Hate With Every Fiber

Hello, Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here!

“Are you new?”

Those were the first words I heard from a brand new contract worker who does the Covid tests. He may have had a month or two of experience, but I wouldn’t know.

I looked around at all the unfamiliar faces. “No sir, just been gone awhile.”

There has been a lot of turnover and a couple months of any training has merit at this point.

Whether they just need a warm body to fill a roster is irrelevant; my return to work was one of unexpected support, which I am thankful for.

My schedule is completely accommodated and everyone has been amazing.

……I will be right back. Claire, our rat wants some tater tot casserole.

… Ok, I am back.

Isabel, my Beloved, went to the occupational therapist yesterday and found that she has some very slight movement in her left bicep and forearm. That is spectacular news!

As she progresses, there are tools she will need that can greatly assist. One is the Saebo Glove.

This device provides the fingers and wrist the support it needs to pick up objects and do things like open cabinets.

There are other tools as well, but the most important seems to be the desire to get better.

Last year, we patched up a duck that had her leg ripped nearly off and her back laid bare by a dog and I considered sending her to the Great Pond in the sky.

Her desire to live was strong and she was in a homemade Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) for a long time. We made her hobble to her food and water and eventually made her walk to bed.

We didn’t want anything to atrophy so a couple times a week I caught her and did full range of motion repetitions. This caused the duck a great deal of pain and her overall body temperature rose when I did it.

She is fine now, and the only way I can tell her from the others most days is that she hates every fiber of my being. In her ducky memory, I think she forgot about the dog as the bad actor and redirected towards me, the urban farming physical therapist.

Isabel’s desire to improve is high and we have an Advocate we can talk to. Hopefully, my Beloved wont hate every fiber of my being when this is all said and done.

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a husband, father, correctional professional and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire.

35 thoughts on “Hate With Every Fiber

        1. Benjamin says:

          I think you are right. She lays eggs and I feed her. we will stick to a transactional relationship then.

          Reply
          1. Benjamin says:

            Absolutely! At a dollar a pop here, Duck eggs have barter value.

  1. Thattamma C.G Menon says:

    So happy to hear that she can slowly move her hands and legs , got the sensation 🌷🙏👌
    Nicely improving 👏😊 grace wishes and Happy weekend 🌷🙏🌷

    Reply
  2. Dawn Pisturino says:

    I always wonder if I would have the same determination to get well and live if I were in that situation. I admire her spunk.

    Reply
  3. cheriewhite says:

    Awesome post, Ben! And she won’t hate you, she’ll thank you for your help in her progression. I can almost guarantee it. 😊

    Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      Thank You! I was told that my ducky would forget her physical therapy after a while as well!

      Reply
      1. cheriewhite says:

        Ahh, yes. She’ll get so good she won’t even have to think about it, it’ll come naturally. 😊

        Reply
  4. Angie says:

    So happy to hear she is improving! Fantastic news 🙂
    And I’m sorry your duck hates you but I have faith it won’t hate you forever…hopefully 😉

    Reply
  5. Ryan Callahan says:

    I remember those posts about your duck. 😊 Glad she is better. Great to hear your wife is regaining strength and movement! Continued prayers for healing and blessing. God bless you all!

    Reply
  6. Michelle says:

    So glad to hear your wife is doing better! That’s great news! I am sorry, however, that your duck hates you. I’m sure it won’t last. 😀

    Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      I am glad my Beloved is progressing! I do hope the Ducky realizes the Blessings By Me!

      Reply
  7. Sam "Goldie" Kirk says:

    Good to hear the good news. I hope she keeps at it.
    It definitely is a fine line when it comes to you pushing her. Been there, done that. Hopefully she is motivated enough herself and takes your encouragement the right way.

    Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      I think she is very self motivated and my return to work has been a significant chance for her to shine on her own.

      Reply
  8. KT Workman says:

    The way you have supported your Beloved, she will love you even more. The duck…no…lol.

    Reply
  9. Petra says:

    I’m sure your Beloved has a much higher iq than the duck, so I think you’ll be spared the hate 😉

    Reply

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