#26 Loving lessons from a Caregiver

I learned that our memories are dynamic, personal and connected. Stuff is lifeless, static and only infused with what we need it to represent.
In Living on the Verge of Insanity, my memoir, I discuss the year that Alan was in a nursing home. What to do with all his things? How to keep him in my heart? How to reclaim my life? Taking peeks at the future.....
That year especially was a rich time of discovery, change and growth mingled with tears and loss.

#22 Loving lessons from a Caregiver

I learned that I was running out of energy towards the end of caring for Alan. At the same time, as his body failed, more was being asked of me. That's where help is so important. The earlier the better.
Caregiving can go on for several days, weeks or in my case years. Exhaustion is a typical symptom for the caregiver and other health issues can spring from this exhaustion including accidents and weak immune responses. I ended up on crutches with stitches in my heel. Was I rushing? Was I paying attention? Was I tired and stressed?
My memoir Living on the Verge of Insanity describes how I slowly realized how much help I needed and how I found my support network to reduce my stress.