Caring for Pat

Hello everyone,

I'm not sure how many people still read this blog, but I do again want to thank everyone for their support, love, and prayers. Pat is now at home getting readjusted to daily living and we continue to pray that she make a full recovery.

For the most part, she is doing extremely well. She's getting stronger each day and even sounds like the "Old Pat", joking around with family and conning us (mainly me) into giving her sweets lol. It's so great to see her getting back into the swing of things.

However, she still needs help with physical activities. Her left side is experiencing tone - basically, her brain is telling her muscles to contract at the same time, which makes it difficult for her to do anything on that side, so she still needs help with personal grooming, dressing, transferring from one position to another, etc.

The family is asking for help with her care, especially after Dorian goes back to school. Right now, it is difficult for my mother to care for Pat everyday on her own, because she is still recovering from a stroke she had 3 years ago. And of course, with 2 small ones, I am limited to what I can physically assist with.

If anyone is able to take a shift (see below) or even come sit with  my children so that I can help Pat and our mom, please email me (marienichole.51@gmail.com) or call/text me (it's easier for me to text) at 301.928.2581. I am attempting to schedule help for her at least through the first of October.

Also, the family is also looking into Personal Care Assistant services for Pat, which unfortunately is not covered by insurance. I know times are tight for everyone, but if you are able to donate anything to Pat so that she may receive this service, please follow this link http://ps-ily.org/donate/. ALL donations will be used towards her medical care.

Shifts Monday-Friday
9-12pm
12-3pm
3-6 pm
6-9 pm

Shifts Saturday-Sunday
8-11 am
12-3 pm

Again, you can contact me at marienichole.51@gmail.com or 301.928.2581.


Thank you so much again!!!

Love,

Pat, Mommy, Dorian, and Nikki

Confident Peace

Hi everyone,

This has been a pretty challenging week with Pat coming home, both physically and emotionally. As we are all trying to get readjusted to our new lives and roles & responsibilities, there were moments of frustration, hurt, and exhaustion.

I'll be transparent here and say it was EXTREMELY difficult for me. I've personally had to assume new roles with my sister, mom, and Dorian and I felt myself breaking down. I was becoming more easily frustrated with my children and even my husband. The pressure I felt with Pat's new situation was affecting the way I handled my own situations this week. I was quickly becoming overwhelmed with trying to be a good wife and mother, as well as daughter, sister, and aunt.

One thing I remember my parents always saying is to pray when things seem uncertain. And that's exactly what I did last night. I immediately began to become comforted by God's spirit and I as I confessed to Him that I could not handle this on my own, I felt all the pressures of the week being lifted off of my shoulders.

This morning when I woke up, I felt refreshed and I did my devotions, appropriately titled Confident Peace. The devotion focused on living a peace-filled life and provided the example of the apostle Paul. When things in his life seemed to be too great to handle he recalled "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The light bulb clicked... I CAN do all things through Christ including being the wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt that He's called me to be. All I have to do is completely depend on Him. He will give me the power, strength, and love to sustain me in my new roles.

I have such a renewed spirit regarding my sister. WHATEVER happens with her recovery, I am CONFIDENT that God's will, will be done and that He will carry each and every one of us through this process.

So this week, I encourage you to completely depend on God for a situation or situations in your life that may overwhelm or discourage you. Know that HE does not put anything on us that we cannot bear BUT we must have total faith and dependency on Him.

Thank you all again for your thoughts, prayers, and love!