Upstairs/downstairs

The before/after contrast is a great sermon device, fitting many Scripture narratives and key salvation theology - from darkness to light! Unfortunately, it can work the other way round. Carol's aim when eventually discharged from hospital was to climb the stairs and sink into her own bed. Buoyed by liberation, we entered the front door and on the first step she fell heavily.  A neighbour helped me right her. In that single moment it dawned on me how everything had changed. When the promised carer arrived he said we should make a second attempt upwards. Same disastrous result. And so began the 'after' saga. 

Downstairs is one through-room stretching from the hallway to garden doors. Everywhere bears Carols' design style.  A bed is not in that design! Now four sets of carers in pairs visit every day to wash, dress and care for  her. I have been cast into a full-time carer's career of watchfulness and service, made all the more heroic by the return of her UTI.  Because Carol can easily fall, and did a couple of nights ago leading to 3 and a half hours on the floor before the ambulance came, her restless nights are filled with too many awful possibilities. Each of the many times loo stops are required she is supposed to cry out to me upstairs. She should never attempt to get out of bed without support.  

Within the downstairs strains, the love and prayers of friends have been sustaining. And imaginative. My church Life Group clubbed together to purchase an upmarket baby alarm. Its night vision allows me to view a screen by my bed so that I can picture impending disaster downstairs in time to prevent another fall.  Two church friends brought down Carol's own bed from upstairs and then one of them connected the baby monitor. That's Christian concern in full flow action.  I am so grateful for the upstairs/downstairs connection.