I have mentioned in the past that I am my father's caregiver. It is stressful and tiring. It is the reason I have not posted on any of my sites more often. When a spare minute happens I close my eyes and "sleep" for that moment. I will not complain about doing this. I'm honored to take care of my dad. But oh for a good nights sleep.
Don't forget those who are sick. Do not be afraid of their illness. Call them, send cards, visit them...remember them.
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Ahh, to sleep, to sleep with a warm cat and a small bell at your side to ring, knowing someone will come. Still asleep? No matter, your readers will creep quietly though the old stories until another day.
ReplyDeleteI remember a bell just like this that my mother always put at the side of my bed when I was sick, and I was sick a lot as a child. The bell was well used.
DeleteI hope you can get some rest - and can continue to care for your dad. My dad is sick too - it's been a hard winter between the horrid winter weather and his illness.
ReplyDeleteIt's so very hard watching their lives slowly transform into something you had actually expected.
DeleteWe had my wife's father live with us for a while that ended up to be 7 years. People do not even begin to understand the time it takes and the tired that you feel. I wish you the best. Larry
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is complex and tiring, but it puts you in touch with a side of yourself you might not have expected was there.
DeleteHaving done this over the last 20 years I know exactly what you are dealing with. It is very consuming. Now that all ours have passed on, I sometimes am amazed at the time I have, but other things fill it up. Be well and enjoy those naps, you really need them. It is a tiring duty.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am amazed at the fears I have conquered while doing this. I surprised myself years ago when taking care of my mother. I'd have thought myself a much weaker person.
DeleteWise thoughts and kind words. Here's hoping you get a good nights' sleep soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Not enough sleep for sure, but I figure I'll catch up eventually.
DeleteWhen my momma had her first heart attack, I was so glad to look after her till she could go back home. But with 4 young children in our home, I think that she did not sleep all that well. I know many young people who are in the so-called 'sandwich generation' whereas they are still raising children and caring for a parent. I think that you and they are gems in our world today. perhaps when your dad naps, you could try to do the same. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI'm much older than the sandwich generation. I guess you could say I've reached the early bird special buffet stage.
DeleteWhat "scares" me the most is being in charge of things like infusions. Until I got used to it it terrified me. But that's the way medicare works these days. Either the patient themselves has to do it or a family member/friend.
Your dad is very lucky to have you. I hope you can catch up on some proper sleep soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. Last night several hours of sleep. Yeehaw!!!
DeleteI can easily sympathize. I cared for my mother who had Parkinson's Disease for the last years of her life. When I had to be out of the room we used a Radio Shack bell that had a small handheld pushbutton that rang a remote bing-bong chime that I carried in my shirt pocket. Some small shops use the same bing-bong chime for their door alert when a customer enters. It still haunts me. For a long time, I couldn't even go into a shop that used that chime.
ReplyDeleteShe got to live in her own home in her last years and that was important to her. I am glad I was able to help her.
The buzzer sounds like a good idea, but I can imagine how it got etched into your brain. I used to have an alarm clock that sounded just like the big bell they rang at the high school. More than once it woke me up and I took off running down the hall thinking I was heading to another class only to find myself in my pjs going nowhere.
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