We've Gone Public!

[Spem in alium]

16 hours ago, Antigonos said:

One of the very first things we learned in nursing school was the great importance of non-verbal communication.  I'm sure the connection, however tenuous or brief, was of value to him.

Thank you! That's reassuring for me. I try to be as aware as I can be of his comfort, and what sort of things make him uncomfortable. Maybe me putting my hand on top of his was something he didn't like (I don't usually do that with residents; I learned to let them take your hand rather than you take theirs, as it gives them more freedom to let go if they want to), or maybe he just wanted to be the one holding my hand.  

I feel more and more drawn to being with residents who cannot consciously offer me something, who can't thank me. I see it as a way of challenging my pride and of becoming more aware of how often I want to be appreciated. When you do something for someone who can't show appreciation or who can never repay you I think that brings true joy. As much as I love all the residents I visit, I find so much meaning in visiting people like this man, whom my instinct would tell me *not* to visit because he can't speak.

[Antigonos]

He may actually need touch and other signs of being recognized as "being there" more than others who can verbally communicate their needs and desires.  He may well feel abandoned in his isolation.  You can never know.  You might try reading to him, something short and pleasant, like a poem, or tell him about some pleasant thing that's happened recently.  He may not be capable of responding, but he may hear you.  People who have emerged from vegetative states have reported hearing everything said around them when "comatose".

Edited November 17, 2016 by Antigonos

[Spem in alium]

12 hours ago, Antigonos said:

He may actually need touch and other signs of being recognized as "being there" more than others who can verbally communicate their needs and desires.  He may well feel abandoned in his isolation.  You can never know.  You might try reading to him, something short and pleasant, like a poem, or tell him about some pleasant thing that's happened recently.  He may not be capable of responding, but he may hear you.  People who have emerged from vegetative states have reported hearing everything said around them when "comatose".

Those are great ideas. It's really easy to assure that he can't understand or comprehend because he can't communicate verbally. Sometimes I've told him what I've been doing but I wonder if that's really interesting for him!  All I really know about him is that he was a doctor and that a lady used to visit him - I'm not too sure what happened. He does have some nice photos of his family and a big picture of Our Lady of Fatima. Maybe I could read something about her.

[Spem in alium]

My retreat was marvellous. The experience of God which I had was incredibly powerful. It was certainly one of the best experiences of my life. 

And now back to work and regular schedule! We are having a Thanksgiving celebration in our house because two of our sisters are American-born and one lived in America for a time. Turkey is on the menu! Will be thinking of all of you who celebrate too.  

[Spem in alium]

So, my life story (health-related, but with a small segment on my journey with the sisters) was published in a national newspaper yesterday. It was a huge surprise actually (I knew it would be published, but not when) --- even more amazing has been the response.

 

[Spem in alium]

Had a particularly cute phone call with my grandfather which went something like this:

Grandfather: I suppose you want to talk to your excellent Nanna (grandmother)?
Me: Yes, if she is there!
Him: Ok, hold on, I'll put her on the phone...well, not on the phone exactly...I just need to take the phone to her because I'm in the study...I'm going now...Hold on...I'm moving very slowly because I'm an old man...Why are you laughing, it's true (I was laughing a lot)...Hold on...

 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, Spem in alium said:

So, my life story (health-related, but with a small segment on my journey with the sisters) was published in a national newspaper yesterday. It was a huge surprise actually (I knew it would be published, but not when) --- even more amazing has been the response.

 

Is there a link please?  

2 hours ago, Spem in alium said:

Had a particularly cute phone call with my grandfather which went something like this:

Grandfather: I suppose you want to talk to your excellent Nanna (grandmother)?
Me: Yes, if she is there!
Him: Ok, hold on, I'll put her on the phone...well, not on the phone exactly...I just need to take the phone to her because I'm in the study...I'm going now...Hold on...I'm moving very slowly because I'm an old man...Why are you laughing, it's true (I was laughing a lot)...Hold on...

 

I am laughing too - your grandfather has a great sense of humour.

[Jarrah]

9 hours ago, Spem in alium said:

So, my life story (health-related, but with a small segment on my journey with the sisters) was published in a national newspaper yesterday. It was a huge surprise actually (I knew it would be published, but not when) --- even more amazing has been the response.

 

Hi Spem, I've been mostly lurking here for about 8 years so I feel I know you quite well!!  Got a big surprise yesterday when I opened the West Australian "Sunday Times" newspaper and recognised you immediately.  You got a full page spread here too!  I thought it was a lovely article with nice photos.  Congratulations and keep up the good work!

[Spem in alium]

6 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

Is there a link please?  

I am laughing too - your grandfather has a great sense of humour.

Will PM you.

5 hours ago, Jarrah said:

Hi Spem, I've been mostly lurking here for about 8 years so I feel I know you quite well!!  Got a big surprise yesterday when I opened the West Australian "Sunday Times" newspaper and recognised you immediately.  You got a full page spread here too!  I thought it was a lovely article with nice photos.  Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Thank you so much, Jarrah! It was nice to do and I also liked the photos they included. It's had a pretty amazing response which has been truly mind-blowing! 

[Feankie]

Spem, I found the article!!!!! I'm pretty good at finding things if I put my mind to it.   Now I can finally put a face on your name :)))   And now I will "up the ante" with my prayers for your application, medical appts, tests, your dear family and Sisters.

