What a Difference a Year Makes!

A year ago, Jeanne was hospitalized.  She was admitted on July 31 with an infection.  While in the hospital, she fought through pneumonia, seizures, coma and, oh yeah...the infection she was admitted for.  There were times during her 6-week hospitalization when no one was really sure that Jeanne was coming back home.  But, as anyone who knows her can attest, Jeanne may be just 5'2" and a shade over 100 pounds, but she's tough. 

And so, with the exception of a week in the hospital around Christmas, Jeanne is still at home.  And she's still tough.  There are days when I wish I could take on some (or all) of her fight.  But that's Jeanne's path, and not the path that I'm on.  Instead, I try to make sure she's comfortable every day.  I make sure that we have all of the care-related "supplies" that we need to have on hand.  I make sure we're well-stocked when it comes to her meds.  I make sure that the TV in our bedroom is tuned to the sitcoms that she seems to be able to follow best.  And I sometimes find myself wishing that my list of 'caregiving chores" was considerably longer than this.  This is one of those days, where I feel myself wanting to do more for her, and then realize that there isn't more to be done.

And so I remember the last thing on my caregiving list.  I remember to smile.  Even when I don't always feel like it, it's the very least that I can do and the very least that Jeanne deserves.  Just like that infection that she had to deal with a year ago, a smile can be contagious, too.

Comments

[Relative/caregiver]

Saw your blog mentioned in Momentum MS magazine. Already, I have found it helpful. Your post of Aug. 13th, reminds me of things I CAN do -- including remembering to smile.

[Terri Hastings]

Being the person living with ms, I liked reading your life of being the caregiver. While, I'm not as disabled as Jeannie, I have watched and felt many things disapear from our daily life. I appreciate hearing the other half

Terri Hastings

[Sasha]

I just wanted to share with you this site I found, www.thecaringspace.com
It is a site that gives free exposure of your professional, online profile and resume. There’s also easy to use tools to help caregivers find and evaluate caregiving positions in their area. You will have access to the entire network of available positions. Check out the site or email contact@thecaringspace.com for more information.