I swallowed the ache in my throat as her salt-and-pepper head bent over his snowy white one. My big, strong and wise daddy gazed up out of one of his little-boy moments, “Am I OK?” he asked. Mom nodded and kissed his cheek, “You’re fine, you can… Read more“Definition of a Caregiver: YOU!”
Author: Carol Bovee
Submersion or Submission: Which Will 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 Will 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”
Signs You Might be Drowning in Plain Sight
Drowning victims and caregivers share more than one might think. In this five-part series we explore the phenomena of “Drowning in Plain Sight.” As you read, whether you’re a caregiver or someone who loves a caregiver, think about the people in your ‘pool’–is anyone drowning? “Except in rare circumstances, drowning… Read more“Signs You Might be Drowning in Plain Sight”
Show Up!
I just finished giving the Baccalaureate address for my daughter’s graduation. Why am I writing that on a caregiver blog? Because person after person thanked me for being real—for sharing my story, for offering hope and a simple truth. I shared pieces of my life, and pieces of my son’s… Read more“Show Up!”
Three Tips for a Cancer Caregiver
It’s not an elite club. It’s not a desirable club. It comes with a very high membership fee. No one ever requests to join. But once you’ve been inducted into the club of Cancer Caregivers, you might as well participate fully. No matter how busy you are at your full-time… Read more“Three Tips for a Cancer Caregiver”
Remember the Journey Part II: The Rest of the Story
Part II –Let God’s Timing be Perfect for You! It’s true confessions time. Every journey has its tough moments. In Remember the Journey, Part I, you read of my hesitation to take pictures; my anxiety that my boy was not going to make it, and my irrational fear that I… Read more“Remember the Journey Part II: The Rest of the Story”
Grab the Moment. Be Brave
Part I – Grab the Moment. Be Brave Just before Christina hugged me goodbye, her eyes sought mine. My horrified gaze stared right back, her question hanging in the air between us, “What? You didn’t bring your camera?” “No!” I shuddered, chills running down my back…. Read more“Grab the Moment. Be Brave”
Screaming (Five Tips for NOT Screaming When You Really Feel Like it!)
“Get out of my way!” I screamed at the driver who cut me off. “Where could you possibly have to go that’s more important than me taking my son to the ER?” “I don’t have time for this!” I screamed in my classroom at the mountain of papers the substitute… Read more“Screaming (Five Tips for NOT Screaming When You Really Feel Like it!)”
Six Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
Cancer Caregiving 101: Take Care of Yourself and Prevent Caregiver Burnout “Now you must realize,” the doctor straightened the papers into the already thick folder as he finished summarizing the diagnosis, treatment protocol and prognosis, “with a best-case scenario, we’re in for a long haul. You two must take care… Read more“Six Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout”
