Happy Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all the Caregivers who have become a part of Caregivers Community and who have been so supportive of me and of each other.

We all need friends who understand what we are going through as Family Caregivers and I am eternally thankful for all of you.

For those of you who are celebrating today, remember to breath and take a break when you can! Ask for help, and accept it when it's offered!

Know that those you care for are thankful for you (Even if they don't always show it!).

So: Happy Turkey Day to all!...I'm off to mash potatoes! (My husband is peeling!)

Liz

The PT Parade!

Well, PT had started....and boy am I sore!
I have a bunch of home exercises to do...as well as my "normal" caregiving duties to continue.

It's interesting that when my back went out, people told me to "be careful."
Yeah....I'll try, but I still need to get Maman in & out of bed, take her to the bathroom, boost her up in her wheel chair, etc, etc....and I don't always have help available.

So....a caregiver's work is never done! (Although I do thank goodness have some help during the weekdays!)

So, you get hurt, you start to heal & you go on....yep...life as a caregiver! ;-)

Till next time, Peace!

Liz

The Physical Toll of Caregiving

It started routinely enough...

Last Sunday I was boosting Maman up in her wheelchair...and then I proceeded to fall to the floor in pain....It took me 15 minutes to get up off the floor, and that only with the help of my husband.

I had to call a friend to get Maman into bed that night because I could barely move.

An MRI a few days later showed that I now have 2 bulging disks in my lower back (between L3/L4 & L4/L5 for you medical types!). Frankly this really sucks.

I was put on 3 different meds which I stopped 6 days later because of the side effects, so now it's up to me to manage the pain...all while dealing with the reality of still having to care for Maman.

Have you ever noticed that as a caregiver, people tell you to "be careful?" Well, yeah, I'm trying, but the reality is that Maman still needs care & I ned to keep living my life...so I just take it one day at a time...and a glass of wine with dinner (now that I'm off the meds! ;-)

I start PT today...we'll see how much that helps...

How have you dealt with the the physical toll of Caregiving?

Welcome!

Hi!
Welcome to the Caregivers Community Blog! If you've come here from my website www.caregiverscommunity.com, GREAT! If you found me another way, awesome! I'm glad you're here!

I've been a Family Caregiver for almost 12 years...November 17th will mark the 12 year anniversary of my mom's hemorrhagic stroke. She's been in a Wheelchair since. Then, within a year of Maman's stroke (OK...Just so you know "Maman" is French for Mom & that's what I call her..."Mom" just doesn't fit! ;-) Papa (aka: Dad) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's....You can get all the gory details...OK not really gory...just long winded...At http://www.caregiverscommunity.com/aboutus.html
Grab a cup of coffee, or a bottle of wine, and stay a while!

Anyway, this will be the place that I'll be venting, asking for input and hopefully sharing some useful info & insights for family caregivers anywhere/everywhere!

So, welcome! And let me know what you'd like to talk about!

Liz