Shout out to Caregivers - Thanks

carol2dogs

Hi, everyone!
I just had chemo yesterday, and I was sitting next to a lady with lung cancer who was having a very difficult time with her chemo. Let me just say that she was less than kindly to her best friend. This caregiver never flinched and never lost her cheerfulness and cheeriness. I was greatly impressed with her! It really made me appreciate that our caregivers put up with a lot and give a lot to us.
Anyway, just wanted to express very heartfelt gratitude to all of the caregivers out there! Thanks so very much for everything you do!!
Love and hugs, Carol

BonnieR

Amen
thanks carol for sharing :-)

ladyjogger31

BonnieR said:

Amen
thanks carol for sharing :-)

Thanks
I agree Carol, well said. They deserve to be recognized for there role.
Hugs and Prayers, Terry

kayandok

Thanks for the reminder!!
Hi Carol, I needed to hear that today. HOpe you are doing ok Carol.
Hugs, Kathleen:)

LPack

True
Carol,

You are so right. As my husband and I are wondering where this next scan and CA125 test is going to take us, I realize how much harder it is for him then me.

He is a "hands on" man and wants to "fix" me. He told me today he did not know he could love someone as much as me. He is my best friend. It is hard to see a loved one going through illnesses.

Yes, thanks to ALL the caregivers!

In His Grip,
Libby

jane65

My caregiver
Hi everyone,
Three years ago I was diagnosed with Uveitis, an auto immune eye disease that left me blind in one eye. That entire year was spent going from one eye specialist to another, until I found the right medication to put it into remission. My husband and I had to deal with the real possibility that I'd be blind, it was a terrifying year for us. He never complained, he just worried and was there for me.

A few short months later I was told I had cancer. My husband has been amazing for the 2+ years since my diagnosis of stage 4B OVCA. He knows the prognosis is not good and we've discussed it but for now, we live in the present.

He goes with me to every doctor, he's been through my surgery and recovery, 2 years of chemo treatments and is so attentive. He's learned to do the laundry, cook some simple meals, shop, and is always asking what can he do for me?

Unfortunately I've taken my frustration and anger out on him, and I apologize over and over. He says it's ok, that he knows it's the disease acting out and that I have no one else to yell at. I still feel terrible since he's my best friend.

I know that some day he'll be alone, and I worry so much since we've been together for 45 years and until I became ill, I've always taken care of him. With me gone he'll have to take care of himself, and what if he gets sick. Who'll be there to take care of him. We really have no one but each other to depend on.

So, that's my wonderful caretaker and I'm so blessed to have him.

I wish all of you and your wonderful caretaker good health!
Jane

Cindy54

jane65 said:

My caregiver
Hi everyone,
Three years ago I was diagnosed with Uveitis, an auto immune eye disease that left me blind in one eye. That entire year was spent going from one eye specialist to another, until I found the right medication to put it into remission. My husband and I had to deal with the real possibility that I'd be blind, it was a terrifying year for us. He never complained, he just worried and was there for me.

A few short months later I was told I had cancer. My husband has been amazing for the 2+ years since my diagnosis of stage 4B OVCA. He knows the prognosis is not good and we've discussed it but for now, we live in the present.

He goes with me to every doctor, he's been through my surgery and recovery, 2 years of chemo treatments and is so attentive. He's learned to do the laundry, cook some simple meals, shop, and is always asking what can he do for me?

Unfortunately I've taken my frustration and anger out on him, and I apologize over and over. He says it's ok, that he knows it's the disease acting out and that I have no one else to yell at. I still feel terrible since he's my best friend.

I know that some day he'll be alone, and I worry so much since we've been together for 45 years and until I became ill, I've always taken care of him. With me gone he'll have to take care of himself, and what if he gets sick. Who'll be there to take care of him. We really have no one but each other to depend on.

So, that's my wonderful caretaker and I'm so blessed to have him.

I wish all of you and your wonderful caretaker good health!
Jane

Caregivers
Thanks Carol for reminding us how lucky we are when we have somone to take care of us.

And Jane, so much in your post reminded me of when I was taking care of my Mom. She had stage IV ovarian and I was her caregiver for 18 months. She also got cranky at times and weepy and worried about leaving me alone...I have no more family left. She was so determined to get better that 4 days before she passed she was doing her leg exercises to get stronger so that I could go back to work and she could "take care of myself." She worried so much. I was the laundry person, the shopper, the errand girl, the bill payer, the cook and the comforter. I made the calls to doctors, insurance places and tried as best I could to get someone to help me with the caregiving and the bills. she had seizures, a colostomy and was going blind from macular degeneration. Towards the end the cancer had spread to her throat so she had a tough time talking. But she would still squeak out an I love you. When I think back now I cannot imagine how I got through it. Halfway through her recovery, I ended up not walking due to the spinal cord tumor. We were quite a pair with our walkers, I'll tell you. Yes it was tough at times, but yes, I would do it all over again.

I am sure that as hard as it is, your husband would never complain, because he still has you here with him.

Here's to all the caregivers here, it is sometimes tougher than the illness itself to watch a loved one go through this and feel so helpless to stop it. Hugs to all of you, Cindy

BrittanyC

Wow, amazing.
I have heard
Wow, amazing.

I have heard that the people in the family are taking the diagnosis and caretaking much harder than the patient. I have heard that and it is true.

It isn't the end of the world, we can only do as much as we can.

There are times when I have tried to get my mom out to walk and she yells at me. It is hard to just brush it off, but I did. I shouldn't take it personal.