Shares about coping with negative emotions facing caregivers.
I have a tendency to feel sorry for myself at times. I also know that I may at times play the martyr. What I didn’t realize is that I sometimes treat others the way I don’t like them to treat me, too. Feeling Sorry for Myself When others are able to go out, make plans […]
In as much as we have recently experienced the Thanksgiving season, I was thinking about the impact Multiple Sclerosis has had on our lives and trying to think of reasons why I could be thankful for MS. What comes to mind first, of course, are all the challenges but if I really focus I can
I attended a webinar today called, “Grief: What Helps When It Hurts” by the Hospice Foundation of America. I was interested in this presentation because I work with a lot of employees who have lost family members and struggle when they return to work. The focus of the presentation was on grieving the death of
People have different ways of relieving stress and frustration and as Lynn’s condition progressed from independence to total dependency, I think we have used them all. Most provide some relief but some work better than others. For us, the method that works the best is laughter. Now when I was a kid, I was told
Sometimes, Ya Just Have Ta Laugh…. Read More »
The light was flashing on my answering machine when I came home from work to meet my “one day a week onsite” obligation. Lynn has difficulty answering the phone before it automatically rolls to voicemail, so we don’t even try to have him do it when I’m away. I checked the message, and excitement spread
When Reality and Dreams Don’t Mix, No One Wins Read More »
Sometimes I am jealous of Lynn. Isn’t that sick? How could any able-bodied individual who is healthy, independent, productive, able to work and function normally be jealous of someone who is totally dependent on someone else for EVERYTHING in his life other than his own thoughts? I must be mentally ill – but there it
Sometimes I Get Jealous Read More »
I was reading a blog about advice caregivers give to other caregivers and as I read through the suggestions (all of which rang true,) one connected with me more than all the others—“live in the moment.” “Live in the moment,” is a phrase I’ve heard much of my life in the context of learning to
There is a multitude of emotions that play into being a caregiver or being the one with a chronic disease that needs the care. Which emotion takes the front stage on any given day is affected by how you feel, how the other person feels, how much sleep you got the night before and what
Put Guilt Back in the Box Read More »
I experienced separation anxiety as a child. I didn’t like to leave home; rarely went to sleep-overs, and seriously considered my college choices based on how close they were to home so I “get” that feeling of longing to be close to someone you love and the slight edge of fear that comes when you
The Challenges of Separation Anxiety Read More »
I attended a memorial service recently at my church. It was the first time I had attended a church “service” there in three years. The last time I was there, I was rehearsing for our Christmas drama and had one of the lead roles. We were in the final weeks before the production and I
