Of Rights and Responsibilities
I’ve got to admit - Dorothy’s tough. After a full day of doing just about everything she was told not to do, she only complained about some pain in her leg. Of course, it forced her into a chair with her leg elevated for the entire evening, but still - just the one complaint.
My daughter stayed with her today while I was at work, and I came home to find Dorothy “towing” chairs with her walker so she could sweep the floor. I couldn’t convince her to quit, but eventually her leg did. She never said “I can’t”, but she did submit to a solid “I can only do one room a day”.
I hesitated before going to the store to buy milk, not knowing what she’d attempt next, but went anyway. I jokingly told her “no ladders!” When I came back, she told me there was a surprise in the garage. I discovered clothes in the washing machine down two brick steps. Apparently the afternoon trip was the real cause of the pain in her leg.
Dorothy’s always been very independent, and convincing her to slow down has proved quite the challenge. I threatened to request in-home care to keep her in line, but I really just need God to invade her thinking.
The Meat:
So many people have asked how they can help, and what we need the most is prayer. My job is important on both a personal and community level, but I feel like I’m abandoning her when I leave. If I can’t leave and try to work from home, I deal with the guilt of missing the mark professionally.
Dorothy needs both physical and emotional healing. She’s a notorious achiever with an unimaginable independent streak. The current pace and physical limitations are very difficult for her.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:40 am
Dan,
I know what you are going through. When my wife had surgery on her foot, I had a rough time keeping her down also. After a few days, I had to go back to work and when I returned home, she had been up and about doing things around the house, which was against the doctors orders.
I will keep you and Dorothy in prayer. GOD bless
Carl
May 1st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Dear Bro. Dan, I can understand what you are going through. Eddie doesn’t understand the word stop very well either. But when his body has hit that one spot where he just can’t physically, he stops. I will pray that she learns the meaning of stop and rest.
Love and peace, Rosetta
May 8th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Dan and Dorothy-
Ever since I discovered that it was Dorothy that had been struck by that vehicle that morning, I have been praying for you two. I am, yet again, in awe of the Lord’s supreme power and His control when I realize how he has healed you and done an incredible work in your lives.
Dorothy-I understand the whole independence thing, but be certain to take it easy. As a nurse, I get the chance to see how God created our bodies to do some incredible things and to recover from injuries and illnesses that we normally would not imagine we could, but He uses rest to accomplish it. Pain is the way the body tells you it’s had enough. Listen to it.
Dan- you do what the Lord leads you to and know that we are all praying the He shows you His will for not just your life, but for each day of your life. Try not to feel guilty for not going to work if the Lord tells you your needed at home. Your work is not just what you do professionally, but what you do every day in the lives of your family.
I love you guys! Tell Brandon that “Miss Traci” is so proud of him!
-Traci Harris