Connect
← Return to Struggling To Care for COPD Patient
Discussion
Struggling To Care for COPD Patient
Caregivers | Last Active: Feb 26, 2018 | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
Hello @IndianaScott, Yes, I've been at it for 8 years which feels like a lot more with just one patient. Now I have another with multiole issues but mainly congestive heart failure and respiratory failure, Lilbit. She was discharged Tues. 2/20/2018. This afternoon the home health nurse said her lungs sound bad and thought she go back to the ER and here it is Fri.2/23/2018.
It's been hard getting time to respond back to members. Used to be I couldn't get enough of the joy of trying to help others on "Inspire."
Now it's all the tasks that she used to do along with making sure she has what she needs along with her brother.
I think you are doing a great job trying to help others. Sounds like being a fundraiser would be very challenging at times. One third of someone's life is a long time and I would suspect that you became very good at it.
I would imagine it is rather difficult to get used to having a nasal cannula or mask on your face while sleeping. Sometimes I try to put myself in her shoes and ask what I would do in certain circumstances.
Yes, supposedly the Bipap is easier for someone with weak lungs to breathe out against the force of air being forced in your face.
You have had a lot of tough years as a caregiver, then to lose family members,
and yet you have a desire still to stay on site in hopes of helping others.
Hat's Off To You
Replies to "Hello @IndianaScott, Yes, I've been at it for 8 years which feels like a lot more..."
Hello @IndianaScott, You hit it on the head for me when you said you used to post at 2 or 3 AM. Late at night or early morning now is about my only time for posting or commenting.
Didn't think about the thich skin part but I know what you mean. I guess that's one of the main reasons I never tried to sell things door to door. I remember my mom when I was a teenager going door to door doing all types of surveys. When out of school I tried to help to reduce the time she spent walking which caused her feet to hurt and getting rejected especially when a teenager came to the door, lol.
Thanks for the reply
Connect
Thank you for the kind words @duvie I understand what you are saying --- time is never one's own when they are a caregiver. I used to do my initial posts to Connect at 2 or 3 AM, which was the only time I would get to focus on something other than patient needs and I also couldn't do anything (vacuum, laundry, etc.) that made noise! There were days I chose to just sit in the quite, dark of our living room rather than post too.
I know fundraising is not for everyone, but I came to really love it, especially for the 8 years I was with an international child and family development agency. Amazingly fulfilling, while at the same time you do have to develop thick skin due to all the times you hear 'no' when you ask for a donation! I do miss it now, but can't find an organization interested in an old guy with a huge gap in his employment history even if it was for caregiving. BTW caregiving was WAY tougher than fundraising for sure 🙂
I hope your day goes smoothly and the sun shines!
Strength, courage, and peace!