Tag: help

Whole Body Health

Donna Hutcherson

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man“ –Luke 2:52 NIV

Never has there been a time in our lives where the emphasis has been so strong on health. Contagions, hand washing, and compromised immune systems are a part of most conversations. For a caregiver, that has been the norm, the ever-present awareness of the health needs of our loved one or patient. If a caregiver also has a compromised immune system, the need is more than doubled. If the one needing care is highly impaired and totally dependent on the caregiver, health awareness peaks.

Humans are integrated beings, created in the image of God – divine design, as Dale used to teach. Psalm 139 reminds us that He formed our inward parts and has many precious thoughts toward us.

When Dale needed to be restored to total health and I needed to maintain my health in order to help him, it quickly became apparent that even with hospital care/help, I had to deal with health-sapping stress, overwhelming concerns, lack of good rest, etc. Since the Word notes that Jesus grew in four areas (His whole being), we implemented that Scriptural approach to health – considering our entire being, not just the area with damage or obvious need. With the advice and support of my family/counsel, we focused on: wisdom (mental), stature (physical), favor with God (spiritual) and favor with man (social).

I will detail each of the following areas in future posts, however I encourage you to address each of them as soon as possible…for your well-being:

  • sound sleep
  • best food choices
  • fresh air and sunshine
  • exercise/movement/touch
  • prayer and encouragement from the Word of God
  • music
  • humor

Holy Spirit, we need Your guidance to care for these bodies You created, no matter the circumstance we are in. Help us to discern what is best for our lives no matter the circumstance in which we find ourselves. (John 14:26-7 NIV)

SONG LINK:
Caleb & Kelsey “It is Well with My Soul”
https://youtu.be/VaxxtIxXKF0

“Nagatives”

Donna Hutcherson

“ I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth” -PSALM 121:1-2 NIV

In the midst of “normal“ living, thoughts we don’t want to have will intrude upon our minds, often at the most opportune times. Melancholy, fear, disappointment, anger, loneliness, sorrow – negative thoughts – which, left unchecked, would bring us down, mentally and emotionally at first, and physically if we allow them to rule. Often coming in a barrage, these “nagatives” tend to worm their way into our consciousness, trying to grab us by their repetition.

Once you recognize this attack on your mind, it is wise to start your own counterattack with truth – simple and forthright statements that you can repeat at will. “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 42:6) gives us direction to quiet ourselves and recognize Who really is in control. Your situation- or that of world events- is NO SURPRISE to God. And He will give you direction if you will only quiet yourself enough to listen. That takes PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. How do you conquer the “mountain” in front of you? One step at a time. Practice listening for the details of that next step. I can’t help thinking that if I were blind, or in the darkness of night in a strange place, that I would listen VERY carefully to the one guiding me through that darkness. We need to practice listening for God’s direction, no matter how or through whom He sends it.

During my study of the brain after Dale’s stroke, I recalled a short and simple video by Dr. Phil Parker that we both had seen on NEUROPLASTICITY, the ability for the brain to change itself. This truth was key in helping Dale to develop new neural pathways, yet we had first learned of it in regard to changing our personal habits. I’ve included a link to this 90-second video below and suggest you watch it. You will be encouraged that you can change your thinking habits and overcome the “nagatives” that you face.

https://youtu.be/tJ93qXXYRpU

Steps to changing your thinking habits:

  • Recognize nagatives.
  • Quiet yourself.
  • Speak aloud simple truths.
  • Listen for the next step.
  • Take that next step.
  • Practice, practice, practice

Get help if needed. You are not alone. Oftentimes we need the support and encouragement of others just to take that next step. Know who’s on your team and ask for help.

Thank you, Father for Your plans for us and for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:26 ESV)

Casting Crowns “Voice of Truth”
https://youtu.be/enxca57LiVU

Intensive Care (ICU)

Donna Hutcherson

Beloved, let us love one another -I John 4:7 NIV

Having just been made aware of someone in ICU due to several strokes, I wrote them my offer of experience and help. In doing so, it was evident that others would benefit from this information. Glad to share:) I remember those first weeks of learning new medical terminology and how much there was to remember. Most of all right now a patient advocate – spouse, family member, friend – is needed to be the extra set of eyes/ears. Doctors and nurses and staff will come and go, but the advocate will remain the constant, the one who know the patient best, can see the overview as people and medications and therapies and needs change, and speak up on behalf of the patient.

FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION:

-Keep your eyes on the Lord; the situation you in which you find yourself is no surprise to Him
    –Slow down and keep things simple – waiting on God for the next step and accepting His peace as you do
    -Keep up with your support system – family, church, friends – so they know how to help/pray. I suggest Caring Bridge (Recommended Sites at right) – the best and simplest way to share info to anyone you want without having to talk too much and field calls/questions.
    -That being said, both patient and advocate need REST – both to survive this and to heal/recover.  The best info I received about rest is that 70% of our brain stimulation comes through the eyes – light and sight. If we COVER our eyes, we then only use 30% of our brain energy and get the best rest.  My husband Dale and I used to keep eye masks handy and put one on regularly, even for 5 minutes, for a “brain break”. Most helpful!
   –Receive help. Simple to state but often not so easy to do. When someone asks how they can help you, have a list ready: sit with patient for 20-30 so advocate can walk about, go outside for fresh air and sunshine(courtyard is wonderful), etc; bring dinner/coffee; do laundry; run errands. Just say YES. There is a time to give and a time to receive. It’s God way of ministering one to another.
    -Find ways to laugh – add humor, tell jokes, watch funny shows, cat videos are a favorite for many!
    -Remember the ministry of touch – hold hands, light massage, comforting pats, skin-to-skin is SO helpful.
    –Fresh air and sunshine for both of you when it is possible to go the the atrium or courtyard
    -Best food for brain healing is fresh food. For a simple, healthy and quick meal supplement, our favorite and healthiest shake, although not fresh food, available even at Publix is ORGAIN – even comes in chocolate! Prepackaged shakes and powder to make your own and mix with other things when you want.
    –Keep a notebook – don’t trust your memory. Write everything down: questions, lists, suggestions, to-do’s, medicines, doctor/staff names   – -Just be present – that’s the best gift, not to be alone in this.

