In 2016, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer as well. And instead of heading home like planned...I stayed to take care of my Mom too. Some would think, this time around would be easier. But it hasn't been. There are plenty of challenges, that I face on a daily occurrence. I have more knowledge of how the system works, what to expect, and how to navigate through it all. But it's just as challenging.
I started the Love Caregivers part of our foundation, in 2015. When we began our foundation. I knew from experience...just how difficult and lonely it is to be a caregiver.
Caregiver: A caregiver or informal caregiver is an unpaid and without formal training, member of a person's social network who helps them with activities of daily living. Caregiving is most commonly used to address impairments related to old age, disability, a disease, or a mental disorder.
By definition, you know it's going to be tough. But I don't think anyone REALLY knows how difficult the journey is going to be. I know I didn't. At all! Even though, we helped take care of plenty of relatives before.
As part of the Love Caregivers movement, for the past 5 years I've been sending out cards, care packages, and giftcards...to caregivers and children of sick families. I began my work, in my Dad's hospital room. After years of connecting, with other caregivers.
I knew firsthand, how tough long stays in the hospital could be. How lonely, the long weeks at home would become. And how not many people, really understood what I was going through.
During my Dad's last year of life, we joined a Support Group. At our Cancer Center. It was life changing! And I'd strongly suggest, you to do the same. Once a week, we'd meet at the Cancer Center. My Dad was never too thrilled. But immediately following his diagnosis, we were asked to attend. The doctors in our Cancer Center really know, how to take care of the entire family.
My Dad, Mom, and I would go. His doctor noticed his resistance. And immediately started scheduling his appointments, to coincide with the Support Group. The meetings were about 2 hours long. They provided lunch. Only patients and their caregivers were allowed.
And it was a completely safe place. To discuss everything. From diagnosis, to treatment, to end of life care. Patients could talk to each other about what they were going through. Caregivers could support one another. And all of our team (doctors, nurses, PT, PT, psychologists, therapists, financial representatives, insurance people, etc.) would attend. Each week, one of them would lead a small discussion.
It was a life changing experience. There is no other way to put it. These people, became my safety net. And after my Dad's death, I still attended for a few months. They supported me through my grief. And I was a wealth of knowledge...for people on this journey. While my Mom worked, I would go to the meetings. It saved my life. And me from having a breakdown.
With all of this, I realized the need for a safe space. To talk. To go to for answers. To be supportive. That's where this space was born from. I started on Facebook. And chatted with people through email. But I see the need for this space.
In 2020, I want to blog more often. Talk about the topics and questions, that I receive. I feel like, so many families are looking for answers. And I can give you, some of the things I've learned along the way. The tough stuff. The financial stuff. The emotional stuff.
If you have questions, please feel free to leave me a comment, send me an email, or reach out to me on social media. I want to be part of your safety net. And I'm here to tell you, whatever your journey is...you will get through it. There might be bumps in the road...but you will make it. 💜
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