Friends: I have had a painful condition for a long t ime and since my husband's death this Feb. it has gotten much worse. I finally went to a specialist and he said I must have an operation on th e 28th of this month. I am writing to urge you all to do all you can to stay healthy because as you know the stress of caregiving is tremendous. I was a very healthy person until my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers. This 10 y rs. of his illness has been a nightmare for me. and my health has suffered. If you can, get enough sleep, exercise, and learn how to meditate. This ordeal of yours will be over one day and then you need enough health to go on with your life. Don't sacrifice yourself as you must first stay healthy to care for others . I only hope I can heal after the operation and be able to live for myself for a change.
Joyful, I am so sorry! You are in my heart and I am praying for you!! I hope you have relatives around you for your recovery, to take good care of you!
Please let us know if there is anything we can do! ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
Joyful: Thank you for posting this info. My hopes and prayers will be with you. You are certainly right in that we need to take care of ourselves. It is medical fact that caregiving takes its toll and the stress is almost unbearable. I think I create some of my own stress by trying to change our circumstances back - that is - making the disease go away. I know that that can't be done, but, I find myself still trying. Not very smart. One of our Altz facilitators recently said that, for men caregivers, our risk for heart disease goes up 50%.
There is not such thing as 'Good News'.
Hope you have a good day and looking forward to later news and your full recovery.
Joyful - I can only emphasize what you say. I waited too long to place my DH, neglected my own well-being and paid the price. I, too, had surgery & the doc said what happened was from 10 yrs of CG stress. However, Joyful, today I am healthy and whole again, and that is something you can look forward to, I promise. I am also selfish and protect myself as much as possible--not always easy, but I put me first--it's allowed! I know it can't easily be done when you are in the CG mode, but, please, ladies & gents, get those routine tests and exams. Hopefully you can grab some respite, even a few hours, you need it, you deserve it. And, good luck to you, Joyful. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Blessings.
Best wishes, joyful, for a successful surgery and recovery. What you say about caregiving is true, for sure, and I am lucky that I have been able to de-stress, so will be fine from now on. We look forward to your post-surgery 'report'.
Joyful: Pray that all goes well with your surgery..What you said is true...we do neglet ourselves, we don't realize just what a toll caregiving takes on our bodies...I am in the process of thinking of placing my DH..your comments have added some good insight...Get well soon...Bless you...Rosalie
Joyful, Adding my prayers that all turns out well. I know it is so easy to neglect our own health and well-being as we spend our time caregiving. We all need to be more vigilant. JoAn
Joyful, we'll keep you in our hearts and prayers ...I'll be looking forward to hearing you are well, rested, hale and hearty.... You're a precious lady..and we think about you often.
Joyful, sorry to hear about your illness. Just the short time this has been going on with my dh I feel the toll. By listening to others on this site it makes me realize what is yet to come is going to definitely take its toll. Thanks for taking the time to reach out to all of us here. Take care of yourself and God Bless You in your time of need.