From the Shrink's Desk
June, 2006 - "Palozza Parties and Caregiver Tees"
A friend of ours is having knee replacement surgery in the next month. She is a woman of unassailable spirit and verve, and she somehow rises to every occasion. She ordered “Mom’s Pit Crew” tee shirts to give her children when they flew in to take care of her during her recovery after the surgery. This prompted me to think of the important spiritual and physical web of survival that exists between us and our caregivers when we are ill. There is no way to acknowledge or thank them enough, and yet we often have trouble finding the ways. This 'Indomitable Woman' thought to order ahead of time – and I suspect she will have them to present to her devoted children the minute they show up in the hospital room. Taking care of the caregivers – how perfect!
When I had thyroid surgery last year, I was quite apprehensive. Even though I am married to a physician, I had a number of fears and worries – some rational and some not-so-much. That’s how we all are. My friends gave me a pre-surgery "thyroid-a-palooza." There were lots of little “bring to the hospital” or “while you are recuperating” gifts like slippers and videos, lotions and affirmation tapes. But my favorite was the cake – topped with a Synthroid pill bottle (the medication I would be taking the rest of my natural life). What is it about simple gestures like this? They say – we can accept what’s going on with you. You are not “out there” on the fringe. We can tease you, joke, and celebrate getting through this.
Just like the Pit Crew tee shirts.
Showing each other the way to get through.
Who do you need to throw a send-off party for?
--Diane Fisher, PhD
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