Camper

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Thanks Diana. I'm kinda off topic - it is supposed to be camping - LOL - so I will say that despite all his physical ailments, we still love to go camping!!!

In addition to heart failure, he is an insulin dependent diabetic (he wears an insulin pump), he also has moderate kidney failure, and he has a pacemaker with an internal defibrillator. He has asthma and significant lung damage from a fungal infection a few years ago. Two years ago, one of his lungs collapsed spontaneously, they never could tell us why. He had open heart surgery with four bypasses. He has had two significant heart rhythm problems resulting in hospitalizations. He's been in the hospital 8 times in the past 4 1/2 years. He is also hearing impaired and wears bilateral aids due to many years using power saws in his work as a carpenter. All the ailments just do not seem fair - he's never drank or smoked. He has never been overweight. He got plenty of exercise in his work as a carpenter - he just has BAD GENES!!!

Despite all this, we are still working on our bucket list - going CAMPING every chance we get!!!

Wow Gayle, you're dealing with a lot. How are you doing? Your husband is probably getting a lot of attention from everyone with all of his ailments. Are you doing alright? It sounds like you're handling everything alright but you know that if you ever need anything to let me know!

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Wow Gayle, you're dealing with a lot. How are you doing? Your husband is probably getting a lot of attention from everyone with all of his ailments. Are you doing alright? It sounds like you're handling everything alright but you know that if you ever need anything to let me know!

You are so sweet Diana! In fact, I have studied and worked with family caregivers for the past 16 years in my work as a nurse, educator and researcher. Although I can clearly see what is going on, it is difficult to "take care of myself". I have to work - and I love my job - but it can be stressful and overwhelming at times. I'm very lucky though in that I can work at home and be available by phone if I need to be home or at the hospital. Clearly though, I was experiencing symptoms of caregiver overload and burnout this past year.

You see, my 86 year old mom has also lived with me for the past 6 years. She had a small stroke, her vision was affected, and she couldn't see to drive and lived in rural Oklahoma with no social services, thus, couldn't manage on her own without being able to drive, so she moved to Texas with me. This past spring, my daughter asked if she could come stay with her (for a variety of reasons) - we thought maybe for 6 months, but she is going to stay longer. I'm not sure how long. It was a great relief to me - I didn't realize how much of a relief it would be.

I have to learn to take my own advice, which is sometimes hard. If I've said once, I've said a zillion times to caregivers, "you must take care of yourself or you won't be able to take care of your loved one". I've been living that - but am doing much much better now!

Thanks so much for asking and for caring.