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Reply by Nouce

26 Jun 2014, 1:05 PM

Thanks for sharing honestly about your family struggles, and also about the good things that have emerged. I hope I can keep learning as you have to be kind to myself. A hard lesson.

Again, thanks!

Nouce

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Reply by KathCull_admin

03 Jul 2014, 3:44 PM

Hi everyone,
Your conversations reminded me of a Community Update spotlight a few weeks ago. The thread, Caregivers: Can we talk honestly? was started by Jimmie. In it, as the title implies, members talk honestly about providing care. And as you both say, it is so important to be kind to yourself and gentle.

Katherine

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Reply by Xenia

03 Jul 2014, 4:40 PM

Good Morning All from the West Coast of Canada:

What a topic, caregivers can we talk honestly . Right now my talk would be...why was John given a time for his passing, why is each day getting harder to take, am I becoming cynical now or am I just putting in time. My feelings are mixed.

John has been quite sick the past week, the morphine is keeping the pain under control but he is sleeping and sweating so much that I have to change his T shirts and shorts a number of times at night and during the day. His pillows are wet and so far there seems to be no answer, perhaps the pills, his elctrolyes, his diabetes is under control and dr is not worried about the range of ups and downs.

Yet, I feel guilty, why, am I not giving him enough food, too much food, too many carbs, etc. It's my fault, mia culpa, then I find I just say what the heck and go on.

I have the cellulitis under control in my leg, went and got some compression stockings, daughters made sure I look after myself, also got me a small walker, we have 2 but this one is for me...alone to take the trash out to the dumpster and walk the halls. I am trying hard to take care of myself as I am no good to John or myself if I really get sick.

To-day they are starting the roof repairs in our building and i hear them dropping the shingles on the roof, took some pictures down and waiting for my friend to take the large one down over John's bed. Oh well, some excitement for us.

I have to make this short as I have a lot of things to catch up on since I have been on the sick list and have not done much so into the cupboards and fridge and see what needs doing. Take care All

Xenia

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Reply by Nouce

04 Jul 2014, 12:42 AM

I'm thinking of you. Please don't give in to feeling guilty, although I certainly know why that happens. I will hope for a little space of self-care and self-love for you each day.

Nancy

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Reply by KathCull_admin

20 Jul 2014, 2:14 AM

Hello everyone,
Taking up on Nancys' words, I hope all of you have had time -whether a few minutes or hours - to go for a walk, read a book, laugh at a television program or perhaps the best of all - just 'be'.

I thought of you all on this thread when I read Sue B's post this week on COPD - What do I do now? where she talks about hope and living in the moment.

Take care
Katherine

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