In Sickness and in Health

I received a call from my mom yesterday morning. My uncle had a stroke. Her call came admist me feeling uneasy ever since I woke up that morning. I hated that word, stroke. My grandmother had a stroke that made her bedridden and unable to speak. My first uncle's left him wheelchair bound. My dad had a stroke 4 years ago and what followed was probably the most trying and difficult time of my life. It was life altering, affecting the entire household and our quality of life. I do not wish to have that coming upon others especially upon other family members.

My mom's call yesterday morning came barely 2 months after an earlier call telling me that another uncle had a heart attack. It was too early, too soon.

I visited my uncle at the hospital immediately. Ironically, he was warded in the same room as my dad 4 years ago. After the visit, I felt really down the entire day. I knew what my uncle's family had to go through hereafter. Rehab therapy will be a slow and painful journey. Uncomfortable life changes have to be made. Caregivers will be undergoing very stressful times. Patience and love will be tested.
However during my visit, I realized something good. My aunt and cousins have the composure to provide emotional support, the optimism to provide stabilty, the dedication and love to make sacrifices and the sense of humour to maintain sanity out of everything. These are the qualities needed to pull things together for him to have a good recovery. Qualities that my own family managed to pull from deep within us during my dad's stroke.

And I take comfort from there that my uncle's family will pass this test with flying colours.....just like mine did.