around. We have an aide who helps
the two of us in so many ways and
tries to keep us sane. This has truly
been a nightmare for us and our
families.
THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP
And then there were my friends
and extended family. Loving, caring,
always in contact and hoping
there was something they could
do to help. They are mothers,
grandmothers, mothers-in-law,
grandchildren, cousins and other
relatives, career women, teachers,
recently retired, many on
Medicare, most still driving, as
well as those taking car services.
They were all there for me when
I learned that I had COVID-19.
They were all there for me during
my five weeks in the hospital. All
there for me during my five weeks
in the rehabilitation facility. Some
even visited with me outdoors at
my daughter’s home.
When I was out of breath and
couldn’t talk or was too sick to be
reached, everyone made contact
with my daughters, my son or each
other to learn how I was on any
given day. When I felt a little better,
not only did they call and text
me regularly, but they also contacted
my children and grandchildren
almost daily to check on my condition.
My cell phone barely held
up to all the activity. I heard from
people whom I hadn’t had contact
with in months and years.
Always in touch was my dear
rabbi who provided ongoing support,
encouragement and advice to
all of us. He was and has always
been amazing—so medically
knowledgeable and there for me
and my family on an ongoing
basis. That’s who he is and I am
so grateful.
I have to say that throughout my
entire stay in the hospital, in the
rehab facility and at my daughter’s
home afterwards, I did a lot of crying.
The tears were of pain, sadness
and fearing the worst, but also tears
of happiness and joy. Very unusual
for me. I am not a crier. But the
human spirit is apparently resilient
and it made me feel better to cry—
again and again.
EPILOGUE
I wrote this story in mid-November.
Today is December 31,
2020, the last day of this strangest
year; I’m thinking about the
365 days that have just passed
and the many kinds of sadness
they held for me and for most of
our world.
But I am happy to report
that in these past few months
my health has considerably
improved. Although I continue to
lose more hair and I still get out
of breath when I walk too fast or
exert myself, my skin no longer
peels, my handwriting has started
to be legible, my leg moves on its
own, I still have my sense of taste
and smell that I hadn’t lost, my
memory is as it was before and
I’ve gained five pounds. On the
advice of my pulmonologist, I am
no longer using oxygen 24/7 but
only when I sleep. Currently, the
only purpose of my walker is to
carry packages. My car no longer
just sits in the garage waiting for
me since I am able to drive again.
At North Shore Towers, the
vendors in the arcade and the
staff in Building I, all of whom
are my friends, greeted me with
great joy when I returned home
in October. They have all been
such help to me and have shown
me considerable kindness. They
are so happy for me with every
improvement I have made. How
I’d like to give each of them a big
hug. Hopefully, I’ll be allowed to
do that soon.
My dear rabbi continues to call
on an ongoing basis and expresses
his concern and caring for my
husband and me. Every week, I
enjoy watching the synagogue’s
virtual Shabbat services and special
programming. It feels good to
have something on my calendar
other than doctors’ appointments
and physical therapy.
My friends and family continue
to contact me and I only wish we
could see each other and have a
meal together. We do talk regularly
on the phone; catching up
with old friends and relatives
who live elsewhere in the country
puts a smile on my face.
My husband and I have established
a new kind of life together.
It is our hope and prayer that
his ability to walk will improve
soon and the world will soon say
‘goodbye’ to COVID-19.
My children were right. I
remain a strong woman and not
one of the hundreds of thousands
of people who are listed daily
among the dead. I DIDN’T DIE.
Bye Bye Bystanders…
Hello Upstanders!
BY CAROL MEYERSON
A new club at North Shore Towers was
formed this past summer called the
Bystanders. It started with the idea
that we all were bystanders because of the
pandemic while the young people of America
were marching and being involved in trying to
make a difference in our national story.
As membership grew, so did our activities:
A Zoom discussion on the justice system
and the law
A tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the
flagpole
A Zoom with leadership of The Inn in
Hempstead regarding the need for clothes
for the homeless which led to a successful
Clothing Drive in which many people at the
Towers participated.
A Zoom by a representative from Regeneron
regarding the company’s development of the
anti-virus treatment of the virus.
An upcoming Food Drive is being planned
and our new Zoom will have as our speaker
Susan Berman from the Sid Jacobson JCC
in Roslyn regarding food insecurity on Long
Island.
We hope that these kinds of activities that
enable us to “stand up” for the needs of our
local communities will be supported by others
at the Towers and we welcome new members.
Interested in joining?
If you are interested in joining us, email one
of our planning committee members: Merle
Levy (merlelevy22@gmail.com), Carol
Meyerson (cmeyer931@aol.com), or Priscilla
Smith (priscilla.cg.smith@gmail.com)
February 2021 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 9
link
link
link
