Flip Side-Dishes

Even a child is known by his deed, Whether what he does is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11 NKJV

Now that I've broken my heel and can't put weight on it for 90 days, I've become the "caregivee" instead of the caregiver. Christ has blessed me with so many insights from my experience with my dad that I'm trying to apply as my husband takes care of me.

 I like to do the dishes in the dishwasher. We regularly have little ones over and using the dishwasher makes me feel they are less prone to share germs that lead to illnesses. My husband, on the other hand, likes to do the dishes by hand. It's an issue that periodically surfaces when one of the kiddos is sick.

 In trying to be more gracious and less of a burden, Christ has shown me that I need to feel comfortable with things getting done rather than focusing on the ideal way to do them. This idea has been a primary focus throughout my healing period, no pun intended, but it would have been good!
Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: How to Use a Two Wheel Walker
By: Cindy, Adaptive Equipment Corner via You Tube

Flip Side-Being There for Dad

Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. Proverbs 20:20 NKJV

 My dad moved here over 3 1/2 years ago to help him with his medical issues. He lived with us the first year until the doctors said he needed more medical care. He lived in a nice local group home until the doctors said he needed skilled nursing 24/7, because of his Parkinson's Disease and repeated bouts of pneumonia. Since then, Dad's lived at the Veteran's Home. 

 It's been wonderful for my dad to live there, but the only downside is that it's an hour away. When Dad lived in the local group home, I used to go see him every day. I pick up grandkiddos after school three days a week, so visiting daily wasn't an option now that he was an hour away. 

 When Dad moved into the Veteran's Home, I told him that we'd try to visit two days a week. We generally have done that by going up on one day, spending the night at a local hotel and visiting Dad the next day before we drove back home.

 I thought I could continue that, but I'm not always very realistic about my capabilities. We drove up and visited Dad at the Veteran's Home. Again, Dad's transport chair came in handy as my husband pushed me to go see Dad. We went to the hotel as we normally do, but I couldn't get the pillows to stack up to comfortably hold my leg in the cast.
What started out feeling good, eventually got weighed down by the cast, putting pressure on my broken heel. I was still up at 3:00 a.m. trying to rearrange pillows near in tears, because I hadn't gotten any rest, thus far. I prayed about it and slept until morning. 
Then, we went to go visit Dad before we headed back home. On the way home, my foot became aggravated, because the pillows kept put ting pressure on the cast and my heel. 

  The next week, I found myself dreading the trip to visit Dad. After being prayerful about it, I realized God was trying to convey that I needed to make some adjustments to this, as well as other things in my life, during the healing process.

After prayerful consideration, I decided to go visit Dad only once a week. Not being able to get comfortable in the hotel until the wee hours took a toll on me. The long ride up and back while in the backseat trying to hold the pillows was probably all I could handle until I was better. 

 My husband has been kind enough to go visit Dad a second time most weeks, because I'm just not up to it. Fortunately, God was watching out for my well-being, because I was headstrong about continuing to see Dad twice a week. 

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: I Overdid It!
By: Robin Mc Fadyen via Youtube

Flip Side-Family Gathering

An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 20:21 NKJV

Instead of being the caregiver, I became the "caregivee" when I broke my heel and was told not to put any weight on it for 90 days. We had made plans for a family get together long before I broke my leg. I had made plans to cook an elaborate dinner, something I rarely get to do because of the distance. I had piled the spare bed with needed non-perishable foods, so it would be ready when we left. 

 At first, I thought we'd have to cancel the family gathering, because of my heel. Fortunately, the Orthopedic doctor said I could still go if I rode in the backseat with my broken heel higher than my heart. It wasn't easy, but it didn't matter, because I felt that God had really blessed me by letting me get to go. I didn't even care so much at that point that I wasn't going to be able to make the elaborate family meal I had been planning.

 I was in the process of rescheduling our gathering to a pizza parlor when our son and daughter-in-law offered to have it at their house and to cook the meal for everyone. It has been so truly amazing to see the way everyone has pitched in when there's a need over the last few years since my dad moved here. We had a wonderful time. Again, Dad's transport chair was an invaluable asset.

 They were kind enough to offer us their room, when we had planned on sleeping on the couch. I really didn't want to inconvenience them, but was so glad they had insisted when it came time to use their attached bathroom. 

 All-in-all, the family gathering was more than worth any and all inconveniences involved. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

 Video: Stages of Weight Bearing with Crutches After an Injury
By: Robin McFadyen via Youtube

The Flip Side-Doctor's Appointments

The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. Proverbs 20:29 NKJV

 At the E R they told me I'd have to see an Orthopedic Surgeon as soon as I got home. Fortunately, my husband was able to contact our insurance while we were still out of state to find an approved Orthopedic Surgeon in our network. 

 Additionally, my primary care physician put through the referral for the Orthopedic Surgeon. On top of that, God had it all come together seamlessly with getting an appointment with that same Orthopedic Surgeon the same day we returned.

 Fortunately, the shuttle driver had picked us up at the airport with a wheelchair, since I can't walk on my broken heel. We got to our home around 1:30 a.m. We had to quickly figure out how to get me into bed and prop my leg up, so I could get some sleep before my 10 a.m. appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon that morning.

 I've been so blessed that we had my dad's transport chair here to take me to the appointment. After examining the xrays from the ER and the new xrays they took in the office, the Orthopedic Surgeon said I need a CT scan of my foot to determine if the break needed surgery. I was fitted with a new temporary cast, because they had to cut the other one off for the xrays.

  We got the CT scan done the following day. Again, my dad's transport chair came in handy for appointments. We took the CD of the scan to the Orthopedic Surgeon's office. I was so pleased I didn't need surgery afterall. Additionally, was pleased, because the doctor said I could go to a prearranged family gathering as long as I rode in the backseat of the car with my leg propped up. Yeah!

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: 50% Weight Bearing Demo
By: BRBJ Foot & Ankle via Youtube

The Flip Side-Flying

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. you shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. Proverbs 23:13-14 NKJV 

 Well my visit with family in another state was nearing a close. I was starting to get concerned about my flight home. Especially since one of the flights had passengers board outside and then go up a steep ramp. After tumbling in the night a few days ago, I lost my confidence in being able to hobble up that steep ramp in my walker as I hopped on one leg due to breaking my heel the day after I had arrived there.

 A family member suggested contacting the airlines and asking them for wheelchair assistance with both flights. The same person suggested that we request handicapped seating, which we did. He also suggested that we follow up with the airline and verify these services were, in fact, in place.

 That was really good advice! Not only had they followed through with what was arranged, but they went out of their way and got us seats with more leg room. It was an answer to prayer! I had been praying about how I would be able to keep my foot elevated above my heart, as the ER doctor had suggested. 

 Airline staff wheeled me up steep ramps, got me from one plane to another and gave me seats where I could prop my foot up some. I was truly blessed. Staff members were accommodating and so we're passengers who were requested to take alternate seats. I hope these people know in their hearts what their gracious response meant to me!

 Fortunately, we had contacted the shuttle that was supposed to pick us up at our final destination. He met us at the airport with a wheelchair and a wheelchair van. All of these accommodations 
Christ allowed for me, made my multi-hour return home much more pleasant!!!
Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: 25% Weight Bearing Demo
By: BRBJ Foot & Ankle via Youtube

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