Shares about coping with negative emotions facing caregivers.
In the past month, I have been taken to the emergency room twice with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Each time they ruled out appendicitis (thank goodness) but obviously, something is wrong. At this point, they believe I have two locations in my intestines that are infected which is causing the pain so I’ve been […]
I Just Keep Going and Going and Going Read More »
I was talking to a fellow caregiver this week about an event that occurred to him and he made the comment, “Yeah, I’m just waiting for the next shoe to drop.” That comment really struck home. I confess; I’m like that most of the time. Lynn, my husband and the person I provide care to,
Waiting for the Next Shoe to Drop Read More »
I was listening to a Bible commentary today, and the commentator was talking about how God takes us through trials in life that prepare us for events yet to come. He described how precious metals are often put into fire for purifying so that the impurities are removed and the remaining metal is stronger and
What do you see when you see me? Do you see what I’ve come to be? Do you see the mask I wear That hides the truth of all I bear? Do you see my strength, my skill My constant running all uphill? Do you see my desperate hope That with each change I still
What Do you See When You See Me? Read More »
The final stage of experiencing loss or grief is acceptance. Some people never get there; some get there quickly. Most of the time people step into and out of acceptance at various times based on what is happening around them or new challenges they face associated with the loss. For the caregiver, at least my personal
Stages of Loss: Acceptance Read More »
Let me start by saying that I’m not a psychiatrist nor a licensed counselor so what I mean is based on my own experiences in talking to others with disabilities, my own experience with family members, and my personal beliefs. Therefore, you may or may not agree with me, and that’s fine because this is a
Finding the Will to Live Read More »
When you first suspect your loved one has MS, you tend to find ways to deny it. Lynn kept saying his doctor had ruled it out. I kept saying, “Are you sure you’re telling him everything?” When he said, “Yes,” I would accept that as true because I wanted it to be true…denial. Then, the
Stages of Grief: Anger Read More »
It’s funny how words or pictures will bring back such vivid memories. The Cultural Arts Department at work sponsored a poetry/prose writing contest recently with the theme, “Rhythm.” I don’t usually enter such contests but when I thought about the theme, it brought back memories of standing next to Lynn’s bed while he was in
Watching, Waiting, Being Strong Read More »
Lynn and I had to make a very difficult decision this week– whether to cancel our summer vacation or to go as planned. Now, on the surface that might not sound like such a big deal, but it was. Since the children were small, we have been going to the beach in North Carolina for
Letting Go of Unrealistic Plans Read More »
I earn a living by working in a hospital in the department of Human Resources. Hospitals are heavily regulated and one of the most stringent agencies who monitor us is The Joint Commission. One of the standards they have for human resources is that it’s our responsibility to determine if the people we hire are
Am I Competent to Do This Job? Read More »
