HI again, @gilliland1102 I, too, had no idea of the immense stress of caregiving until I was thrust into it.

I grew up in an alcoholic family and not until my later adult years did my dad ever agree to treatment. When he did, I participated in all the family therapy sessions (all three times he tried treatment). Personally, I came out of all of that an aficionado of the 12 Steps and the mantra of "one day at a time". My belief in taking caregiving one day at a time was my saving grace. I had no idea how long I could be my wife's caregiver, but each morning I'd say to myself -- today is only one day, and I can do one day. This belief also helped me accept that my wife was very likely going to basically be a different person each day, but that person might only last one day.

A long-time friend of mine sent me a quote early on in my caregiving lifetime. It is "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is simply the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering 'I will try again tomorrow'".

Strength, Courage, & Peace