Morning Update – Nov. 23

Megan ended up with a pretty tiring day last night and due to the way the transfer needs to be done, she didn’t think she had the energy to do the shower last night. Instead she got her first shower this morning with OT assisting. That was probably the best for her safety, but it was a lot of effort first thing in the morning, so she had a couple of melt downs getting undressed and redressed. I could only hear from outside the bathroom, but it sounded like the shower itself went well and when I was doing her dressing, she did say for her first positive that the shower felt really nice and her second positive was that she enjoyed feeling clean finally.

You might be wondering what the “positives” are all about. Basically, Megan has been through a LOT, so when she has a melt down I don’t try to stop her. If she needs to yell or cry or whatever, she needs to experience and express that emotion. That is healthy for any of us, but I think it’s especially healthy for her. When she is done, after she has had time to experience and express herself, then she lists some positive things. I think it’s super important that she grieves and that is part of a melt down. It’s ok for her to be exhausted and feel overwhelmed. When she is done on her own, not because I’ve told her to stop, then it’s also really important to list out what is going well. She can’t just stay in the pit. If she does then she loses her motivation and won’t progress. If she represses all the pain, anger, and sadness, she won’t move forward either. So she gets to have as many meltdowns as she needs and then she lists out positives. This can be things that are going well, things she is looking forward to, or anything else she considers positive.

It’s really tough letting her have a melt down, and sometimes I can hold her which makes it easier for me, but today I was in the other room hearing her cry and not going to her and that was really hard. I know this is an important part of moving forward for her. I mean, Megan wouldn’t stop just because I told her to anyway. That’s not who she is. It doesn’t make it easier on me though.

Speaking of meltdowns, yesterday I had my computer on the chair and it slipped and cracked the screen. I have a new computer coming next week. So frustrating. My positives:

• Most of the screen is usable so I can still do my work. I have to resize the windows to fit the usable space, but it is working.
• Kevin Rogers at InfoTech in Front Royal is able to replace the screen with Apple original equipment for a very reasonable price. I knew he could do this because I ran into him and his wife Trudy a few weeks before all of this started and he told me about it. I’m happy that it worked out and I’ll be able to use this computer as a backup and/or family computer going forward.
• I have a 10 year old computer that still works that I can use as a backup. It might be slower but I’ll make due while this one is being repaired and the new computer is still shipping.

Still feels really frustrating, like 2021 is trying to get in a few more digs. Pretty well think I’ve earned a break, but things happen and that’s life, so gonna roll with it.

In other good news, the swelling in Megan’s foot is getting better. She is wearing compression socks and elevating more even when in the wheelchair. That is helping and I hope to see her continue to improve.

Prayer Needs:

• Continued healing in foot/heel
• Overall recovery
• Stomach/gut distress

Talitha cumi, shower goal achieved, next stop home!