Introduction

serfbooks
serfbooks Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
deleted due to privacy issues and wife passing on...

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    Welcome serf.
    I am both a survivor of breast cancer and a caregiver to both my parnents for over 11 years now. We lost my mom 2 years ago but I continue to care for my dad.
    Ongoing caregiving can be the most exhauting thing on earth, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. And feelings of never being able to do 'enough' are common among caregivers.
    We have to just accept the fact that we can not fix this. And we have to be realistic about how much we can do in one 24 hour day.
    Taking good care of ourselves is one of the best things we can do for those we are caring for. But it can also be one of the most difficult things we have to do. We somehow feel guilty about every minute we 'spend' on ourselves.
    My only suggestion is to get a good support team...others who can step in for you on occasion. It is hard to ask for help, but most people really do want to help but don't always know just how until we ask for specific favors from them. "Can you come over for two hours on Tuesday?" is a small request really, and if the shoe were on the other foot I know you would be happy to do that for someone else. So take what you need now and give it back later.
    It's that "pass it on principle". God bless you and your wife.

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