Joan, just enjoy it while it lasts, and be thankful you have someone who can come and stay with you to take over! So many of us have no one to do this - but it sounds like a dream come true. Just enjoy,enjoy.
I agree with you, Vicki... Respites are hard to come by.. When I arranged rehab and possible long term for DH, I was TOLD to use that time for myself.. gotta say, that threw me.. Never have I been treated so kindly... Yes, My dear ones, it'll be hard the first couple of days but I'll get the hang of it and hopefully join Joan for a little rest.. Joans a trooper.. Proud of the way she handles her life and the way she supports us when we need her.. We shouldn't feel so guilty for taking care of ourselves or even dreaming about it... Thanks to all who come here... It is our lifeline...
The most amazing thing happened today. It was 6 PM, and I realized I wasn't exhausted as I usually am by that time. For 3 1/2 days now, my sister has done my running around, and I cannot believe the difference it has made in how I feel. She took us both for full body massages this afternoon. What a treat! I have also taken her advice and ignored Sid's whining. When ignored, he stops. How about that?
Today I got a few hours of respite! It was great! I was with a girl friend and we went out for a late lunch and stayed there for TWO HOURS...I thought I was in heaven. It is amazing what little things make us so grateful. Then I went grocery shopping and went home. Yes, it was still there and he was still there but it was so nice to get away. I can't do it very often at all but it is nice to have a friend that will take me away. It is better than callgon taking me away. haha!
boy, we can really tell how badly we need respite when BigLots looks good right?? hah. i have spent many an hr in that store! :)
glad to hear some of you are getting out and having a few hrs to yourselves. it cleans the mind and rejuvenates for sure. vickie can you get a hired person to stay with DH for an hr to 'start' til hes adjusted to them? its ALWAYS hard to get someone in at first. they resist, resist, but say they are cleaning etc. they will eventually get more comfortable after a few visits.
I started getting someone to come in on the excuse that the Dr. ordered physical therapy for my back. My DH was fine with that (which was a huge shock to the entire family) and when they stopped the PT I continued to take those few hours for myself. I have lunch with friends, get shopping done, or just sit in a parking lot and read a book. Just being away for 2 or 3 hours a couple of times a week recharges my battery. it is worth the cost.
I had a 2hr. respite last week. Went for a mamogram and browsed in the Dollar Tree store. Pretty pathetic isn't it? I could have stayed out longer, but didn't know what to do.
I knew that Mary was getting a five day respite break every month, with her husband in the hospice hospital. My husband's also on hospice, dementia variety. No one in my hospice had initiated contact about respite, but I finally did. Or rather, they'd said yes you can have five days. ONCE. It turns out that what Mary gets is pure medicare-supported hospice respite - 20% of the hospice time can be used for respite, five days at a time. If you're on dementia-hospice (I mean your spouse is) ask your care manager about this. AND TAKE IT!!!
There is a lady at my church who takes my DH out to lunch after church & then keeps him busy for a few hours to give me some respite. She will also pick him up a day during the week if she has the time. She goes out of her way to help me. I consider her my angel.