TAKE REST - THIS IS A FORWARD FROM SOMEONE - VERY SENSIBLE - DO NOT KNOW WHO AUTHORED IT

 We had lived through the experience when Ammachi fell ill. 

It was covid time. It was the most difficult time in our lives. The people at the admission counter were rude. We felt they were finding fault with us for bringing Covid to the world.

Once we succeeded in getting over with the long admission process, Ammachi was wheeled straightaway into the ICU. They brusquely told us one bystander alone was permitted. Leaving her daughter there at the lounge, we stood waiting at the courtyard in front of the hospital

After a few days Ammachi was shifted from the ICU to the Payward.

Here the doctors are regimental. Pulmonologist looks after the lungs. Cardiologist looks after the heart. And if we have any complaints apart from their field of specialisation they refer the patient to the appropriate specialist.

Each one would visit and prescribe medicine. The poor invalid bears the brunt of the onslaught of all the specialists. And the medicines. The cost rockets

Two weeks later, the Pulmonologist said the patient would be discharged on that day. 

The patient found herself unable to stand and walk. Two weeks on the bed had weakened her muscles. 

Instead of referring the patient to a physiotherapist at the initial stage, the pulmonologist brought in the specialist when matters went out of hand. 

The patient was looked after well at home. But she remained bedridden. It took a few weeks for her to bid us 'au revoir'

We learned the hard lesson, 'specialisation is harmful' for the sick and the disabled.

TAKE REST - THIS IS A FORWARD FROM SOMEONE WHO IS VERY SENSIBLE

 Realities of Life!

"Take Rest"  

In old age, if a person remains bedridden for a long time and their children keep saying only "Take rest... don't hurry...", that's often where the most dangerous situation begins.

"For an elderly person, lying in bed is easy; but getting up again is extremely difficult. Many times, the illness doesn't kill a person, the bed does."

I am Dr. Song Yuanming, age 54 years.

For the last 27 years, I've been working in the Geriatrics (Old Age Medicine) department of a renowned hospital.

During this time I've treated over 16,000 patients and written more than 2,400 critical condition certificates.

Today I won't use medical terminology. I'll just share three true incidents that happened before my eyes.

All three stories are extremely important for everyone's parents.

First Incident (2019 – Autumn)

Patient: 81-year-old retired teacher Mr. Sun

He had a femoral neck fracture.

Surgery was successful.

On the third day, the doctor said,  

"Start trying to walk with the help of a walker."

But his son said,  

"Dad is so old... what if he falls again? Let him rest."

In the last 27 years, I've heard the words "take rest" at least 500 times.  

And every time I got goosebumps.  

Because for someone over 80, these three words often lead to death.

Mr. Sun listened to his son.  

He stayed in bed.

- Day 7 – Cough started.

- Day 12 – 38.7° fever; CT showed Hypostatic Pneumonia in lungs.

- Day 18 – Admitted to ICU.

- Day 23 – Passed away.

He did not die from the fracture.  

Nor from surgical complications.  

But from pneumonia caused by prolonged bed rest.

The bone healed...  

But the lungs failed because of the bed.

Second Incident (January 2021)

Patient: 78-year-old stroke patient – Mr. Li

After ten days his condition stabilized.

I told his daughter,  

"Now the most important thing is rehabilitation."

- Sit him up at least twice a day.

- 30 minutes each time.

- If possible, make him stand.

- Walk him a little.

The daughter was very devoted.  

She hired a 24-hour caretaker.  

Food, medicines, bath, diapers...  

Everything was perfect.

But one thing didn't happen...  

He was never moved.

She was scared—  

It will hurt...  

He'll get tired...  

He'll fall...

When the caretaker tried to sit him up, she'd say—  

"Don't force him... let him rest."

Three months later...  

His other leg also became non-functional.

This was not a second stroke.  

It was Muscle Atrophy (rapid weakening of muscles).

With prolonged bed rest—  

- 1.5 to 3% of muscle is lost every week.

- Nearly 40% muscle is lost in three months.

Result—  

Hemiplegia → Complete paralysis  

"Can still stand" 

Later. 

"Will never be able to stand again."

He lived for another 14 months.  

During this time he developed three bedsores.  

The largest wound was so deep that the bone was visible.  

While dressing, he would grip the towel tightly to bear the pain...  

Tears would flow from his eyes.

Every time the daughter would cry and say—  

"Dad... take rest..."

These words...  

The softest...  

But proved to be the cruelest.

Third Incident (2023)

Patient: 83-year-old Mr. Zhao  

Had hip replacement surgery.

His son was an engineer.  

On the second day he came to me with a notebook.  

"Doctor, please write a 7-day rehab program."

I made a plan—  

- Day 1 – Ankle exercises (20 times every hour)

- Day 2 – Leg raises (10 × 4)

- Day 3 – Stand for 2 minutes with walker

- Day 5 – Walk 10 steps (4 times)

- Day 7 – Walk 8 meters

Did he feel pain?  

Yes.  

On the third day while standing, there was sweat on his forehead...  

His lips had turned white.

But his son did not say—  

"Take rest."

He just said—  

"Dad... just stand for 30 seconds... I've set the timer."

Just 30 seconds...  

He clenched his teeth and completed it.  

And those 30 seconds became the most effective medicine of his life.

On the 14th day...  

He walked out of the ward on his own feet.  

Slowly...  

But on his own feet.

Among 184 patients that year, his recovery was the best.

5 Lessons Learned from 27 Years of Experience

1. Staying in bed for more than two weeks = rapid muscle loss.  

   Bed is not rest...  

   It can be the beginning of destruction.

2. The first 72 hours are the 'Golden Period'.  

   Whether movement starts in this time or not decides the rest of life.

3. The three most dangerous things  

   - Pneumonia  

   - Blood Clots  

   - Bedsores  

   These often prove more fatal than the original illness.

4. Wrong kind of service  

   Doing every single task for the patient...  

   Can make them more disabled.

5. True service means...  

   Trying to get them back on their feet.  

   Even if you have to be a little strict for it sometimes.

Final Message

I was asked—  

"What are you most afraid of?"

I replied—  

"I'm not afraid of serious illness."  

"I'm afraid when someone says— 'Take rest.'"  

Because in that moment...  

The will to try is already gone.

I've told my family too—  

"If I'm ever bedridden... never tell me 'take rest.'"  

"Wake me up... make me walk... set a timer... and say—  

'Dad... just 30 more seconds!'"

For All of Us

May God ensure such a time never comes for our parents.  

But if it does—  

Don't say "take rest".  

Say "I'll help you stand up."

Maybe those 30 seconds...  

Could change their entire life.

Because...  

Walking to the toilet on your own feet—  

Is the most precious freedom in old age.

Preserve it... starting today.