Describes the types of emotional conflicts caregivers experience.
As a caregiver, I want to help make my spouse’s life better. I want to help him find answers to his medical questions, assist him in doing the things he cannot do, and help him in whatever way I can. As his MS has progressed over the years, his need for my assistance has expanded to […]
Remember Whose Life You Are Living Read More »
New Year’s Day often brings a time of reflection, and for some, a time for establishing resolutions for change. My life tends not to be stable enough to attempt to create resolutions for change. However, I have been indulging in reflection quite a bit. I’ve been thinking back over how my role as a caregiver has changed over the
Reflections on Caregiving Read More »
Getting ready for the holidays at my house incorporates specific considerations that many families who do not deal with chronic illnesses do not consider as part of their preplanning task list. Since most of you readers have similar concerns, you probably know where I’m going with this but for new caregivers just starting to deal with
Holiday Preparations Read More »
Introduction: I wrote the following story about a time in my life when I was waiting at Lynn’s bedside to find out if he was getting better or worse. I submitted this story to a writing contest at work and won second place. However, I wanted to share it with you because I think many
Standing Beside His Bed Read More »
Each of us filters information through our previous life experiences. Through those filters, we evaluate comments made and inferences perceived and eventually make conclusions based on those filters. We also tell ourselves stories about what we see and hear based on those filters and it’s through those stories that our emotions are generated. That being said,
Caregiving From a Different Perspective Read More »
Occasionally I get an email from someone who is a new caregiver asking for advice on how to adjust to this new role they have acquired. Here are some of the life lessons I’ve learned from caregiving. I can’t be perfect. Not that I ever was but I’ve always had the personal philosophy that if
Life Lessons from Caregiving Read More »
Whether it’s right or wrong, healthy or unhealthy, most of us tend to “take in” the view others have of us. I think that’s especially true of caregivers. Once you become a full-time, all consumed caregiver you tend to lose part of yourself through absorbing the emotions and needs of the person for whom you
When you run into someone when you’re out in public, what seems to be the first thing out of their mouth after saying your name? For me, it’s, “How’s Lynn?” and then it’s, “and how are you doing?” It’s never easy to know how to answer that question. I believe that most people don’t really
So, How Are You….Really? Read More »
Lynn loves to socialize. He’s much more outgoing than I am and often wants to invite people over; especially family members. However, what I hear when he says so and so is coming over is this: I’ve invited people over who may or may not have been exposed to a cold, flu, norovirus, or any other germs that
We Love To See You But…. Read More »
I often complain about how picky I think Lynn is. One of my greatest frustrations is how much effort it takes to get something right for him. It has to be “just so” before we can stop fiddling with whatever it is. I’ve always thought that it was just because he was picky
A Little to the Left Please Read More »
