Connect
← Return to Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk
Discussion
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk
Intensive Care (ICU) | Last Active: Sep 16 7:52pm | Replies (609)Comment receiving replies
Oh my goodness, @rckj what an ordeal. I can hardly imagine. I'm not surprised that you're grumpy and numb and not sure how to feel. You still have to recuperate. Be kind to yourself and give it time. Crying is okay too. Thank goodness for your husband. He sounds like a gem.
It is so tiresome to constantly need care. I know that you are physically and emotionally tired and you're pulling from reserves that are empty. But I wonder if it might give you pleasure and satisfaction to do something for someone - like your husband? Keep it super simple. Ask him to sit with you, take his hand and simply let him know how appreciated he is. I'm sure he knows that and no doubt you tell him. But look at it with a slightly different perspective. Instead of seeing as a position of vulnerability and needing him. Think of giving him a gift of appreciation from a position of strength. It's the "care" you can give him. Is that crazy?
Replies to "Oh my goodness, @rckj what an ordeal. I can hardly imagine. I'm not surprised that you're..."
Connect
@colleenyoung great to hear from you. Thanks for the TLC! My husband is amazing and the minute I heard your idea, I felt better. I can’t cook right now, we have help but it’s not the same. We do have a terrific Asian Fusion restaurant about 5 miles away and he loves sashimi. Ordered him what he likes and some Chinese noodles with protein for me, I’ve been getting the riot act from all medical personnel about eating more protein. Helper will pick up and set up and clean up. Probably in bed with a big bath towel as I’m still very weak. He doesn’t know yet, will know when it arrives. Set up the bedroom music system for his favorite music too. I feel much better, thank you so much. Suddenly energized and happier. I can actually do something that is not self centered and is for him and for us as a couple. Didn’t think I could feel happy right now but I do. My husband and I have been talking and holding hands throughout this but I think it was more his comforting me. You are so wise to have thought of what I can give him as a gift of appreciation. This was easy, haven’t needed anything but a phone and he will, I think, feel loved and taken care of by me. And I do feel stronger, more myself. Thank you so much and all my appreciation. Rhoda