Doesn’t anyone else feel …… ?

@n82821 “Think about it for a MINUTE”? I think about it all the time!
Maybe it’sa disease and maybe it isn’t. No one can even guess because my friend is completely oblivious of any of the behaviourisms. Or so it seems.
As far as giving the diseases a nickname, I have no desire to live with “Al”.
I’m glad this trick works to make your life easier.
I’m not allowed to treat him like he’s “old”, or like he’s a patient. But I can’t treat him as the friend I thought he was because he isn’t that person, whether he’s ill or I was just deluded.
Long and boring story.
Bottom line is, although we’re still friends, I’m continually compromising, dressing up more patience, walking off frustration, missing certain aspects of life while my friend blithely continues about his meet way.
I looked after my dad, my kids, my stepdad who is still alive, I deal with my untreated bipolar mother who is now developing age-related memory problems (or is it dementia symptoms? We’ll never know because “there’s nothing wrong” with her.) Got a bipolar brother with physical health restrictions who medicates with cannabis. All these people are 3500 miles away.
Yes, I’m irritated.
I watched a short documentary about a care home in Denmark, unique in its format. Yes, the patients are receiving fabulous care. But! There were often two or three caregivers helping one patient. How the staff is paid I can’t imagine.
Some days it just comes to the front of my mind that I have too many responsibilities gradually becoming more and more.
There’s ONE person I don’t want to be a caregiver for, but I feel guilty even about that.

@sunnygardens
Wow! You are a Wonder Women! You certainly have a lot in your plate. I can’t imagine handling the load you are carrying! I’m sorry for my simplistic response. I thought you were only dealing with one person, my bad! I just have my wife, the smartest person I’ve ever known, to deal with. I find that quite a large task, as she has dementia. They have called this the long good bye. I wish you good luck and health!
Tom

@kjc48

You're not aging in the negative sense. You are like a fine wine that improves with age!

George's Wife

P.S. I thought of you this morning, as I was removing the two-month old polish from my toe nails and painting on a fresh coat of flourescent blue!

@georgescraftjr "Does anyone else feel" seemed to be the right place to post this, this morning to you, and every other caregiver on this site. I feel blessed and grateful for all of you who have liked, hugged, and/or responded when I needed you most. You have taken away my fear, made life easier with your sage, sometimes, upbeat, funny advice, while traveling down this same road, where life can feel so uncertain at times. Watching the kaleidoscope of fireworks last night across so many cities, reminded me of you - my Mayo Connect friends - across so many cities in that same beautiful kaleidoscope of love and support - where a diverse collection of shared ideas and "travelled roads" gives us hope, in knowing what to do and when. Happy fourth to all of you. You've all made a difference in my life. Thank you for just being there. Best, Karla

@kjc48

Now it's you who's cracking me up! Only the Lady with the beautiful smile would write a heart-felt expression of appreciation in this "place"-- a post that was initiated to invite comments addressing various "aaarrrghh!!!" things that make us caregivers get "fed up" or "irritable."

Thanks for making me laugh, Karla.

George's Wife

@georgescraftjr you make me laugh! You know I didn't see it that way, when it read" Does anyone else feel.........? Yes, I felt grateful! I guess it's because of the smile (and makeup) that I was feeling so genuinely heart-felt! Glass half empty, or half full. I know the one I opt for! Happy 4th, my friend. PS, I'm still laughing at the "aaarrrghh!!!"
Best, Karla

I am very irritated too. I try to meditate at least once a day. Friends don't get it.

@todayissaturday4 THANK YOU! You sound like a human being. ☕️