When Caregiver Becomes the Patient

Those of you who know me well know that the last two years have been a medical nightmare for me.  The good news is there is light at the end of that tunnel.  A surgery in my future.

Since caregiving has become a big part of my life again, although in a reverse roll, the book I wrote in 2014 has reclaimed my attention.  Being a semi-invalid has caused me to relish activities that were once at the bottom of my TO DO list.

I am delighted to show you my new and improved website.  One I can actually be proud of. Take a look.  Click on the link below. I ask you to hold my hand, but don’t rub it . . .

Hold My Hand . . .

 

but remember not to rub it . . .

Caregiver Retreat A Life-Saver

Duet Arizona sponsored a day retreat for caregivers on Friday March 20.  It was a refreshing success for 25 attendees who enjoyed massages, food and life-changing information.  Read the details  here

Caring for the Caregiver

Mom’s Last Mother’s Day

 

 

Caregiver Support finds The Blue Guitar

The Blue Guitar Magazine

Every caregiver needs a support group. You may think you don’t, but you do.

See page 79 of the Arizona Consortium For the Arts magazine The Blue Guitar for details.

http://www.theblueguitarmagazine.org/resources/Blue+Guitar+Spring+2015_FINAL.pdf

Proactive Caregiving (While You Still Can Ask For Help)

Caregivers never want to “bother anyone” because it’s “not bad enough yet.”

I hear this so many times in the group that I facilitate that I took the challenge last week.

“So,” I said after hearing an account of falling in which the caregiver and her husband with advanced Alzheimer’s  both sustained bruises and bloody limbs.  He fell into the front flowerbed and could not get up by himself.  She reached down to hoist him up and ended up catapulted against a concrete wall when he proved too heavy for her to lift.

“If you had a sore tooth, you would wait until there was pus coming out of your gums and you were delirious with throbbing pain before you called the dentist?”  There was silence from the eight caregivers in my living room.  I continued, “You know it isn’t going to get any better by itself.”

It’s hard to ask for help.  I know it so well.  But when a loved one becomes more and more unable to help with transfers, when he is too weak and falls often, his caregiver is risking her own good health if she doesn’t make arrangements for assistance.

Caregiving Like It Is

Honest caregiver talk Part 2 hits home.  Listen to this chat to overcome that isolated, overwhelmed feeling. Rebecca asks such probing questions.  I told it all.  Try to forget what has changed.  Don’t stew about the future.  Focus on the golden moments.  An inspiring estate sale around Mt. Tabor Park.  An artist who left behind an ink and white paper drawing.

Caregiver Chat at Improvement Radio

Mom’s last Mother’s Day at Crystals Springs.

Attention Caregivers in Tempe AZ

Survival tips for caregivers are on the shelf at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S McClintock, Tempe AZ.  Life begins at 40 there.

Changing Hands Books Store in Tempe

If they have sold out, just ask for More Than I Could Ever Know:  How I Survived Caregiving.”

 

Library Selfie

I returned a book at the library a few days ago and almost ran into a tripod at the front door. They have posted my Jan 14 book signing event. I hope it’s warmer than it is today on Jan 14 at 1 PM. It was 33 degrees last night here in the Valley of the Sun.

Book Signing
Jan 14, 2015 at 1 PM

The Ups and Downs of Caregiving

Title Survey

I had a title for my caregiver book long before I finished writing it. It was a title I was in love with because it was the center of my relationship with Rich. It was down-to-earth, direct, but with a hint of humor. It came from his words to me at the end of Chapter 10– “Hold My Hand, But Don’t Rub It.”

My editor convinced me that the real “ah, ha” moment of my book happens later in Chapter 17 (Last Call). And that is the title that made it to the cover.

I wonder what readers think. Do you like the current title “More Thank I Could Ever Know” or do you think “Hold My Hand, But Don’t Rub It” better?

Book Review of “More Thank I Could Ever Know: How I Survived Caregiving”

Caregiver’s Voice has reviewed my book with some interesting comments. She highlighted the love story.

http://thecaregiversvoice.com/tcv-review/the-caregivers-voice-review-more-than-i-could-ever-know/

Caregiving–The Book

At long last, my caregiver book is a reality.

“More Than I Could Ever Know:
How I Survived Caregiving” is on Amazon.com.

Use the LOOK INSIDE feature to check it out.

https://www.createspace.com/4666460