Apologies for my prolonged absence. I've been fighting a particularly nasty virus for which there isn't any specific treatment other than to wait it out. But this very circumstance has led me to today's post -- what happens when a caregiver gets sick?
In the course of caring for Jeanne over the past several years, I've had my share of colds, "bugs", etc. But this was the first time that I've been driven to bed...and the doctor's office...due to illness. It was the first time that I knew it was time to give Jeanne her meds or her feeding tube feeding and just felt as though I couldn't possibly find the energy to do it. And that made it a scary time.
As far as Jeanne's care, I took advantage of an agency that supplies at-home care, and had someone come in on my worst days. I turned to the Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for additional "logistical" support. As far as my own care, I'm fortunate to have friends and neighbors who kept me supplied with soup and support. And for that, I'm continually grateful. This entire experience forced me to come face-to-face with every aspect of the support community that Jeanne and I rely on. And if there is such a thing, I was happily humbled to see how all of the disparate moving parts, people and organizations worked so well to keep us afloat.
While I'm not at 100% health yet, today my fever seems to have finally subsided. My prognosis? Today, this patient is feeling better and feeling extremely grateful.
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