Post by peilynne on Nov 20, 2008 9:34:28 GMT -6
Hi
I'm Lynne, sci survivor, not a caretaker. I wish all of you the best, it's not easy being the caretaker. I always say, I didn't get sick, we got sick. My husband takes awesome care of me. He does get stressed out sometimes though, everything is on him, groceries, garbage, housework, getting me to my therapy, doc appts, etc, but he has been taking a day a week to himself lately, to go hunting, so that helps. We are getting used to the new normal. We just purchased a wheelchair accessible van so I'll be able to go grocery shopping and help him out, lol. As well, he'll be able to take me out to my parents for the day when he needs a break. We are looking into hiring a nurse as his coverage covers him for 10,000 a year. Right now we think we will wait as he is off work until Feb, then my mom usually stayed with me for a week at a time, but if we use that coverage, she should only have to come in the evenings. If you have that kind of coverage, look into using it, maybe all afternoons, just to give you a break. Everything is sorta learn as you go along, see what you can handle, see what you can't and seek out help in those areas. But definitely, find time for you. Anyway, my topic was babywipes. Buy these, we always have them in the house, very handy for bowel routines, whatever. I had them in the hospital since day 1, as I didn't want the nurses washing/wiping me with harsh/stiff hospital facecloths, as I didn't want any skin breakdowns. And if your spouse/patient is on a bowel routine, these r much softer and clean better than toilet paper. Use magic bullet suppositories instead of the reg ones, they work better and faster. It's uncomfortable to sit on commode/toilet for any length of time and contributes to hemorrhoids. Live and learn!
Anyway, my best to all you caretakers, it's not easy, but you do what you out out of love. But the caretakers need care and help too. And I'm sure many of you have friends/family members willing and wanting to help, just ask them.
Lynne
I'm Lynne, sci survivor, not a caretaker. I wish all of you the best, it's not easy being the caretaker. I always say, I didn't get sick, we got sick. My husband takes awesome care of me. He does get stressed out sometimes though, everything is on him, groceries, garbage, housework, getting me to my therapy, doc appts, etc, but he has been taking a day a week to himself lately, to go hunting, so that helps. We are getting used to the new normal. We just purchased a wheelchair accessible van so I'll be able to go grocery shopping and help him out, lol. As well, he'll be able to take me out to my parents for the day when he needs a break. We are looking into hiring a nurse as his coverage covers him for 10,000 a year. Right now we think we will wait as he is off work until Feb, then my mom usually stayed with me for a week at a time, but if we use that coverage, she should only have to come in the evenings. If you have that kind of coverage, look into using it, maybe all afternoons, just to give you a break. Everything is sorta learn as you go along, see what you can handle, see what you can't and seek out help in those areas. But definitely, find time for you. Anyway, my topic was babywipes. Buy these, we always have them in the house, very handy for bowel routines, whatever. I had them in the hospital since day 1, as I didn't want the nurses washing/wiping me with harsh/stiff hospital facecloths, as I didn't want any skin breakdowns. And if your spouse/patient is on a bowel routine, these r much softer and clean better than toilet paper. Use magic bullet suppositories instead of the reg ones, they work better and faster. It's uncomfortable to sit on commode/toilet for any length of time and contributes to hemorrhoids. Live and learn!
Anyway, my best to all you caretakers, it's not easy, but you do what you out out of love. But the caretakers need care and help too. And I'm sure many of you have friends/family members willing and wanting to help, just ask them.
Lynne
