Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!
Topic: The Nurse-Caregiver in Me
The Nurse-Caregiver in me wants to help the world, save the world, rescue the world, and love the world. Since I am a realist, I know, none of this comes easy. Actually, I want these things for me! As a caregiver, we always want to rescue the perish…RIGHT? We have to make it all right for others, or so we think and feel!
Today, I am in a reflective spirit. Reflective because a year ago, our family set sail on a journey I would not want for any enemy(prayerfully, I have none). COVID-19 came- a-knocking and we tried our best as a family, to not open the door. As we have all come to realize, COVID-19 has no respect for a person, no respect for geography, no respect for ethnicity, and no respect for age.
My beautiful niece, KerriKay, at 49-years old, contracted Covid-19 and died. She fought! We fought! We prayed! She prayed! At some point, I believe with her struggles, her prayers were different from ours. Her discharge…hospital to heaven. There is a truth that we all are pilgrims passing along life’s journey, however, knowing this, does not make the sadness go away. I asked myself why the loss of a loved one to COVID-19 seems and feels like a tsunami. It erupted in our family and the waves, when they settled down, left us forever scared, but for my sister, losing her only child, I want the Nurse-Caregiver to fix it all, knowing I can’t.
Over the coming days and months,( Kerri died on June 3rd, 2021), I pray for words to say to my sister, knowing that words will not fix anything. At times, I think words make good intentions worse. In the bigger picture, caring for each other may sound elementary, but, just imagine, if you could not do it anymore. As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, I must admit, I could use a hug, so I can give it away, especially to my sister. Be safe! Know that…COVID-19 is not finished with us. Be well!
