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I have been sick, officially, for eight weeks now. I believe that I was actually sick for at least a week before that, but shingles are hard to diagnose until the actual rash shows. Since my shingles were almost all on my scalp, it was hard to see what was happening. Through this experience I have learned a lot that I would like to share with you. The first concept is to have a plan.
On March 23, my husband had to call an ambulance for me at 10:00 pm. I had already been in bed, and he was in the living room watching television. My children, or course, were already in bed. Life got a little hectic in those few moments before the paramedics arrived, but that is to be expected. What shouldn't happen, however, is the chaos that occurred AFTER we found out I would be taken to the hospital to be treated.
Because my daughters were in bed, my husband decided he was going to stay home with them. I would be going to the emergency room by myself, which I completely agreed with. We didn't want to wake up friends and family and bother them since we didn't yet know what was going on. Everyone says they have friends they can call at 4 AM. Do you really? In the face of an emergency, do you know who you would call immediately?
In our case, we were able to have my husband stay home and watch the children. He would call my parents after we heard a little more information about what was happening. There was no use worrying people in the middle of the night if we didn't have to. What would we have done if the situation was more serious, though, and my husband had to be with me to make important decisions? Fortunately my parents DO live close to us, and we could have called them. What plan do you have in place for emergencies? Do you feel comfortable calling people late at night? Early in the morning? Do you even WANT people to know you are sick? Who do you want called in the case of a serious injury, illness, or hospitalization?
These questions all need to be answered BEFORE an emergency happens. I cannot stress enough how important having a medical plan is. As I look back at my own situation I realize how much we were really running on adrenaline. As a tight-knit family we didn't have any doubts that my parents would help care for my children while my husband cared for me. I suppose that was plan enough for us. What is YOUR plan?
5 comments:
I was there my friend and neighbor and managed to stay a bit so he could check on you... was even prepared to call in sick from work to stay the day if I was needed... one thing you can depend on is, despite cancer etc... you are family to me and friend... and I shall always be here to help in whatever way I can.
For now, my prayers and love are at your side daily... God bless. Heal quickly and keep the faith.
Karen...I've been blessed to have my "in-laws" live in the same town....when big daddy tried to put me up a swing for mother's day and when it fell with a two by four that landed on my head..the neighbors watched the kids until the in-laws came. I've been thinking about you....hope your feeling a bit better..blessings friend.
Thanks Pleemiller. I am pretty much the same, though I've had some good days. That's really all I can ask for right now. The past couple of days have been tough, but I think that may be because I did too much the days my mom was in the hospital earlier this week. I've been doing a lot of sleeping.
I hope you have a terrific weekend!
We are fortunate where we live now that we have a good support system and even if we had to go to the ER or had another emergency we have 'nite owls' friends who are up all night anyway so we cd call them. But I remember when I was pregnant w/my last daughter, we lived far from family and had just moved to the area. We had to leave our older daughter w/my husband's boss' wife (she was a peach I have to say!) but it was tough for everyone. Of course that was the night they had a drill at 3 Mile Island so it freaked everyone out because it wasn't that long after the accident up there and my poor daughter was only three, staying w/relative strangers, and woken up in the middle of the night! Not fun! Agree, have a plan!
Nancy, that does sound like it was a challenge for your family. In the end we all figure out something, but it sure makes it easier if we know in advance what we are going to do. Thanks for sharing!
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