No Love Involved Caregiver
Hi, this is Al. I am new to Mayo Discussions. 9/11/18
The challenges of caring for a family member when there is NO LOVE operating, just task mechanics, which are doable.
I am a CGr for my father-in-law who had a stroke June 2014. He moved in with us [his daughter] June 2015. I had no relationship with him except hello's and handshakes on holidays. My wife of 21 years has revealed her stories of his diminished fathering, leaving her mother and marrying moms best friend. There he raised a second family, disconnected from her and my brother-in-law.
There was no relationship or love between us. Yet I became his F/T CGr in our home. I have professional experience with Alzheimer's and dementia's.
He does not self-report on his functioning, which he can, I believe. He has lived such a life of secrecy that I believe that even reporting on his functioning is not part of his human software. Just my view, bias.
It has been quite a drain, strain, with a lot of mental combat for me over 3 + years now. I know about Thought Stopping, using distraction, etc. as coping strategies. I get no help from his daughter or her brother. The daughter from the second marriage, and hubby, have driven here + / - 10 hours 2, maybe 3, time so that we could take a vacation. The chronic nature of the day to day routine, without any encouragement and/or support sucks. Yes I have episodic bouts with anger.
Wha Wha Wha yeah yeah yeah ......
I could use a buddy or 12. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Believing I will get some feedback.
al
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Hi @celestesmith74. Welcome to Connect. It certainly sounds as if you have a lot on your plate. There are many caring supportive people here. Are you acting as a caregiver currently? Are you looking for help/conversation in a particular area? I wasn't quite sure about the specifics.
Al, just re-read your post, you have been doing this for 3 1/2 years...could FIL get "respite care" occasionally at a care center? YOU need a break Al from your routine. When my husband of 50 years was on hospice, I was told that his hospice group would pay for time ever so often if I needed it....it was offered, not needed or wanted ever, he was easy to care for. Could hospice be an option for you? Imagine your world is getting smaller isn't it.
Hello @celestesmith74 I'm Scott and it's nice to e-meet you here!
I am sorry to read of all your travails, but welcome you to Mayo Connect! It is a great community loaded with folks who love to listen and often offer hints, tips, and always broad shoulders! I am glad you are here!
I was my wife's caregiver for 14 years while she battled brain cancer and can fully understand how you describe life. When we are caring for others it is truly a house of cards --- when the tiniest thing changes the whole house comes down -- and you have had some very major changes and challenges. Congrats for keeping on!
Keep in touch and let us know how your studies go! It sounds interesting and promising!
I love to write and find it quite therapeutic! Are you able to keep writing too?
Yes, my world barely extends beyond the yard. No vols from hospice available at this time. W/O toileting independence he is then ineligible for adult day care. Thanks
Hi @godsgiver I can relate to your comment a ton. For the last 6 years of caregiving my only trips outside of our home was once a month to the barbershop and grocery. The isolation can be crushing for sure! There was also no volunteer care (and until home hospice) no paid help who would work with her due to her psychological/emotional challenges. It can be a tough go for sure!
I wish you all the best as you continue this journey.
I am glad you found Connect and I hope it is helpful -- it was a wonderful support for me while I was actively caregiving!
Stength, courage, and peace!
@godsgiver ...Just a thought. I mean perhaps your patient is directing unfavorably to you since you are familiar. My husb is so different with nurses and others. I am trying to "wrap my head around our situation" accepting that our close interaction on a daily basis is the reason. I'm trying not to take it ""personally "".
I agree with your view, @dianajane My wife's neuro-oncologist frequently reminded me patients often lash out at those they are the most safe and secure with, which often means those they are closest to in their lives.
Doesn't make it any easier, but at least made it more understandable for me.
Strength, courage, and peace!
12/4/18 re: 11/29/18 It has been a very tough week ! Temporary, situational, meds stalled his BM's.
Once I remembered the meds' impact here, I informed him of it and presented corrective action at the same time. Before I knew it, his instant on rebellion, dismissal, of my input flourished into yelling. This so severely hit my button ... and they're off into an argument on this. It evolved my stance to express frustrations, anger, regarding his position, behavior, of an absence of any sort of personal respect demonstrated toward me.
I asked my wife, his daughter, to join us. She leaned on the door frame and I don’t believe she spoke at all and very, very, little on this since. Note, this is normal for her as if the acorn doesn’t fall from the tree.
I expressed to him my self-loathing, guilt, over losing my cool, venting, that day. I added that it will take me a week to get over this. I had, have, unwanted and ongoing, active, intrusive, mental replays, videos, and/or creations of new scenes. This still operates for me. A week may not be enough, ... Thy will be done ! This 30 - 60:00 minutes has such an ongoing hangover.
Prayer has helped me to return to the provision of care from a stance of dignity and respect toward him. This comes from a place greater than me. The words that come out of my mouth, my approach to care giving surprises me, catches me off guard, in a positive manner. This is surprising and welcomed by me. However, the ongoing mental attacks, battles, pop up regularly. I use prayer, Thought Stopping, Cognitive Restructuring, and distraction to derail these mental battles, with success. I wish I wouldn’t have to call upon these strategies, multiple times a day, to move through the battles, working to maximize creating a good day for me. I do this daily, wash, rinse, repeat ………
PS I have been told my writing is Faulknarian, Faulkner. Apparently he was gifted with run on sentences.
@godsgiver If your father-in-law had been clear enough in his own mind to seek words to tell you that he understands your frustration and offered you consolation in that respect, perhaps you would not have had the issues that you have related. My sympathy to you for experiencing all this, and my gratitude for you sharing here with your cyber friends. We are here for you!
Ginger
@godsgiver Tough situation -- and all I can add, which is not much, is you are not alone. I believe every caregiver I have ever spoken to relates times when their patient lashes out at them and how impactful those times are.
It is a tough assignment and I know there were times caring for my wife that I resorted to taking out my frustrations on an old feather pillow I kept in the living room for just such occasions. Never changed the feelings, but did relieve some of my tension 🙂
I wish you continued strength, courage, and peace