Walk With Bill_2001: 10 Years as a Caregiver

Posted by bill2001 @bill2001, Oct 3 9:38am

Hi Friends,

Three years ago, I posted the article entitled “The Cavalry Is Not Coming,” and I have been humbled by the fact that many of you have found it helpful. Thank you all for your kind words. If you have not stumbled upon it, search for it in this forum and it should come up.

I wrote that post to share an epiphany that I had quite late in the game: Seven years into care giving, I came to the stark realization that I am on my own on this journey, and that The Cavalry Is Not Coming. Rather than complain (again), I chose to write about summoning my inner strength and taking charge of the situation as much as possible.

If you would like to take a virtual walk with me while I talk about the article and my 10 year journey as a care giver, I have posted videos on YouTube. I invite you walk with me!

Bill_2001 Caregiver Walk 1, Oct. 1, 2025: Let’s Talk About “The Cavalry Is Not Coming” (8 minutes)

Bill_2001 Caregiver Walk 2, Oct. 1, 2025: Let’s Take a Longer Walk Together and Talk About Dementia Caregiving (20 minutes)

Bill_2001 Caregiver Walk, Oct. 2, 2025: Let’s Talk About Caring for Our Loved One with Dementia (38 minutes)

I hope you enjoy walking with me, and I wish you continued strength on this difficult journey.

Love, Bill_2001

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

rxw1853 | @rxw1853 | 6 days ago

Thank you @bill2001, your videos are as brilliant, poignant, and insightful as your terrific post "The Cavalry Is Not Coming". These should be must-reading and must-watching for everyone embarking on this caregiving journey. A great idea to take us walking in that beautiful park!

trishaanderson | @trishaanderson | 6 days ago

Hey Bill2001

Great hanging out with you this morning;-)

kjc48 | @kjc48 | 5 days ago

Bill, the raw honesty of your words - our situation, in whatever stage we're in with our loved one's dementia is what I appreciate so much in seeing your posts. Aside from caregiving, you have an incredible talent as a writer. And you are kind and willing to share, and by sharing you've given me insight along with a "quiet calm," as I've been in such a frenzy lately over everything. I just clicked into "The Calvary is not coming" and although I didn't focus on missing the calvary, I've sure felt have felt the lack of their presence. I keep looking in the mirror and I just see me and my loved one needing more care. The phone seldom rings, the kids are busy, the grandchildren are in a million different places playing sports. Life goes on for them, whether we're in or not. Yet I want it to go on for them. So I find myself not even telling them when I do talk to them, what's happening, as one's in denial, the other always too busy. When your wife was in her earlier stages, did she do any infusions?My husband is on lequembe, going on his third infusion, and he had to have another MRI today. All of it is so frightening. Now, I'm going to go watch the rest of your videos! And going to go work on me for a minute or two and take a mindful walk. I appreciate you, Bill. Thank you for sharing.

ret2tus | @ret2tus | 5 days ago

Thank you so much for your video. It was so helpful to hear from someone caring for a loved one in the later stages. You are a very good person to share your feelings as well as practical coping mechanisms.

ljchr | @ljchr | 4 days ago

Bill, again thank you so much for your videos. I sent a comment on the ALZ site and was able to join this site from the information you gave in your video.

I agree that you not only have the experience but you know how to express it so eloquently.