It was Thursday last week when my husband received a text message from my father-in-law’s neighbor. The neighbor said FIL is feeling dizzy and can’t stand by himself. So hubby went straight to FIL’s house and have him checked by his doctor and confined in the hospital for two days. According to the doctor, FIL had a Cerebellar stroke due to his high blood pressure and high sugar level.
*The cerebellum is located in the lower part of the brain, towards the back. It plays a role in body movement, eye movement, and balance. A cerebellar stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply to the cerebellum is interrupted. Without oxygen and nutrients from blood, the brain tissue quickly dies. This results in the loss of certain functions and difficulty in walking because of problem with balance. The patient also experiences tremors and abnormal reflexes.
I remember the first time I met FIL. I wasn’t sure how to act around but when he smiled and shook my hand, I felt that he is a loving father. FIL is a joker and I am glad that hubby got the humor and everything else from him except for FIL’s being McGyver. Yes, FIL can fix everything from broken appliances to dripping roof. But now that he is having tremors, it would be hard for him to even shoot nuts in the bolts.
I don’t have any problem with my father-in-law. He is caring, compassionate and easy to be with. Now that he is down with stroke, it is my and hubby’s turn to repay his kindness by giving him the day-to-day attention that he needs…feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming. etc.
A person who had stroke suffers from many disabilities. This will change not only the life of the patient but the life of the whole family as well. The patient is going to have special needs not to mention the extra expenses that go along with it. But it is not the end of the world yet. There is life after stroke. Aside from the full medical attention, give the patient extra care and try to understand him/her the best way you can. Most of all…treat the person with the same dignity and respect you would want to be given to you.
*Source: www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Having any kind of disability is really challenging not just for the family, but more for the patient. It’s important that we not only provide them the medical care they need. More important is to make it a point that we make them feel that they are in no way a burden to any member in the family. While they appreciate the kindness and the care, they also have this sinking feeling that they are being a burden. I felt that same way when I had to undergo a spine surgery a few years back. I guess it’s a normal reaction to the situation.
i hope and pray that your FIL will recover in the soonest time, I can relate in his situation, my dad is a walking time bomb, the reason why i keep on bugging him daily to remind him to take his prescription meds 🙁
We should never belittle stroke as it is more challenging than expected although it can be prevented. Those who have had stroke need medical attention and primarily support from family members. I agree CARE is the best term to use for them.
Communication, love, and patient is most important, caring for those who have disability is a major.
Extra care should be given for a person who had stroke and maybe you even need to remodel the furnitures just to ensure, it remains convenient for the person.
Reminds me of Ruth and Naomi, how she still cared for her after so many years…you’d surely be blessed for looking after your FIL sis and so will the people who loves him. It’s a sad reality that we have, when we get old and get sick but Revelation 21:4 has a promise I look forward to: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your father-in-law. I never had a relative who already suffered from stroke so I don’t really know what procedures should be followed, but I’ll be including him and your family in my prayers. May he recover soon.
Sorry to know about what happened to your father-in-law. While reading this, I thought, I’m still lucky that my parents are still healthy and strong. This must be really hard for you and your family. But everything will be okay with His guidance. Sending my hugs to you now..
I have heard a lot of stories about people who are having hard times taking care of their loved ones who just got stroke and its really hard.
thank you ate rossel for taking care of daddy. thank you for your patience. hope that God bless you more with strength physically and emotionally.
My grandmother had Alzheimers and she had also had several strokes. My mother cared for her around the clock. There wasn’t really anything that she could do by herself. When she remembered who she was, she still had a very big sense of humor. In the end she died from a stroke. I wish your family all the best and your husband must be wonderful and very giving to care for his family and his father. Best wishes!