His brain must be kept cold, but his body cannot handle the cold.
He kept shivering. It was hard to watch.
I debated whether or not to take a photo. What kind of sicko would photograph her uncle in this state?
I snapped this one shot. Just one. I looked at my LCD monitor. The image was so stark, even on a 2.5-inch screen. That was enough. I put my camera away and sat quietly for awhile, contemplating whether I should wake him up.
Lucky for me, my aunt arrived, and we chatted for awhile and caught up on each other's lives. She saved me from having to talk extensively to my uncle. He drifts in and out of sleep and can hear and understand, but he can't respond. I felt relieved that he could listen to us sharing our latest news without my actually speaking directly to him.
I'm not good with stuff like this.
This photo really proves the old cliche. Nothing I could write would come close to what I saw and felt for the hour I spent with my uncle today.
I hope he gets better soon. My cousin is getting married next year. He has to be there.
Surprisingly I am not very good at this stuff either. I will keep positive thoughts for your family!
ReplyDeleteA million positive thoughts to your uncle.
ReplyDelete:(. hugs and good thoughts going your family's and uncle's way.
ReplyDeletedespite having dealt with a lot of this kind of stuff in my family, i still suck at it. it never gets any easier, either. :(
Sending good thoughts to you, your uncle and the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, look at all those wires! I'm so sorry for your family! Thinking of you guys...
ReplyDelete:( I'm so sorry. I will be thinking of you and your family. Tons of positive healing vibes to your uncle.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts to your uncle and your family. [hugs]
ReplyDeleteEveryone has one of "those stories" right? Well here's mine - a classmate of mine had a brain aneurysm a couple years back. She wasn't supposed to live, but she did. She wasn't supposed to walk, but it only took her a little over a year to be back on her feet and dancing again. She's currently living and working in NYC and aside from the zipper in her head (what we call the metal stitches that will probably never come out)no one would ever know what she went through. The power of people is an incredible thing.
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry that your uncle and the family are having to go through this. Hugs to you my friend.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that your uncle and family are going through this. This post brought tears to my eyes. I will keep your uncle in my thoughts today, and I hope he pulls through.
ReplyDeleteI'll be keeping your uncle in my thoughts for a healthy recovery. {{HUGS}}
ReplyDeletelove and hugs to you all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry :(
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for uncle weemo.
awful. my thoughts are with him. health is really something i'm not taking for granted anymore. awful getting older.
ReplyDeletesending you bunches of hugs!!!
ReplyDelete(I'm awful at this stuff too - don't really know anyone who isn't...)
H+P
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your uncle. Prayers and positive thoughts go out for a timely recovery.
ReplyDeleteA note about feeling weird about taking photos of someone who isn't cognizant enough to give permission, at least you are very aware of your uncle's state of helplessness and took a photo out of respect and to document. Years ago my husband was in a coma for nearly a month after being struck by a hit-and-run driver as he was crossing the street. He had many, many visitors - both family and friends. A few people actually took photos and while it felt weird to do so at the time, I am so glad that someone visually documented even just a small part what he was going through. And today, now that he's pretty much recovered, he can truly appreciate what was going on at that time in his life, of which he has no memory. Now if things hadn't turned out so well, I'm not sure how I would feel about those photos, but I hope it would provide some perpective and an objective look back to a very difficult time. I don't think I would have ever been sorry those photos were taken.
Here's hoping your uncle will one day marvel at your photo.
Hang in there. Trite as it sounds, time does have a way of healing.
That looks like a scary scene right there. I am so sorry you have to go through with this. I will keep your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what GalNation said about documentation...and the power of the photo really does say it all.
ReplyDeleteLots of positive thoughts for your uncle and your family.
Many good thoughts to your uncle and your family.
ReplyDeleteWow. I think it's important in some way to take photos like this once in a while. It was done out of respect and love...and one of the best ways you express yourself (at least to me in Minnesota, since I can't giggle and get shushed with you at dinner in LA).
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to maintain communication with someone who's currently experiencing the best health, but it's still important. He can gather strengthf rom the love and support he sees; especially if he can hear and understand but not talk back. You went and you did the best you could; that means a lot to someone who is ill.
I am so sorry that your uncle has been struck by life like this. I will be hoping that he will be getting stronger by the minute. I too, know people who survived and thrived after brain aneursym/injury. Lots of love, hope, and healing thoughts to you.
I'm so sorry that your family is going through this. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry... it must be a terrible thing for your whole family. my heart goes out to all of you. i really hope your uncle makes a speedy recovery. i am really, truly sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Best wishes that your uncle makes a full recovery. I'll keep him in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you WeeMo. Sometimes you don't have to say anything. Just being there is enough. Good thoughts to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you and your family are going through this. I will keep your uncle in my thoughts.
ReplyDeletea picture really is worth a thousand words. reminds me of when my brother was hospitalized. it's strange to see someone so strong look so helpless. sending positive thoughts your way for your uncle!
ReplyDeleteHow is he?
ReplyDeleteI'm not good with this stuff either. please keep us posted, hugs to your family.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear, my wishes to your uncle and rest of the fam.
ReplyDelete