I guess caretakers need to take care too :)

Luv2lunch
Luv2lunch Member Posts: 270
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
I just got back from the hospital, however, this time it wasn't for my mom, it was for me. It seems my blood pressure was totally out of whack and I needed to go to the ER this afternoon. They put me on blood pressure medicine and I need to see my doctor on Monday. I have been so consumed with my Mom's problems, I neglected to take care of me. This has been going on since March when we were told of Mom's cancer diagnosis. She immediately moved in with my husband and me. Then there was the worry and problems with the port placement, and the 6 weeks of constant chemo and radiation, and then the major surgery for the permanent colostomy, and now 4 more months of chemo. On top of that, trying to take care of her, my husband and two dogs. Trying to work my 20 hours a week. Trying to cook, clean, pay bills, laundry, blah blah blah, lol. I guess I forgot to make sure "I" was ok. Which obviously I was not.
I had decided to start working out last Wednesday on the treadmill, (blasted thing). I went to work Thursday and became really dizzy. I went home and to bed. I checked my pressure that night and it was 150 over 118. No good. I went to my doctor on Friday but found out they didn't work on Fridays anymore. I went to a walk in clinic and sat there for 2 1/2 hours and finally left. Kept checking my pressure and it wasn't going down. My aunt, who is a nurse, finally convinced me to go to the hospital today.
They did all kinds of tests and a CT scan to make sure all was well. They said I was stressed out and need to slow down.
It's really hard to think of yourself when someone close to you needs you. My husband is disabled and does not work anymore, (he has a plate and screws in his neck from an accident). Mom is 79 years old and has difficulty with a lot of things. And the darn dogs still can't open their own dog food cans, lol :)
Well, thanks all for listening. I am really going to try and make time for myself during the day, just "me" time. I won't be any good to my "patients" if I'm laid up myself.
Love,
Linda

Comments

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #2
    Bad Linda!
    OK enough scolding, at least now you have recognized you need to take care of you.

    It has been a tough year for you by the sounds of it. Easy enough to put yourself last but I am a firm beliver in 'me time', even if it is only a long hot bubble bath at the end of the day.

    You might want to see about getting some "helping hands" to take on some of the mundane things for you. If you are like the rest of us, money is just not laying around waiting to be spent, but usually in communities there are organizations which will help out a few hours a week for someone with your responsibilities.

    Take care and hope you and the doc can get that blood pressure under control.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Caregivers are the unsung heros.....
    We don't know what to do without them!

    But you all are not 'spared' the bad news that we are...the medical community must tell SOMEONE...and, well, you are there!

    You need to take care of you, you know that. Otherwise, who will be around to take care of everyone else? LOL!

    BIG hugs, Kathi

    BTW, I've been both a patient and a caregiver...I think I'd choose patient...hopefully, I'll never have to choose again...
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #4
    Take care!
    Oh, my goodness.

    You NEED to take care of yourself! I know it's hard to find time or energy to think of anything but the caregiving, but you must. I also have high blood pressure, and it's scary.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
    Aw Linda
    I am glad you are OK, + now realize the importance of taking care of you! It is really hard finding the balance between taking care of the patient + taking care of you (so you don't become a patient too). The first step definitely is knowing there is a problem, so good for you! Take good care!

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