UNITED STATES—Some people say the one thing they wish for more than anything is good health. That especially holds true when your health is not great or that of your loved ones. I feel like I know that all too well in the recent 2 years. It feels like I have spent more time at hospitals than I care to say. From May 2025 thru August 2025, I was at a hospital daily with my dad that suffered an unbelievable infection that nearly killed him, then only to later be diagnosed with MRSA at the same time.
At one point myself and my sister were traveling daily from 3 different hospitals all over town; not close in the single bit. The recovery process has clocked in almost a year, which is what the doctor stated at the time, but he’s getting back to his norm. So, imagine life delivering you another curveball when you mother faces not one, but two strokes in a single day. I’m working at the time, and I try to ensure my shift is covered before in a panic rushing to the hospital.
After finally having a breather from hospitals, I find myself back at the hospital daily for nearly 2 1/2 months. Two different facilities not close at all, literally the rehab facility was an hour drive to and from each way. I’ve spent so much time in hospitals that I don’t know if I can fathom having to endure it anymore or any longer.
My point is that when you have a loved one who is sick, you become a part of that journey to heal. You cry together, you mourn together, you laugh together, you stress together. You take it all on, and it can be a lot at times. I’ve been a constant with my mom as she recovers from her strokes. Her movement is still a work in process on her left side, it likely will be for months to come as the doctors informed us.
Sometimes a stroke can devastate one’s body as I watched transpire with my uncle who is no longer with us. It impacted his speech and ability to move. My mother still has her speech in take, but her motor movements are forever impacts. For the past 4 months, I’m at her house several times a week preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry and even assisting with my stepdad who is suffering from a debilitating case of dementia that I don’t even want to discuss right now.
You are challenged when a loved one becomes sick. You are forced to rise to the occasion, but at the same time witness who will be there to help and who is not. I’ve said this before and it just feels like it comes full circle the more I think about it.
Your life changes when you’re caring for a loved one with a health crisis or illness. You get frustrated, you get tired, you get exhausted, you sometimes need someone to speak to. Why? Not everyone understands what you’re going thru, unless they’re going thru it. When you deal with trauma, the world doesn’t always care. People still move on with their life; that is life and it’s an unfortunate thing to hear, but it happens.
