Empathy
Hi Friends,
Went grocery shopping today, which is always so exciting...got some good stuff, though, and now I actually have some food in the house which is good. Ran a couple other errands, and then headed over to spend the afternoon with mom. She was quite upset with the nurses when I arrived because apparently her roommate was in distress, expressing pain and calling out repeatedly for someone to come in...mom, being the sweet, empathetic person that she is went out to the nurse's station to let them know, and apparently no one was coming in. She got really upset and was letting the nurse know this when I arrived, and got herself all worked up...I brought her back to her room and calmed her down...I've not seen her get quite so invested in something like that, and though at first it was very distressing to see her so upset, I was reminded that it's a good thing that she has maintained her passion and sense of self enough that she is able to express her concern and fight for something. But even though she was justified in her concerns (I did hear her roommate calling out myself...someone did eventually come in, but that's another story), we talked about redirecting her energies to caring for herself, and talked about how it is not her responsibility to care for the other patients there, however nice of her that may be. I know it must be difficult for her because she is right there and privy to the goings on of her roommate, and hearing someone suffering without being able to help is not a good feeling. I just don't want her getting so upset when she shouldn't have to be responsible for that.
Anyway, after that debacle we worked on her Speech Therapy homework some more, and though it was difficult, we got through most of it. Then we just hung out and chatted before I left...she had dinner down in the Bistro again tonight, which she enjoyed. I just came home and watched a movie..."A Mighty Heart"...which was pretty good but not so uplifting. Am off to bed now...hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. Peace.
Went grocery shopping today, which is always so exciting...got some good stuff, though, and now I actually have some food in the house which is good. Ran a couple other errands, and then headed over to spend the afternoon with mom. She was quite upset with the nurses when I arrived because apparently her roommate was in distress, expressing pain and calling out repeatedly for someone to come in...mom, being the sweet, empathetic person that she is went out to the nurse's station to let them know, and apparently no one was coming in. She got really upset and was letting the nurse know this when I arrived, and got herself all worked up...I brought her back to her room and calmed her down...I've not seen her get quite so invested in something like that, and though at first it was very distressing to see her so upset, I was reminded that it's a good thing that she has maintained her passion and sense of self enough that she is able to express her concern and fight for something. But even though she was justified in her concerns (I did hear her roommate calling out myself...someone did eventually come in, but that's another story), we talked about redirecting her energies to caring for herself, and talked about how it is not her responsibility to care for the other patients there, however nice of her that may be. I know it must be difficult for her because she is right there and privy to the goings on of her roommate, and hearing someone suffering without being able to help is not a good feeling. I just don't want her getting so upset when she shouldn't have to be responsible for that.
Anyway, after that debacle we worked on her Speech Therapy homework some more, and though it was difficult, we got through most of it. Then we just hung out and chatted before I left...she had dinner down in the Bistro again tonight, which she enjoyed. I just came home and watched a movie..."A Mighty Heart"...which was pretty good but not so uplifting. Am off to bed now...hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. Peace.
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