“… I mean, it is what it is,” the flippant remark accompanied the doctor’s flick of the light switch, “there’s nothing we can do – you won’t regain the sight in that eye. Good thing it’s your weak eye.” His quick exit did nothing to relieve my rigid shoulders. My… Read more““It Is What It Is”…but God IS Bigger”
The Ache of the Waiting Room
Today’s guest blogger is author Jennifer Dukes Lee. In the past year, whilst writing her book It’s All Under Control, she went through a season of caregiving for her parents. Here’s what she learned. The Waiting Room This is the waiting room. Welcome. You know this place, don’t you? When… Read more“The Ache of the Waiting Room”
A Caregiver’s Letter of Gratitude
The treatment of my son’s leukemia was years ago but my heart continues overflowing with gratitude. At the end of May, Andrew graduated from high school – a milestone that wavered in the hazy distance during those rough initial months of chemotherapy. In the process of mailing out graduation announcements,… Read more“A Caregiver’s Letter of Gratitude”
Whitening Sensitive Teeth at Home for Your Best Smile
In Which I Discover a New Product: Smile Brilliant So far in life, I’ve avoided the embarrassment of a student saying, “Teacher, your teeth are yellow.” But, I have wondered about teeth whitening systems—especially since I enjoy a cup of coffee (or two) on a daily basis, and drink herb… Read more“Whitening Sensitive Teeth at Home for Your Best Smile”
Self-care for Caregivers is NOT an Oxymoron
Caregiver Self-Care is NOT an Oxymoron If you’re deep in the throes of caregiving, you probably hear the, ‘Take time to care for yourself,’ advice from multiple people. It sounds like an oxymoron. Who’s got time for that? You shake your head and let the suggestion roll off your already… Read more“Self-care for Caregivers is NOT an Oxymoron”
Five Valuable Resources for Caregivers in Crisis
Other People Can Become Your Most Valuable Resource When disaster strikes, how does a person decide what to share on social media and with whom to share the information? Ultimately, the decision should rest squarely in the hands of the person who is sick. In the case of an ill… Read more“Five Valuable Resources for Caregivers in Crisis”
What’s YOUR Caregiver Story?
Feeling Lonely? You’re Not Alone! Whether you’ve eased your way into caregiving for a parent as he or she aged or dropped into the tumultuous sea of caregiving by an unforeseen event (cancer, accident, etc.), you probably know about caregiver loneliness. Life goes into hyper-focused slow motion in your immediate… Read more“What’s YOUR Caregiver Story?”
Sometimes It’s Okay to Hide
When the sight of the red-blood-cell bag would become too much, or the pokes too many, or the smell of the chemotherapy would overwhelm my nose—I wanted to escape. To hide. With my whole being I wanted to run. Run far and run fast. But he was four. How could… Read more“Sometimes It’s Okay to Hide”
Sleep for Caregivers
Sleep. Lying in bed, afraid to let go. Visions of blood consuming the house (diagnosis of Leukemia). Listening for breaths, restlessness or stirring. Worry of fevers and rush trips to the ER. Sleep. Heart pumping fiercely instead of relaxing. Memories of fighting for life in those mid-night hours. Rummaging through… Read more“Sleep for Caregivers”
Caregiver Resources – Write Things Down
Write things down. That’s probably one of the biggest and best pieces of advice I can give any caregiver. I distinctly remember sitting across from the Head Oncologist of my four-year-old son’s teams (three groups) of doctors. He was an attending physician/professor and coordinated two hospitals’ treatment protocols in connection… Read more“Caregiver Resources – Write Things Down”
