Thank you Becky. I think I am on two threads for caregivers. I'll figure it out, ha ha.
Our family and group of friends has unfortunately gotten quite small in the past 10 years. My sister died 9 years ago from Lung Cancer, my Dad died 6 years ago from cancer of the esophagus. That leaves me and one step sister for my Mom's care. My Mom lived 50 miles away (but an easy day drive) however she lives in the mountains in the house our family built and that's not the best situation any longer. I need to get her moved and don't mind doing that but I'm so busy trying not to drown in my day to day 'to do' list. My husband has a sister but she is in another state and can't help day to day. My MIL lives about 15 minutes away in a retirement community and is doing pretty well but recently had a mild stroke. At 92 years old, there will only be more support needed. My husband (even though sick) takes his Mom shopping and to do errands every week and we have her every Sunday for dinner. I handle all of the medical for them and my husband and myself. Again, I don't mind but the 'to do' list is pretty monsterous at this point.
We have good friends but have lost my husband's best friends one by one to various diseases and recently our closest friends moved out of state because they could both do better financially.
My husband and I are in our 60's so it seems like we're hitting this 'losing friends and family' pretty early.
We do have an incredible daughter who is 31 and whom we can count on at all times BUT, she has a full time job, a second part time job that is her passion and she runs a small business as well. I don't want to change her life at this point or burden her more than necessary. I want her to have a real opportunity to fulfill her dreams and have a great life. It's what I've devoted myself to since she was born and although I could call on her..........I don't want to get in the way of her progress in life at all. She is my rock though and the one I can really talk with about all of this. It doesn't hurt that she has an incredible sense of humor and is wise beyond her years.
We're kind of a ship adrift at sea and I'm the sad captain, ha ha.......
I have basically been a caretaker for 10 years straight now and also the major breadwinner and all around 'fix it' person for the family. I am running out of steam and beginning to lose my grip on all of this.
I'm sure there are others out there and I'm hopeful I'll get some new insight and support from this site. It's been invaluable to me as a breast cancer patient and survivor, so I'm glad I'm here and hope to share and get some perspective.
Hugs