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?”
Category: Journey Points
We’ve divided our journeys into nine journey points to help you navigate your own caregiver journey.
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”
A Different Kind of Caregiving
Outdoor School Present I watch as the sky turns from city glow to deep blue. None of the students stir, and traffic flows by like a roaring river (even this early). Finally the clouds behind the campsite change from vague shadows to glorious pink. In the quiet of the morning,… Read more“A Different Kind of Caregiving”
What If and If Only
As I stood under the spray of my shower yesterday morning, the what if moments of our cancer journey replayed through my mind. The remonstrating hospital staff telling me that I shouldn’t do that repeated in my head as well. But my son bleeding in his tears haunts me and… Read more“What If and If Only”
Autopilot – the mode of operation for long-term caregivers
Autopilot becomes the way we handle things flung at us as new caregivers. Actually, who am I kidding? It didn’t get easier just because it became longer – in fact, the longer I lived on emergency-ready, life-and-death mode, the grayer my world became. My son was four-years-0ld when we started… Read more“Autopilot – the mode of operation for long-term caregivers”
Expectations Can Make All the Difference
It was one of those mornings where expectations of an normal chemo treatment were obliterated – everything that could go wrong, was going from bad to worse! We had arrived on time for four-year-old Andrew’s chemotherapy, but the nurse hadn’t. When she finally arrived, the doctor wasn’t there yet, neither was… Read more“Expectations Can Make All the Difference”
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”
Safe in the Tub – the love in the midst of the impossible
This post is written with the gang over at Five-Minute-Friday where we write on a prompt, for five minutes, and then post. Don’t think, just do it! This week’s prompt: SAFE It’s been sitting for nine years, safe in the bin I threw it in when I tried to return… Read more“Safe in the Tub – the love in the midst of the impossible”
Five Tips for Celebrating National Survivors Day
Today we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day—a day to celebrate survivorship as well as bring attention to the fact that winning cancer doesn’t always signify that the battle has ended. It’s a day to cheer on those who survived as well as acknowledge that survivors face ongoing challenges. Cancer changes… Read more“Five Tips for Celebrating National Survivors Day”
