November 2020

Page 58

Gratitude: Around, around, around it goes by Tara Payor, Ph.D.

Life is replete with twists and turns. Some, we’d rather bypass. When twisting and turning bring life full circle, we find ourselves standing with grateful hearts. Recent, jarring twists and turns led the Cringolo family to concentric circles centered on gratefulness—ones resounding with joyful noise.

DOWNWARD DIAGNOSIS Rob and Ginny Cringolo are both certified registered nurse anesthetists and parents to Luca (14), Marco (12) and Ella (10). They were navigating jobs, online schooling and all that comes with pandemic parenting when one Tuesday, life’s course veered toward drastic changes. Ginny recounted: “Rob came home with a slight cough, tired and sore—normal for many parents. With COVID centerstage, we disagreed about his condition.” A 101.5 temperature the next morning led Rob to forego work and go for testing. “By evening, we knew he was positive.” The next week was rough terrain, but the Cringolos maintained a ‘we’ll get through this’ mindset. Rob’s breathing got more difficult, leading to an overnight hospital stay after which oxygen was brought into the house. Ginny wore PPE at home. “I was in and out of the room minimally. I felt like I couldn’t care for him.” When Rob couldn’t get out of bed alone, Ginny and Rob headed to the hospital—again. “I had to drop him off. His ears were black. I didn’t think I’d see him again.” This is what COVID-19 did to a healthy, 45-yearold man. Ginny had to physically and emotionally shield their three kids from the avalanche. “It was a blessing and a curse I couldn’t go to the hospital because the kids needed me.” Fourteen days passed before they spoke to him. Ginny set up a camera so Rob could see the family singing and dancing—though he doesn’t remember. When Ginny’s phone rang at 6 a.m., she thought Rob was calling to give good day wishes. It was news a breathing tube was being put in. It was the last time they’d speak for three weeks. “I felt better knowing he’d sleep through every thing. He’d suffered so much.” While the kids knew Rob was sick and a machine was helping him, they weren’t aware of details. “Video games became my allies in shielding them. We were watching T V one day and the president was talking about ventilators. I decided to let them know daddy was fortunate to get one.” Ginny was in uncharted, hellish terrain: unable to be by her husband’s bedside, determined to be stoic for their children and all the while, a human— also needing softness, support and solidarity.

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TampaBayParenting.com NOVEMBER 2020


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