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![]() JOAN’S BLOG – MON/TUE, JUNE 8/9, 2009 – "IN SICKNESS AND HEALTH" - WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN FOR SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS? This is one of those blogs that comes with a disclaimer. What I am about to write is my opinion, and my opinion only. It is a decision that is right for ME and I mean it to apply to only ME. It is NOT a judgment on those who disagree with me. Those of you who are familiar with my writings know that I make no judgments for or against anyone’s opinion. We are all different; we have led different lives; we have had different experiences; our experiences have shaped our opinions. I encourage all of you to express your opinions as your own, as I am doing now. Okay. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, here are the thoughts that have been taking up space in my brain At the same time I am seeing or hearing about those spouses falling asleep So I have been thinking – Does “in sickness and in health” mean one has vowed to let spousal caregiving kill them? I think not. After reading about and listening to the stories of feces smeared walls, floors, and patients, night time wandering, injured backs, physical abuse, no sleep, constant exhaustion and stress, I have decided that for me, “in sickness and in health” does not mean that I should let caregiving kill me. If my house burned down, I would not try to re-build it myself – I have neither the expertise, nor physical stamina to do it. I would pay the insurance money to the professionals That is not to say that I will not be hysterical, emotionally devastated, and heartbroken My husband and I have discussed the issue. We have agreed on it. And for now, we have both agreed not to think about it anymore (Which will be easy for him, because he will forget the entire conversation). I feel a bit of stress lifted from my shoulders in having made the decision. It is the right one for me. MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC: Joan's Blog - June 8 Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com ©Copyright 2009 Joan Gershman
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