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anonymous262233 Posted July 2018

I've had a change of heart...

Wow... life changed in the blink of an eye since Daddy's stroke, but some interesting things have happened...


He has become my hero again. I can distinctly remember the moment when I realized that Daddy wasn't the guy that I put on this pedestal. Rather, he was a rather violent, controlling and manipulative man that had turned into a miserable sick grump, and I SOOOO resented every moment of caregiving. For the past four years I have been to h*ll and back trying to figure out what's best for Dad and darn near killing myself in the process worrying about HIS needs and HIS wants and sacrificing my own.


...but seeing him fight hard to recover and have a positive attitude (which is rare) in spite of his limitations reminded me that there is some good in the guy.


It's still hard to try to balance everything, but now that I have a solid transition plan in place and amazing


help (and a Plan B and C if everything goes to S***), I feel oddly calm. It's like something... released in me and I'm not so PI**ED off anymore.


 Instead, I'm grateful that Dad made it through a stroke, still alive and with minimal side effects. I mean, I NEED someone to fight with (smile). I'm grateful that at the end of everything I won't feel guilty about not spending time with him (unlike his other children who do NOTHING... yet I digress), and I'm grateful for this ... SHIFT.


I still get impatient and feel horrible about it, but I think that things will be easier once we get in one place together and there aren't so many moving pieces to this machine. I'm going in fully aware that there will be NEW challenges, but there's just something... different. 


He's still ornery, stubborn and can be downright mean... but He's Dad, and I want whatever time we have left to be less strained.

JoAnn29 Jul 2018
Great! I know, we want everything "just right" and life doesn't happen that way. I was able to get my disabled nephew into a state program. He physically cannot drive a car. DDD suggested I sign up for "Access" a program for transportation. I called today and was told he will need to meet with someone to determine if he qualifies. He goes on to tell me the appt will be wherever an appt is available. One place would be 3 counties away. Really! He doesn't drive. Yes, I could take him but I think its a little unreasonable to think that he should have to find transportation that far away. We r trying to get him some independence because I one day may not be here. There's a 40 yr difference in ages. Overseeing someone elses life is not fun.

Lostinthemix Jul 2018
Wonderful to hear! Taking the good with the bad is ALWAYS A GREAT THING!

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Isthisrealyreal Jul 2018
I'm so glad for you that you have found peace in this journey. That is a remarkable gift to receive. May it continue to bring you joy.

P.S. I think a good scrap now and then keeps us on our toes. I come from a family that argues, in fact the young ones have decided to become attorneys it's so prevalent. :-)

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