Monday, September 17, 2018

The Healing Power of Social Support

Nature is a great healer, but so is the support you get from relatives and friends.  I wasn't really aware of what was going on for the first few weeks way back in Feb., but recently I've learned that my wife, my son, and my sister were all there for three weeks straight.  That was a huge part of my survival!

After that, they all took turns coming for 1-3 days a week.  Sure made me feel wanted!  My room was known to the nurses as the room with the music, the photographs, the cards and the flowers.  It was all an enormous support.  Other  friends supported my wife, who I'm now totally dependent on.  The role of caregivers is sadly under-estimated.  We have a long list of friends wanting to visit once I get home.

I can't leave out the nurses, who provide all the day-to-day care, and the therapists who have brought me to this point.  And here at Parkwood the patients get to know each other.  It makes you feel like you have an extended family.

I'm even at the point of appreciating social media.  When something like this happens, you need all the communication tools you can find.



   

10 comments:

  1. You sure do have some committed relatives. There must be some reason for it, like you yourself. I'm so glad to hear how supported you are. :-)

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  2. Those of us who follow your blog can be added to the list of those who, at least, lend moral support. Social contacts are really important to humans, we're social animals and need that contact, especially when things don't go well.

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  3. I too realised the support needed when I cared for my father-in-law then my m-in-law. And those of us so far away and not to be able to help in a physical or practical way, still care so much. As Woody wrote, blog followers are so important. I had many loving words when Hugh had his heart attack, as you have had lately. And this all goes to show you are in your own heart a very dear,generous, and loving man.

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  4. They supported a strong person.

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  5. Family, friends , nurses and all care givers are very important when it comes to ones healing process , human contact and interactions help greatly . As humans we tend to forget all that until we ourselves need it . I am glad all were and are there to help you and that goes for your blogger fans to and yes an extended family for sure .

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  6. Sounds like you had (and still have) an amazing support system.

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  7. It is so important to have support and love and it sounds like you have an abundance of both.

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  8. What an amazing support system, so many friends out there as wells glad that hemet you and Mrs. FG last summer.

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  9. Your family has been awesome, that is so nice to hear that even though you didn't know, they were there. The staff and friends can sure make a difference too in your healing.
    We don't want to overwhelm you when you arrive home, so will be in touch about whether it suits you before we come for a visit. Getting close! Yay!

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