[NadaTeTurbe]

I just read the article ! That was very inspiring, and nice picture with Pope Francis  

Also, I think it's very cool that they interviewed a nun but not about being a nun, you know, it shows that nuns are normal people. 

[Spem in alium]

7 hours ago, Francis Clare said:

Spem, I found the article!!!!! I'm pretty good at finding things if I put my mind to it.   Now I can finally put a face on your name :)))   And now I will "up the ante" with my prayers for your application, medical appts, tests, your dear family and Sisters.

Haha, you're sneaky  You are so kind. Thank you. Know you're in my prayers also!

6 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said:

I just read the article ! That was very inspiring, and nice picture with Pope Francis  

Also, I think it's very cool that they interviewed a nun but not about being a nun, you know, it shows that nuns are normal people. 

Thank you! Yes, he's very photogenic but didn't say much to me  

It was really good for me too. I did an interview last year about my vocation (for a Catholic paper) so that was very focused on spirituality, God, etc. For this one, I really wanted it to be about me as an ordinary person who happens to have a health condition and who also happens to be a sister. This article reached a lot more people (the Catholic paper is diocesan only) and so I thought that's what people would appreciate. In my view it came across that way and I'm really pleased.

14 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

I am laughing too - your grandfather has a great sense of humour.

He actually didn't sound well when I spoke with him; very tired, and when I asked how he was he said something like "I'm going down, and very badly". He didn't say much more than that and I was tempted to ask my grandmother but didn't want to intrude on their privacy. My dad has mentioned a couple of times that he's becoming forgetful, withdrawn, fatigued, and dwelling on past issues which he'd managed to overcome. Maybe it is the beginning of the final stage of his earthly life.

[Pax17]

I also found and read the article online.  I know that in addition to educating us about this medical condition, your story has been a comfort and inspiration to someone, somewhere.  Thank you, Spem.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Spem in alium said:

 

Spem in alium said:  He actually didn't sound well when I spoke with him; very tired, and when I asked how he was he said something like "I'm going down, and very badly". He didn't say much more than that and I was tempted to ask my grandmother but didn't want to intrude on their privacy. My dad has mentioned a couple of times that he's becoming forgetful, withdrawn, fatigued, and dwelling on past issues which he'd managed to overcome. Maybe it is the beginning of the final stage of his earthly life.

Sorry to read the above, I will keep your grandparents in prayer too, especially with St. Joseph.

 

[Spem in alium]

16 hours ago, Pax17 said:

I also found and read the article online.  I know that in addition to educating us about this medical condition, your story has been a comfort and inspiration to someone, somewhere.  Thank you, Spem.

Thank you so much, Pax. A lot of people have been saying to me that they found it inspirational, that I inspire them, etc. I find it hard to see myself as inspiring, as I'm really very ordinary, but at the same time it's nice for me to know that my story has meant something to someone. I think the main thing I want to show people through it is that even if we have problems we think are so huge and can't be overcome, they don't have to stop us from being happy and living a full life. I'll always have problems in some way or another, but I'm just thankful that I am able to take them with positivity and gratefulness. Life is such a gift, in whatever way it comes.

14 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

Sorry to read the above, I will keep your grandparents in prayer too, especially with St. Joseph.

 

Thank you! St Joseph is my grandfather's patron, and he means a lot to me too, so he's definitely a good person to ask for prayer.

 

[Spem in alium]

Convent quotes.

Sr A (discussing our leader's Christmas wishes mailout): You know, you could always just use a list of important words in your wishes. 'Dear friends, peace, Jesus is born, you know what it's all about."
Sr B: Or you could hide your wishes in a find-a-word! (this generated a lot of fun discussion about how provincial could not send a puzzle to our archbishop).
 

Sr C (who is our leader and soon to be transferred to another house): 2016 is ending, then it will be 2017, and then 2018 if God's will.
Sr D: Not for me.
All of us: What do you mean?
Sr D: I will die next year.
Sr C: I hope you've talked to your boss! I said that there will be no more deaths in my term so you have to wait!
Sr D: Well, you are leaving, so why should I stay?

 

[Guest]

[Spem in alium]

One of my sisters was taken to hospital yesterday and had to be admitted. Please pray for her...and for us. There's always a change in the air when someone is away, for whatever reason, and it's not always a happy feeling.

I have my psychological test today! So excited to get it done.         

Edited December 1, 2016 by Spem in alium

[Spem in alium]

Sister is still in hospital, but we have been told she is not in any pain.

The first part of the psych test went well! The psychologist initially said it would be longer, but because it was an afternoon session and so hot here (100F) she gave me less to do on the first session. It took the form of a little interview (just about my history, my health, my life with the sisters, etc.) and then a 300-question true/false test  She told me that this written test is the longest out of all of them, so I'm glad to have it done!

[Spem in alium]

On ‎3‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 5:52 AM, Spem in alium said:

Sister is still in hospital, but we have been told she is not in any pain.

Sister has cancer. She is very weak and is now using a walking frame which I know is a personal struggle for her. Please pray for her.

This week I am busy making some goodies for a big celebration this weekend. I have made some blank greeting cards and I will cook some savoury muffins. I also have the second part of my psych test tomorrow -- and I am meeting my sister for lunch/coffee! We haven't seen each other in roughly four months.