“… 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”
Category: Carol’s Stories
Carol’s short stories, poetry and ponderings that have nothing to do with cancer or caregiving
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”
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”
A Staph Infection filled with Fear
My boy has a staph infection. Undetermined source. Scary. Fever-inducing. Icky. Doctor monitored. Antibiotic drowned. But it’s OK. Because my boy is 17 and cancer free. As awful as a staph infection is now, it’s not what it used to be! When Andrew was four, we drove home from my high… Read more“A Staph Infection filled with Fear”
It’s Not About the Wise Men – It’s Just a Simple Gift
It’s not about the wise men, this Christmas. Our gift to you comes from two ladies who consider ourselves anything but wise. In fact, our story started with the words, “Don’t you wish you would have known…?” and continued with a resounding, “Oh, wow…yes! I wish someone could have prepared… Read more“It’s Not About the Wise Men – It’s Just a Simple Gift”
Celebrate Ten Years in Remission!
Celebrate! Today is big! Huge! Today we celebrate one of those milestones you never expect to even think about with your children. Once thought of, however, the prayer that you’ll ‘make it’ is a never-ending process-type prayer! That prayer for remission and the end of chemotherapy! Ten years ago, my… Read more“Celebrate Ten Years in Remission!”
The Difference Hair Can Make
A bright red ponytail and flying blond hair edged around the corner of room number 11 in the Children’s Cancer ward. Wide-eyes greeted me as my two precious little girls tip-toed over to where I perched on the parent chair/bed/sofa/storage unit. I hadn’t seen them for over a week: the… Read more“The Difference Hair Can Make”
The Blood and the PTSD
I ran frantically through the house, sweat dripping down my back and my eyes wide open with that familiar gritty I’ve-spent-all-night-awake-in-the-hospital-feeling. I grabbed things and flung them into suitcases and yelled again for my kids to get out! No one answered and I redoubled my efforts. Piles of laundry gave… Read more“The Blood and the PTSD”
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”
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“You Might be Drowning in Plain Sight”