Loveday Writing

MY MOTHER MY NURSE (AND BRIEFLY MY PATIENT)

My wonderful mother, Jennifer has nursed me through many illnesses: colds, flus, infections, 24-hour bugs and has also kissed many wounds to make them better throughout my childhood. Even though I’m 23 now, she still is my nurse on some occasions, the most recent being when I had my foot operated on almost six months ago.

I had the opportunity and the pleasure to return the favour twice when she had her knees operated on in 2008 and 2010. Conveniently for the both of us at the times I was completing my final HSC exams and was on uni holidays respectively. When she had her first knee operation, it was the first time that I had to look after her and not the other way around, it was actually the first time I had to look after anyone.

I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy, not because she made it hard on me, it was because I wasn’t sure how to look after her. I would help her out of her chair and her bed, help her to the bathroom, make her meals and keep her company. During the first operation, we bonded over a funny TV show on Austar that we both loved. It also wasn’t easy because I had to go to exams and I only had my Learner’s permit at the time, and it was hard leaving her alone, plus I couldn’t drive her anywhere so she wasn’t stuck in the house all of the time. With her second operation I was a bit more helpful in that area because I got my green P’s.

It also wasn’t easy because I didn’t realise how hard it is to look after someone, not that I minded, but I did grow an appreciation for all of the times she looked after me over the years. This was just two occasions, over the 18 years of my childhood, I was probably sick or struck down with something similar about 50 times. I don’t know how she did it. I know she did it because she’s my mother and loves me, but it wouldn’t have been easy for her.

And even though it wasn’t easy, I looked after because I love her too and I would return the favour over and over any day.