We help each other.
As a chaplain I have access to what is called a census sheet for the floors of the hospital. It has the patient's name and what they are in the hospital for (still learning all of the abbreviations) and the notes from nurses for meds and sometimes a little bit of history, etc. I saw fibromyalgia in the notes for one of the patients and made a point to stop by for a chat.
She was soooo happy to see me and talk to me when I told her I've had CFS for 12 years. She had tears in her eyes as we talked and then she had to have a procedure and asked if I would come back - I told her I would try. I was able to go back (when it was time for me to leave my shift...) and we talked a bit more. What a relief to help each other. She kept saying it was so nice to talk to someone who understands.
I had a sad day this week with a woman who had a stroke and told me, "I'm not myself anymore". When I asked who she thought she was now, all she could do was cry and shrug her shoulders.
Those of us here at DS understand what it feels like to wonder who we are when we have to redefine our selves while we live with chronic illness. I've talked to a number of people who talk about ongoing grief from aging, chronic illness, ongoing medical challenges, and so forth.
This woman told me she couldn't find words, she didn't know how to talk to her family, she didn't know what was going on at the hospital, and she felt "more than overwhelmed." We may not have had a stroke, but I think many of us can relate to her feelings. We CAN help each other with our shared understanding.
carry on.
She was soooo happy to see me and talk to me when I told her I've had CFS for 12 years. She had tears in her eyes as we talked and then she had to have a procedure and asked if I would come back - I told her I would try. I was able to go back (when it was time for me to leave my shift...) and we talked a bit more. What a relief to help each other. She kept saying it was so nice to talk to someone who understands.
I had a sad day this week with a woman who had a stroke and told me, "I'm not myself anymore". When I asked who she thought she was now, all she could do was cry and shrug her shoulders.
Those of us here at DS understand what it feels like to wonder who we are when we have to redefine our selves while we live with chronic illness. I've talked to a number of people who talk about ongoing grief from aging, chronic illness, ongoing medical challenges, and so forth.
This woman told me she couldn't find words, she didn't know how to talk to her family, she didn't know what was going on at the hospital, and she felt "more than overwhelmed." We may not have had a stroke, but I think many of us can relate to her feelings. We CAN help each other with our shared understanding.
carry on.
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