Mitch,
Being the caretaker takes its toll on anyone. It is especially difficult when the caretaker has their own health condition as well—mine being fibromyalgia.
We knew our roles, before:
you were the caretaker and I was the patient. Now that the tables have turned, it has been interesting. Luckily, with all the practices I had in place prior to your cancer, I haven’t had a flare last longer than usual. Even though I have learned to take care of myself and know what I need, it is easy to put you and your health above my health—but if I do that, I can’t take care of you the way I want or you need.
Even though I tried hard to make sure I did not cancel any of my treatments, it was hard to keep all of them when I was in charge of all the packing, moving to the new house, renovations of the new house, taking on the things you normally did before cancer, and taking care of you. I pushed myself silly before your surgery because I wanted to make sure you had a home that you could recuperate in peacefully.
I was exhausted emotionally and physically by the time your surgery came around.
The time you spent in the hospital was also my time to rest and rebuild my strength. Thank goodness, Lexi was there with us. She was able to be at the hospital with you, while I went to the hotel to rest and get a couple therapeutic massages. I felt selfish doing these things, but I knew if I didn’t, it would not be good for either of us. Your understanding of this made it easier.
I would have been even more spent had it not been for all the amazing family and community members…
that showed up to help paint and move us after I put out a call for help on Facebook. That was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did it. The best word to describe that whole experience is HUMBLED. And yet it seems so small for the overwhelming feeling we had for all those people showing up to lend us a hand. We are beyond blessed!
