Two heartbreaking life events have taken place in my world in the last year, each one occurring on August 29th. On that date in 2013, I was just coming home from Las Vegas when we got the news that my cousin David passed away. And on that same date just 2 weeks ago, my grandmother suffered a stroke. August 29th is also my father's birthday. So you can see why this particular date is both joyful and painful for me.
When something happens in your life that hits so close to home, it really has a way of shaking you to your core. Losing my cousin David was heart-wrenching for me, because just shy of his 40th birthday, he left us. A year after his passing, I still continue to look at my life and the world around me with different eyes. Similarly, when I got the call that my grandmother had a stroke recently, I was devastated. An 88 year-old energetic beauty who was once independent, was now bed-ridden. Since her admission into the hospital, I have not missed a day seeing her. She is my only living grandparent. I have gone on vacations with this woman. She has a unique and impressive energy that everyone notices. She's a survivor, a nurturer, a quiet and patient individual. And as G-d is my witness, I will do anything in my power to help her through this devastating affliction.
Every morning when I see my Buba (as I lovingly call her), I kiss her face and hands, whisper 'good morning' in her ear, and start massaging her feet. In fact, I've been studying the art of reflexology recently, and have been trying to heal my grandmother with some acupressure. Apparently, certain treatments I've already given her have worked and whether the energy is coming from me or a higher power, she is slowly healing. It will take time, but she will come around. It may not be the exact same quality of life she had before the stroke, but she will be here for another good while, yet.
I've been watching the other patients who share the same room as my grandmother, this week. They don't get the same kind of care as my grandmother does. Why? Because my family is proactive. My grandmother is never left alone, because one of us is always by her side, making sure she's getting proper care. Sadly, I've noticed that the other patients don't get regular visitors too often and the nurses on staff are so busy sometimes, they forget to administer medications and deliver meals on time. Our health care system really does suck.
I never knew how lax the medical world was until I witnessed it with my own eyes. It frightens me, actually. Hospitals are usually dingy, damp and disgusting. People look miserable because all they see day in and day out, is misery. It's no wonder so many of the medical staff I see are overweight, jaded and utterly unhappy with their lives. I've been keeping my eyes wide open these past two weeks and frankly, I'm disheartened with what I see. Yes, hospitals are sad places. But, a lot of the people working in them are quite sad, as well. They hate their jobs. They're impatient, quick to judge and visibly tired.
Doctors are not gods. They do NOT know everything. And it is our job to learn and get educated about our family's ailments. And I firmly believe that when it is your family member who is suffering, you want them to get the best attention and care. That is why my family ROCKS. I've seen so many wonderful and tender moments that have made my heart soar, this week alone. I'm honored to see my mom, my aunt Tami, my uncle Pete, my cousins, my husband and all of our family friends and relatives giving my grandmother attention and well-wishes. It's a beautiful thing...
Patience-- the one trait that so many of us lack. In sickness, one must make efforts to be more patient, because the healing process can often be lengthy. For my Buba, it will take a long while for her to come around. But, she's proven the medical staff wrong since she's been in the hospital, and for that, I am elated. They'd given us some unfavorable prognoses for her recovery in the past few days but already, she has made strides. The simple act of her opening her eyes for more than a few minutes yesterday, made me well up with tears.
I love that woman. She's a strong, dedicated warrior. She makes me so proud. I will not stop offering my healing energy to the lady that I adore. I will continue to practice patience with my favorite patient--she never complains, is gentle, has the softest skin, and expresses her thanks every day, because she's aware and happy that her family is around her. She WILL make it through this.
Dear G-d: Thank you from the depths of my soul, for keeping my BUBA alive. Give her the power to heal from the inside out, one small step at a time, and please keep her with us for years to come.
