Medals and Heroes

Believe it or not, I have managed to catch a little of the Olympics and just like everyone else, I have been cheering for Michael Phelps to win his 8 gold medals. Congratulations to him!! Michael and the other team members who have won the medals make it look so easy. But I know that there were great sacrifices by each team member and his/her family members, not to mention the hours and hours of training. It is easy to focus in on those who have the media attention and who accomplish great goals. But what about all those other athlete who have made the Olympic teams for their country only to be eliminated in all the competitions before the medal events? Their sacrifices and hours of training are just important.

I share all of that as an introduction to recognizing the heroes and medal winners in my life these last several weeks. All of the following deserve the gold medal for their actions, sacrifices and time spent in helping my mom on the road to recovery.

First my sister Diana. She took the week off from work while my mother was in the hospital. She spent every day there. As a nurse at that hospital (and the fact that her husband is a nurse on the floor my mom was on) she had insight into the care, medical needs and personnel involved in my mom's recovery. She made sure she was getting the care she needed both physically and medically. Her pastor was also very kind in being there the day of surgery, during the 10 days my mom was there and following up with a home visit. Diana also made sure that every thing was in place for her discharge home and home health services.

Next as my sister Susan who also took time off from work and drove over 4 hours after work to be available to pick up my mom on the day of discharge. Unfortunately she didn't get discharged until a day later, but Susan spent that day with her. She also helped me move furniture and get my mom's place ready for her to arrive home. Her daughter Heather also came with her. Heather played with Natalie and was a huge help. Susan picked my mom up from the hospital, dropped off her new prescriptions and laid the foundation for the schedule for her medications, blood pressure, weight and temperature checks and overall schedule for my mom to begin her recovery. She also was there for the beginning of the home health services. Spent 5 days away from her husband and home.

My brother Ron arrived from Alaska the day before Susan went home. He spent 11 days away from his wife and 2 daughters to be with my mom. He was the task master as he diligently had her follow the schedule, take her daily walks, perform her exercises, keep her feet elevated. He did laundry, cooked meals, did dishes, cleaned the cat box, made her bed and changed her sheets. He also fixed my toilet, my mom's blinds, Natalie's pool and made Natalie a peg board to practice some fine motor exercises. He also read my mom's manual from the hospital and followed all of their recommendations as well as took her to an appointment at the hospital. He was faithful to weigh her every day, make sure she took her medications and record her temperature as well as interact with the home health personnel. He also spent time playing with Natalie who just loved her Uncle Ronk.

My sister Kathy arrived several days before my brother arrived. She gets only 2 weeks of vacation a year and used one week to come and care for my mother. She took my mom to her doctor's appointment, for blood work and a chest x-ray. After the initial doctor's appointment my mom had to return to the hospital on Friday (the 15th) for a procedure to have excess fluid removed. Kathy took her there and stayed with her throughout the procedure. She also cooked and cared for my mom. Probably one of the highlights for my mom was the day Kathy did an in depth housecleaning as well as all the laundry. Kathy also spent time away from her husband and daughter. She left for home yesterday.

The next gold winner is Natalie. She endured 9 straight days at the hospital visiting my mom. That often meant very long days for her and little time to play once we got home from the hospital. Up at 6:00 AM to return home by 7-7:30 to eat and head to bed. A lot of my time when I was home from work was spent also assisting my siblings with my mom. So Natalie lost some mommy time. Every night she would pray for Bashka to get better. She also developed a sinus infection and cough during this time, but was such a trooper. Last night we went for a walk with Bashka. My mom walked the furthest she has since returning home. Her legs have been so swollen and her breathing labored due to fluid in the lung (which was removed on Friday) She has had difficult putting on shoes to walk and last night we were able to fasten one shoe completely and the other shoe on the first hole. Once we returned from the walk, my mom sat down. Natalie (without a word from me) immediately walked over to my mom, took off my mom's shoes and placed my mom's slippers on her feet. Today after church Natalie was given some candy. She had 3 packs of Smarties. She gave me one and said one was for Bashka. She really is such a loving and giving child and at times I am humbled by her heart and desire to look out for others first.

Lastly my mom gets a gold medal for pressing on through all the 3 steps forward and 2 steps back journey of her recovery. She is making progress. Today while Natalie and I went to church, she followed her schedule (first day on her own) and got her walk in before we got home. Even though she is not one to show a lot of emotion or to express her feelings, I know she is grateful for all her children, their sacrifices and their labor of love in caring for her during this time.

For all of you who have prayed, called or sent cards or emails, thank you so much for caring and being there during this time. Mostly I want to express my gratitude to the Lord for being with my mom and the doctors during the surgery and for giving the doctors wisdom during her recovery time. I know He will continue to sustain my mom and help her in the healing process.

To my brother and sisters I want to publicly thank you and acknowledge your sacrifices and labor of love in caring for mom. You are all gold medal winners in my eyes!!