Thank you, Father, for care and caregivers, medical staff and their knowledge, safe and clean hospitals and for Your healing Presence (I am with you always…Matthew 28:20 NIV)

SONG LINK:
Michael W. Smith “I Will Be Here for You”
https://youtu.be/bxGmsh1VuxA

I need ANSWERS

Donna Hutcherson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” -Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

The only way in which we humans can fully function in a healthy manner under the extreme stress that a caregiver faces daily is by God’s guidance. And He graciously, lovingly shows us the way step by step. Our part is to slow down enough to listen for the answers, His answers.

It’s a matter of trust. I trust God – the Creator, Designer of our bodies and ALL-knowing God. We can trust in other people, in diagnoses, in theories, in any THING in the world, yet when those fail…then there is God. It certainly makes sense to go to Him first, but this will only become our habit as we practice doing so. Jesus/Yeshua IS the Answer – He not only has the answer, HE is the answer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yes, each answer we need will be there at the right time. It’s often not as fast as we’d like, especially in this culture of instant contact and getting whatever we want whenever we want it. And, God’s answers are often not what we want to hear or what we would think, however, He is God; we are not. When you’re looking for your next answer, listen, trust and obey, even in the simple things. Your answer will be there at the right time just as we need, one step at a time.

Excerpt from my Caring Bridge journal 10-04-14 “Only God knows the outcome and His presence, leading and wisdom have been evident to me. I am blessed that (when Dale had the massive stroke) he wasn’t driving, wasn’t alone, that our new insurance was in place, and that his complete medical history was updated that morning and was with us. I trust Him to lead my steps and will follow one step at a time.”

Lord, You who taught us to pray “Give us this day our daily bread”, I thank you in advance for Your answer to my need/s this day. (Matthew 9-13)

SONG LINK:
Evie “Give Them All to Jesus”
https://youtu.be/6k5DKcmKAwI

First Things First

Donna Hutcherson
His mercies are new every morning…

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 7:12 NIV

in considering options for my first post, the foundational aspect of caregiving became the obvious choice – treating others as you would like to be treated. I learned the Golden Rule at a young age, later understanding that it was taught by Jesus/Yeshua as a fundamental premise for all actions. Gratefully, as I worked in the business world for several decades, nearly each day gave me opportunities to practice making decisions based on this central Truth until it became my “go-to”, my natural response, the discipline of my thought life. As the bottom line for decision-making, this premise bring simplicity to complicated matters, puts personal emotion (and possible affronts) aside, and focuses on the response needed to move things forward.

Living by that principle, decisions became simpler, but not necessarily easier. Emotions surface quickly. Thankfully, by recognizing that God made us with emotions, I learned to trust Him to guide me through the hard times. I am a helper, NOT a nurse, not a medical mind. My husband Dale always had that perspective, knew the body well and taught about it with excellence (even enjoying cadaver work in college). I turn away from the sight of blood, even on TV. Although I grew up with 5 younger siblings, babysat for extra money, loved caring full-time for my own young children, and had the flexibility of schedule to help family and friends when they needed care, I was out of my element when faced with the life and death needs of my dear husband as he was incapacitated by a massive stroke event.

I needed help.

Thankfully, I had come to know God’s peace which became my mainstay from the very start of this new journey. I quickly realized that God had gone before me, preparing me in ways I couldn’t have planned myself – a new iPad dashboard holder helped with GPS needs when alone in a unfamiliar territory at 10PM to meet Dale’s medflight, personal experience in asking probing questions, and even having a copy of Dale’s baseline MRI with us (certainly not on my vacation packing list)! Recognizing these blessings in the first few hours after he stroked undergirded my confidence to make the next decision. Help arrived in timely fashion with knowledgeable and caring doctors, family/friends arriving to help, and the technology available to research needs via cell phone/internet.

But that was just the tip of an iceberg. I knew relatively nothing about stroke, brain trauma, neuro rehab, or how to handle insurance…or where to turn for help. Over the next four months, and then the next four years, that was my full-time job: caring for Dale and researching/learning everything that would benefit his recovery and well-being.

This blog is a result of what I’ve learned over those four years – things that were not readily accessible to me at the outset. I’ll post as regularly as I can in order to cover nearly a hundred topics as well as resources that will assist you as you search for answers. My prayer is that this life experience will help you now as you care for others – spouse, parent, child, loved one, friend, or client, and whether they are incapacitated, ill, addicted, depressed, or fallen on hard times. I pray blessings of peace and wisdom and strength and love and rest in the name of Jesus/Yeshua as you care for them.

Father, Your goodness amazes me, how you go before us and are always with us. Help me to live in that awareness, rest in Your love, listen for Your voice and discern Your answers. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

SONG LINK:
Twila Paris “God is in Control”
https://youtu.be/r6Eiv1r5UnE