On the National Multiple Sclerosis Society web page, I noticed the following promotion for NATIONAL CAREGIVER’S MONTH:
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MS and Home Caregivers
"...one of the things that I think is really helpful when you're a caregiver, is to ask yourself, why am I a caregiver? Is it out of love? Is it out of duty or sacrifice, out of necessity, or out of a need for approval? I think at the beginning of a caregiver journey that the more honest you are with your emotions and with your thoughts, the easier it will be for you when you come to a time when you face something that's very difficult for you to do or something that you feel that you really cannot do."
— Karen Henderson, Caregiving specialist/caregiver's advocate
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Personally, I still do not know why. I know only that each day begins with choice. I do know that as every day, every week, every month, and every year passes the progression only increases and the challenge only grows.
“Journey” is a good description, “odyssey” might be better. I wouldn’t put much faith in “how honest you are with your emotions” and other new age psychobabble. Though I imagine it could work for some.
“True Grit” is what it takes.
True grit
true: 'trü: steadfast, loyal
grit: 'grit: firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding in the face of hardship
Important also is to remember the people who HAVE TRIED whether it be for one day or a decade or more and then choose not to try.
Caregiving is unpredictable. The variables both internal and external that effect that daily decision of choice are constantly changing.
Caregiving is probably the most difficult thing a person can do. Well, for me I think that's the case. Sometimes I wonder if I am really cut out to be a good caregiver over a very long time.
ReplyDeleteI have been doing this for years and just didn't classify it as "caregiving". This more recent stressful caregiving is different. Before it was wound care,,etc. Now it is everything. But for us it is a "journey" together. The all night sessions with nasua, pain, sleeplessness are just another kind of togetherness. I am grateful I can do the caregiving at this point. Right now it is not quite 2 am and we are having medication and food, since Jack was too sick to take medication and food yesterday afternoon and into the night. I am hoping this stays where it belongs, and oh thank goodness for coke and limes. How useless to examine our reasons for doing this thing. We do it because we are who we are, and not everyone can.
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