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”
Tag: Caregiver Stress
In the Midst of Catastrophe and Crisis
When catastrophe strikes and crises arise, caregivers and survivors often struggle with guilt and surreal feelings of isolation and wonder that life moves on around us. Sometimes we are caught so deeply in our own battle that we forget others face different fights. But even harder – we’re bewildered that… Read more“In the Midst of Catastrophe and Crisis”
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”
Take Care of Yourself: Six Ways to Avoid 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“Take Care of Yourself: Six Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout”
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”
Screaming – Five Tips for NOT Screaming
“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”
First of All, Just Plead Guilty
I thought I’d share my $190 photo of a bird with everyone. It’s the first good photo I’ve taken of a Painted Redstart. You’re probably wondering how a photo I took could cost $190. Let me explain. My plane had arrived after midnight, and I needed to teach in just… Read more“First of All, Just Plead Guilty”
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”
Caregiving Sorrow Turned Into Joy
Today I join Kate Motaung and the writers at Five Minute Friday and the prompt is: Joy. The first few moments after the doctor said the word “Leukemia” I was frozen, until I bolted for the bathroom and lost my stomach into the sink and stared at myself in the… Read more“Caregiving Sorrow Turned Into Joy”
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”
