invited her to dinner, and she shows up with a car-full! She provided a bedrest pillow, some oversized comfort shirts, and an arsenal of medical and personal supplies. Going to the store wouldn’t be an easy feat for us when we arrived back home, so this was a huge blessing.
Lysol wipes, Wet Ones, hand sanitizer, Hibiclens, Aspirin, Tylenol, tampons, sanitary gloves and alcohol prep pads for cleaning, Colace, and probably other things I don’t even remember right now. As I sorted through this box of gifts, I thought to myself, “I didn’t even realize we would need that!”
But we did. And I quickly made a new spot on my storage shelves and organized each item, so grateful to have these things on-hand. I wanted our home to be ready and waiting for us whenever we returned from the surgery.
The bedrest pillow became invaluable, as I was not able to sleep flat on my back for the first 10 days or so, and could not sit up totally straight either. My abdominal strength was nonexistent and this was the perfect tool to allow me a good bit of comfort while in bed. I slept with it every night for over a month! I still hated not being able roll onto my left side where I like to sleep, but I don’t think anything could have changed that!
I am truly grateful for friends who have been through their own hard times. It is not a joy to know that pain is everywhere, but when people understand your pain from a place of experience, it is the best kind of comfort. You don’t feel like a burden to open your heart to them and discuss your trauma and needs.
Thank you Jennifer, for being that kind of friend. We love you!
