Being the caregiver

Posted by northoftheborder @northoftheborder, Sep 14 11:16am

I'm about to go to a different city and take care of my mom for a few days as she recovers from a serious illness (expected to make a full recovery). My siblings have been taking turns, and I offered to help.

Over the past 3 years with stage 4 PCa and spinal damage, I guess I got used to being the care recipient rather than the caregiver. This feels a little strange, and part of me is worried I won't be up to the challenge, but overall I think it will be a positive step in my recovery for me to be back on the "other side" again, even just for a few days.

Wish me luck!

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stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | Sep 14 3:14pm

You got this, having a good heart will help you do what you need to do, and it is your Mom. Let us know how the trip goes. Best to all.

gently | @gently | Sep 14 3:41pm

Good luck, northoftheborder. You'll be the best caregiver because of your experience on the the other side. How wonderful to have some close time with your Mom. Best wishes to her with her recovery.

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Sep 14 7:39pm

Thank you, every one, for the reactions and replies. She sounded much better today on the phone, so I'm feeling a bit more confident that I can do this.

robertmizek | @robertmizek | Sep 14 8:00pm

In reply to @northoftheborder "Thank you, every one, for the reactions and replies. She sounded much better today on the..." + (show)

You’ll be in my thoughts that all goes well.

Bob

grandpun | @grandpun | Sep 15 6:44am

Dear N o t Border,
You'll hammer this for sure.
And you'll see the fantastic results as your mom improves with your tender touch and companionship.
I know this from 20-years experience helping my late wife with her inevitable decline from MS. You'll no doubt provide the kind of care needed: love, friendship, 'entertainment', encouragement, and just plain company.
For someone who is disabled or recovering, loneliness is one of the worst co-morbidities - as you no doubt
know from your own experience.
God Speed my 'double brother'

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Sep 15 8:37am

Good start to the trip — for some reason, I have "Premier" status with VIA Rail (Canada's Amtrak), so I got to preboard with the fancy first-class passengers. 🙂

bens1 | @bens1 | Sep 15 8:54am

@northoftheborder All the symptoms you have had with your cancer and treatments will help you empathize with your mother and maybe some of her issues. As much as you have suffered, it makes a difference in intellectually understanding pain and suffering vs actually physically feeling it. Your mother will receive the benefit of your higher-level understanding. You may find that you can give her comfort in a way that few others can.

grandpun | @grandpun | Sep 19 7:46am

Dear "NorthOfTheBorder",
Haven't heard from you in a couple days and want to wish you and your mother well on Both your recoveries.
We all hope it's going well and are confident you are providing your mother excellent care, understanding, and kind companionship.
God Speed to you both!

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Sep 19 11:08am

She's doing great, thank you! I'm back home after staying with her Sunday to Wednesday, and saw here become more and more like herself as she recovered. She has friends checking in with her every day, and my brother will be there on the weekend. We're confident she'll make a full recovery.

I need to do a bit of recovering myself now, because it was a lot for me.

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