Donna Shares holds nothing back as she shares her journey with readers about her life as a family caregiver. She began blogging after finding she needed an outlet to share her pent-up emotions with other caregivers; however, she had access to none. Starting a blog was her solution to feeling isolated and gave her an avenue to share what she knew with others in hopes that her experiences might help them not feel isolated. Since her history as a caregiver has expanded many years now, she has reprinted those past posts for new readers who might be interested in comparing past to present or learning from prior experiences. Blog Library has them all categorized by the type of topic covered. Some posts listed were from the time she wrote as a contributor for multiplesclerosis.net. Therefore, you will leave this website and go to theirs when you click on that link to read the full post. Happy reading!
Before every big event, there is always the fear that MS will get in the way of its enjoyment. I am pleased (and relieved) to say that did not happen during any of the festivities associated with Lynn’s son’s wedding. For days prior to the event, Lynn would comment on how he hoped his Rebif […]
They're Married and Lynn was There for it All Read More »
I got a text message from my son this week asking us to pray for him, his fiance, and her family. His fiance’s mother was recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer that had spread to her bones. She has had a month of radiation and a couple of weeks of chemotherapy, but she is
There are Worse Things Than MS Read More »
When I tell friends, family, acquaintances, etc. what I’m up to these days (i.e., being a full-time caregiver for my husband while working full-time from home) it’s amazing how many people either have someone with MS in their family or know of someone with MS. What’s even more amazing, however, is how different
“I Know Someone With MS…” Read More »
Today was Lynn’s six-month visit with his dentist. Tonight, after his shower, was time to cut his fingernails and file them. Between the two activities, I began to think about all the small things a caregiver takes over for their charge that are so important to that person’s self-image and feeling of being clean and neat.
Hygiene and Grooming – Sweating the Small Stuff Read More »
I have never been one to find it easy to say, “no.” I’m a people pleaser, I guess, but I find delight in making others happy and I enjoy helping people. However, I guess for my own sake, and, maybe sometimes even for theirs, I should learn to say ‘no’ but how do you know
One of the many challenges I face each day is how to devote the time needed to meet the obligations of my employment and give Lynn the care and attention he needs. I’ve found that whenever he calls me back to his room for assistance during the day, if he’s tired (and what MS patient
Supporting Lynn in his Work Read More »
Someone asked me recently about working from home. They, like me, had someone they wanted to care for but needed a full-time income. Knowing that I worked from home, they asked me what type of jobs would allow that option. I’ve done a lot of research into telework or telecommuting. Having worked full-time from home for the
Lynn’s favorite band every is RUSH. For years, he, his son, his son’s friends, and Lynn’s friends have bought tickets to their concert as soon as they went on sale and anxiously awaited the day they could see them live. It used to be a fairly big production with a group of 5 or 6
Shortly after we returned from vacation, my daughter started having a lot of right-sided pain just under her ribcage and nausea. After a week, instead of it getting better, it was getting worse. She called me to “consult” on what I thought it might be (nurse to nurse). I ruled out liver problems, thought it
The Healing Touch of a Baby's Smile Read More »
For most people, deciding to go somewhere is simply a matter of making the decision to go and then going. For people who are mobilized through the power of a wheelchair, that process is a little more complex. Lynn and I have not been to church since he was hospitalized almost two years ago. He
Going Out Isn't Easy Read More »
