Pudding. Dora the Explorer. Juice. Bambi. Burritos. Blankets. Chemo backpacks. The Lion King. Ice Cream. Crutches for a caregiver. Crutches I thought I would never use! But I used them for sure. I used them often. Did that make me a bad mother? I had always been a careful mother. … Read more“Crutches for a Caregiver”
Category: Receiving
We grew up thinking we could be superwoman, only to discover on our cancer caregiving journey that we didn’t have to be THAT woman. We found joy in receiving the gifts that others gave us.
Submersion or Submission: Which would you choose?
In the fifth part of our series on how caregivers seem to experience the same reactions to circumstances that a drowning person experiences, we explore the options a drowning person has–submersion or submission. “From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with… Read more“Submersion or Submission: Which would you choose?”
Angels and Lifeguards: What a Caregiver Needs
In this third part of our series on Drowning in Plain Sight, we salute those ‘lifeguards’ and ‘guardian angels’ who recognize a caregiver’s silent struggle in the waters of caregiving despair. “Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on… Read more“Angels and Lifeguards: What a Caregiver Needs”
What You Need to Do to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
A Good Night’s Rest Provides the Elixir for Caregiver Burnout Pedro ‘circled the drain’—his life hung in the balance and no one knew for sure how to stop the infections that waged war on his chemo-weakened body. The doctors had started using drugs they thought might work. They also spent… Read more“What You Need to Do to Avoid Caregiver Burnout”
Community Caregiving – the best medicine
“Mommy, I want to go to Cradle Roll class”. The girls headed out the door with daddy on the way to their classes and then church, but Andrew and I stayed behind. I rubbed his bald head and said as brightly as I could, “We’ll go read some stories and… Read more“Community Caregiving – the best medicine”
The Kindness of Strangers
It was really hard to see Andrew’s hair fall out. It was incredibly difficult as Andrew’s skin went from pale to pasty and straight on to completely colorless. It was annoying that he had to wear a face mask to go anywhere at all. It was lonely to be isolated. … Read more“The Kindness of Strangers”
CNA or a Fairy Godmother to a Caregiver and Patient?
Laura entered Andrew’s room, carefully sanitizing her hands and greeting Andrew with her big friendly smile. She was a favorite, because each time she entered, she always carried on a cheerful conversation, whether Andrew was well enough to respond or not. She bustled around wiping sinks and counters, picking up… Read more“CNA or a Fairy Godmother to a Caregiver and Patient?”
Dirty Drawers and Caring Colleagues
I sank down in the midst of the piles of neatly folded and partially sorted laundry that was spread around the living room floor and began to cry. Who knew it would come to this? Me, who’d always been the caregiver, the rescuer, the one to jump in and help. … Read more“Dirty Drawers and Caring Colleagues”
How to Care for a Woman After Surgery
Ten Post-Op Caregiver Tips for Men Women tend to stay home with sick kids and ailing husbands, so what’s a man to do when his wife or girlfriend suddenly needs care after a surgical procedure? When a person is sick, it’s not easy to articulate what one needs or wants—and… Read more“How to Care for a Woman After Surgery”
The Gift of Your Presence is a Beautiful Present
Her voice came over the phone line, “You let me KNOW next time Andrew’s in the hospital and I’ll come sit with you!” I thanked her sincerely and hung up. Knowing that she’d never come. We’d been at this chemotherapy for a year and a half already and most people… Read more“The Gift of Your Presence is a Beautiful Present”
