I never thought I would experience it again. In the past couple weeks, I've been riding the emotional roller coaster of caregiving again.
It’s funny how fast you forget about those firsts.
First, let me tell you about my Mom. I’m blessed to have a great mother-daughter relationship. She is an energizer bunny and social butterfly. The one that is always willing to help. She is the hard working blue collar worker with her own cleaning business. She is still cleaning small apartments at age 79.
She was married to Dad 57 years until he passed in 2018. They both traveled, enjoyed spending time together and spent 15 winters in Arizona.
Mom and I did some Mother Daughter trips to Jamaica, Arizona, Minneapolis and Branson
In the last 3 years I watched my Mom transform from a struggling widow to a strong, independent, happy woman. If you follow me on Facebook, you 'll see our Sunday Fundays together. When I visit her at her senior apartment, her phone is always ringing and someone is knocking on her door.
But now, she is faced with cancer. I noticed over the last month that she wasn’t feeling well and then the biopsy confirmed it. We are still waiting for test results this week to find out the formal diagnosis, treatment options and recommendations.
The one thing I learned in the last three years is that I'm a better caregiver advocate to grow a team and find resources
You need people that will stick with you through thick and thin. People you can lean on and help you through this challenging time.
Why should you build a team?
Unfortunately this is my 4th round of my loved one’s cancer diagnosis
As my mom is going through her tests, biopsy, scans and doctor appointments. I’ve been journaling and thinking about forming the team.
Get my free journaling prompts
Start with you the primary caregiver. Journal:
Then move into what kind of support you have? What support your loved one needs?
Now list your "I believe statement"
Then move to
I encourage you to journal where you're at in your journey. Journal what you want and what you don’t want. There is no guarantee or promises that it will all go as planned or as visioned but when you get real with yourself, believe and reflect, you’ll be able to see things with a different lens.
Two other helpful links
3 Stages of Caregiver Stress
What's your caregiver style?
Remember: it’s important to fill your cup first. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take time for yourself each day and make yourself a priority so you can reduce that overwhelm and find joy in this caregiver life.
