Givers and Takers - letting off steam

Posted by kartwk @kartwk, Nov 2 5:37pm

Today my cousin, whose husband has been suffering with ALS for years called. She was, once again looking for a shoulder and I was it. I listened to her, grievances, concerns, crying etc. for several hours. Oh he was diagnosed with cancer now and can't have any treatments because of the other thing. What is she going to do without him? For years she has claimed to be looking for a ranch home because the stairs are a killer for her H. to deal with but never seems to find one. I once, during one of these conversations mentioned I was having difficulty finding someone to help with housework and right away, once it wasn't about her she had to go.

After the call ended It occurred to me that she never asked how I was, never asked about my H and how he was doing....nothing. She has no idea how my husband has deteriorated, how I have deteriorated and the things I have posted here because if it isn't about her and her plight she has no time.

Point being, I am teed off about this.

Question - I feel used and would it be terrible if I just stopped talking to her when she calls? I get 2-3 calls a month from her like this.
Yes, her husband is in bad shape, and it is tough, but I am floundering through a lot of the same problems.
I have given her support and suggestions, but I realize now that she has never done any such thing for me. A total taker...and I am a tired giver.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

Profile picture for Scott R L @scottrl

Yikes.
Well, there's no law that says you have to answer the phone.
If you do, start by saying, "I'm so glad you called!" Then begin a long litany of what's going on in your life. Spare no details.
Then wrap it up with, "Thanks for listening. Gotta go!" Click.
She'll get the hint.

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@scottrl
What good advice. It made me laugh. Thank you for that. I thought when I was reading it, why don't you block the phone number..hence no ring for a call that does not lift you up! I don't mean to be callous but, sometimes it is just another thing for us to do with alot of caregiver responsibilities. Again, thank you!

REPLY

Put your oxygen mask on first! Always take care of you first. It’s ok to step back from being the sounding board. Seriously, my best friend did almost the same thing to me for about 10 years. I stepped back for about 5 years. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Ya know what? She found someone else to spill all of her “stuff” on.
We all have issues and we all have limits. Take control of the situation. It’s ok to put your mask on first.
I promise

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