Community

Neil has been in hospital for almost 2 weeks now. It feels like a lot longer!

He doesn't have a specific discharge plan as yet, but there is just over a week until our scheduled holiday with my family. The girls and I are going, and hopefully Neil will be out in time to come with us. Otherwise I'm sure he'll be discharged by the time we get back.

The first four or five days were particularly hard. Partly from a practical point of view, but predominantly emotionally. I was concerned about Neil (he has depression), upset myself about some of the circumstances, and dealing with the girl's reactions. They were very clingy, panicked if I was out of eyesight even briefly, and much more difficult in behaviour.

Thankfully, things have improved since then. I can sometimes even go to the toilet or have a shower on my own (hooray for the TV and DVD player)! We have all settled into a bit of a routine, and although it is very tiring and hard work, I'm feeling quite confident that we can manage.

A lot of that confidence comes from the support I have received from a whole range of different people:

• The cleaning lady has stayed an extra half an hour each week without charge, and helped with the laundry. Today she even disposed of a dead rat in the drive!
• A couple of people from church have given me food, and another dropped in to visit. 
• My friend Nicole has come each Sunday afternoon bearing a delicious dinner, to play with the girls, help me take the rubbish out and do other jobs, and just generally be here. 
• My friends Lydia and her husband Wayne have looked after the girls twice - once while I took Neil to the hospital, and another night so I could visit him on my own.
• Two mums from the street introduced themselves and invited me to bring the girls to a play date last Friday afternoon.
• A number of my work colleagues have been cooking dishes and bringing them in for me. I haven't really had to cook much at all!

It is quite humbling and comforting to realise I am a part of several different groups in the community, and to feel them reaching out and supporting me. I'm not on my own. Hopefully one day I can return the favour to someone else who needs it.