jssandlin commented
2/20/2009 at 3:43 pm
I can certainly understand your frustation. I am also an RN, 42 years old, no siblings and I take care of my 80 yr old dad with end stage COPD and kidney ca. I have a husband, 9 yr old dyslexic son, a
...Read MoreI can certainly understand your frustation. I am also an RN, 42 years old, no siblings and I take care of my 80 yr old dad with end stage COPD and kidney ca. I have a husband, 9 yr old dyslexic son, and 3 step-children and work. I know it can be so overwhelming at times. You almost feel as if you are suffocating yourself because no one seems to understands. The spouses try but can't understand the dedication/obligation we feel toward our fathers. My husband even gets jealous of the time that I spend caring for my dad that I don't have to spend with him. You feel as if you are being pulled at all ends and you can't even take a day away. I love my dad as well and have been taking care of him since my mom died the week of X-mas 2001. 5 days after we buried my mom, my dad had a medically enduced stroke. Believe me I understand what you are going through. I am like you, some days I would do anything for a break totally away, but without a relief of knowing that our father's are cared for in our absence that just isn't possible. Hang in there, pull on Faith. People talk about services, but I can never find the right ones unless they want a bunch of money to help. Then who do you really trust with your loved one. I am like you, I really don't want it to consume me and affect my realationships especially with my spouse that I love so dearly but how can it not in all reality. I really believe people including spouses and family have no clue, until they walk a day in your shoes. Caregiving is so much more than people realize when it's for your own, especially a parent. I truly feel your struggle and pain. Just somehow know we are caring out of love and somehow God will see that everything else in our lives somehow works out. JS
Like this
(0) | Give a hug