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Does anyone have experience with Palliative Care?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Jul 29 9:27am | Replies (154)Comment receiving replies
Ah, the urge to "get it done". I had an "aha" moment once with my Mom in the grocery store - to her it was an outing, to me it was an errand.
It was a matter of perspective. I decided to make it an outing for myself too. I watched people. I looked at products on the tops shelves in each aisle - you know, the odd stuff like specialty condiments, artichoke hearts and imported cookies.
Interestingly, I came out of the store relaxed, not impatient like I usually was at the end of one of our grocery trips. By that time in her life, enticing her to eat was not easy. So the next time we went to a local specialty grocery and made it an adventure. Sure, the staple items cost a bit more, but we found a few things she would eat, and we enjoyed the journey.
Caregiving changed my perception of many aspects of life. Did you know a McDonalds' Filet'o'Fish sandwich could be a treat if you weren't able to drive up and get one whenever you wanted it?
Sue
Replies to "Ah, the urge to "get it done". I had an "aha" moment once with my Mom..."
Thank you Sue! What good advice. I will try to remember your ideas next time we're out. You are right - for me it was an errand, but for my spouse it was an outing, which she hasn't had a lot of lately. As she said, I have never spent an hour in a grocery store in my life! I grew up with a dad who said "First you have to need it, then it has to go on sale, then you can buy it" and I think a lot like he did!
Dee
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@sueinmn My former mother-in-law, a very sweet lady, had a difficult time finding someone to allow her to "go along" with when she wanted to go shopping. She never learned to drive. It was an adventure for her. Carefully get dressed, walking shoes on, pocketbook stuffed with who-knows-what. And off to the store.
We went up and down each aisle, her marveling at "new confounded things", looking at everything, and of course interacting with fellow shoppers. Some looked pittance at me, others smiled and nodded, understanding completely. I learned to enjoy seeing her excitement, picking up weird items sure to confuse others at home. Then off to lunch at a restaurant of her choosing. It was a wondrous time that I cherished.
So much in this world is "a matter of perspective", isn't it?
Ginger