Oh Wow

What a difference a person makes. My experience with one person can be very trying, but the next person may be very liberating. Last night, my nurse was a new hire and was outstanding. It was her first time caring for me on her own. I was professionally and proficiently cared for. She fed me through my G tube, did trachea and G tube care, allowed me to sprint (disconnect from the ventilator) for five minutes, fed me two pieces of chocolate, and even hummed some.

I’m completely comfortable with her. She’s a great nurse, no doubt. I can relax when I am in the care of people like this nurse. I’m very observant and quite expeditiously determine whether a person has the skills. I have to; my life has depended upon it more than a few times.

I’m blessed to have the choice to eat orally or through my G-tube. Though not life-threatening, when I am assigned an unskilled or incompetent CNA, I can minimize their impact and just have the nurse feed me through the G-tube. I’d rather have maple oatmeal with yogurt-covered raisins and almonds. However, I prefer non frustrating and noncomplicated food over good-tasting food.

So, that is my day sometimes. Either wax on, or it’s wax off. I’m the Captain of my journey, and I make judgment calls frequently to ensure smooth sailing through each day. When and where possible, I help people gain the ability and skills necessary to be good at their jobs. When it’s just a matter of preference, I try to give them autonomy to do what and how they are comfortable. I’m all for appreciating people.

Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all. Alexander the Great. Simplysaidbysimon be a committee of one making this world a better place where you can with ALS – Afresh Loving Spectacularly.

Amazon and Kindle author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease. Audiobooks are on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.