Al has been at CORE Healthcare for weeks now and I think that it’s time for me to get my groove back. Jordan and I drive to Core one evening during the week to visit Albert and bring him home on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Core doesn’t allow Albert to spend the night away from the facility, so our weekend looks like this: Friday night after work and Jordan’s athletics practices or games, we drive to CORE. Sometimes we stop and get food on the way and sometimes we eat at the facility. Albert is usually in his room when we arrive, so we go to his room and hang out for a while before I fall asleep from exhaustion. Jordan goes to the game room and plays Xbox games with his friends. At some point during the night, Jordan comes to the room and sleeps on the cot that has been set out for him.
On Saturday morning we wake up around 5:30 a.m. and drive home, picking up Starbucks on the way. We spend the day and evening at home eating, watching tv, and doing little things around the house. Around 7 pm, we get ready to take Albert back to Core. Most days he’s reluctant and doesn’t want to return, but deep inside he knows it’s best because he gets in the car without arguing, and he knows that he’s heading back to rehab.
On Sunday morning, Jordan and I wake up early, get ready for worship, and head to Core. We pick Albert up and drive to church. After worship, we pick up dinner and return to the house for the afternoon. We attend evening worship services and afterwards drive Albert back to Core for another week of rehab.
Between driving to and from CORE, going to Jordan’s basketball games, and working full-time, I’ve realized that there’s little time for me. Exhaustion has set in and I know that I must take time for myself physically, spiritually, and mentally if I’m going to be able to continue to take care of them. I again decided that I was going to start taking care of myself. I would begin working out regularly, study and meditate on the Word of God, and walk every Saturday morning with my sister Charlene after we arrived home from CORE. (This wasn’t the first time I made this goal, but I meant it this time.)
Charlene has been a great support to me throughout the stroke. We walked every Saturday and sometimes on weekday evenings before the stroke. As we walked, we talked, and we talk about everything. Charlene knows me well and I can say anything to her without shocking her. Since the stroke, we talk about how it has affected the lives of my children. We talk about how the stroke has changed my life, ways to live a productive life with stroke, and how important it is for me to find time for myself. Charlene listens intently and offers advice and suggestions that I may or may not take. The important thing is that she’s here for me, and she hears me.
Getting my groove back was attainable because I’ve been surrounded by supportive family members who love me. My sons, sisters, Albert’s brothers, and my dad have been instrumental in getting my family to where we are now. Having supportive loved ones and knowing that God has me gives me the strength and courage to love and take care of me as I take care of Albert.
Learning to Live Life and Loving it - Carol Johnson Blogs 