The Physical Manifestations of Grief in Caregivers
The physical manifestations of grief in caregivers are unexpected and pervasive. That, in a nutshell, is what God has been teaching me since the death of my mother on June 23, 2023.
Mom’s suffering was great during her final 2 years on this earth. My siblings and I had no desire to prolong her life through medical intervention. We rejoiced when her suffering ended. Her funeral was a celebration, a sharing of memories, a gathering of extended family who loved her and supported us. We wept, we hugged, we said our goodbyes, and my siblings moved on with their lives.
I tried to do the same. A few weeks after Mom’s death, my husband and I packed our new camper and headed west for a much-needed vacation. On the second day, we turned around due to truck trouble and prayed as it limped all 500 miles to our home.
Soon after our return I started limping due to foot pain. The foot pain moved into my leg and then into my hip. During this time my uncle, who was like a second father to me, died. In mid-October, physical pain landed me in bed. From there I limped to the doctor’s office, was diagnosed with a pinched nerve, given a cortisone shot, and started physical therapy.
In an attempt to spare you the details, here’s a pared down timeline of life from then until now:
November and December 2023: Physical therapy, physical therapy, and more physical therapy.
December 2023: Pinched nerve better, bursitis causes by pinched nerve exercises worse.
January 2024: Physical therapy relieves bursitis, but pain from iliotibial band (IT band) increases.
Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the monthly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email.
By Jolene
Subscribe for Updates from Jolene
Related Posts
Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed the World
Eunice Kennedy is best known as the founder of Special Olympics. Eileen McNamara’s biography of this complex woman reveals her life long advocacy for children, women, and people with disabilities.
Ministering To and With Those Who Teach Our Children with Special Needs
When we move from expecting those who teach our children with special needs to ministering with them, amazing things can happen.
What Teachers Think About the Week Before School Begins
Take a peek at what teachers think about the week before school begins. It may explain why they look nervous on the first day of school.
0 Comments