Welcome to the World of Family Caregiving
Excerpt from my book: Coming Home to Yourself, Care for the Caregivers
December 2003…… Christmas vacation. Celebrating Christmas five years into our new married life. Our favorite holiday. Great food, beautiful Christmas Tree, fun and funny gifts and then our New Years' resolutions.
January 2004… First day back at work…a slip and fall…x-rays…a doctor appointment…a referral to an oncologist…the beginning of our journey…
Excerpt from our book:
"A cold gloomy winter's day. January 9th. A new year full of promise for exercising more and eating less, scraping down the popcorn ceiling, an unfulfilled promise from last year's resolutions, and talk of living a more mindful life which made us smile as we clinked our champagne glasses."
"Doc Jacobs had been my primary care provider for many years before Gary and I married. He always wore a smile and had a joke when he entered an exam room. But this morning he wasn't smiling. His face was ashen, his eyes serious. I clasped my hands squeezing hard, hoping to keep myself together. I knew something was terribly wrong. Gary made a joke as he usually does, but Doc Jacobs didn't smile and got right down to business about the x-ray…and the referral "hematologist? We both asked in unison. Why not an orthopedist? "
That’s how I was born into Caregiving. The only job I never had to apply for, never needed an interview or a resume. Experience not required. I became a Caregiver that day.
And as always, if you have any questions you can email me at amy.caregiver.mentor@gmail.com
Excerpt from my book: Coming Home to Yourself, Care for the Caregivers
October 20