Are you watching this wonderful documentary to support Caregivers?

@jal333
I always thought my wife would be my care giver when I came down with heart failure 25 years ago. Then I had prostate cancer. But that is not what happened. My HF is stable, and I beat (at least for now) my prostate cancer.

My wife about 5 years ago started having real health problems. She developed anxiety/panic disorder. Then developed diabetes after having 3 stomach surgeries that damaged her vagus nerve. Then she (tremendous back pain) had to have spinal fusion surgery. Then had to have sinus surgery. Now her diabetes is still not under control and developed damage to a eye nerve which caused double vision. Can't have surgery to repair it until we get her A1C down below 8 so has to wear an eye patch (which really affects her quality of life). With the digestive issues (has gastrio paresis from diabetes) just can't get it there.

I find myself sometimes overwhelmed. I am lucky to have a great health care team at Mayo Jacksonville. One of my specialist is a psychiatric medication specialist who I can talk to and get help as I need it. What keeps me going is hoping we can get her diabetes under control and get her eye surgery . We as a team can handle everything else but those two things are a real battle for us.

I sometimes have bad days, don't feel well, have symptoms but I have to keep them at bay. My spouse cannot handle more stress and anxiety. I use my Mayo doctors and specialist to guide me and some of that guidance is medications. When I can I go to water aerobics and enjoy the exercise. It seems to recharge my batteries and I come home with a smile ready to be a care giver.