Rick - What JoAnne and you have endured, as you relate it, reads like a fictional plot. But my wife is an RN / BSN and from her professional experience, yeah, things in a healthcare setting can get very, very out-of-control-bad and way too fast. But with you on her side, and apparently a lot of grace, she has survived. And you have survived your health issues.
We readers of Ham Radio for Preppers (and fellow Hams in general) are glad to have you back, offering your perspective, in any capacity. Share what you can, when you can.
I have an inkling of what you have gone through by way of taking care of my mother for nearly two years. Really, it was mainly my spouse who did the heavy work while I continued working during that time. But what we went through was nothing, *nothing* as severe as what you have endured. It's a lot of weight to carry when it feels like you are the only person looking out for the well-being of a loved one who is getting jerked around by various health care professionals.
Worrying about blog subscribers? If I was in your place, I would put that out of my mind. Those who are gracious enough to understand will understand.
One of the hardest lessons is that caregivers need to take care of themselves, because who cares for the caregivers when they are "all in" with their loved one? We let up on some of our own self-care in order to give our loved one the most we can give. It's a terrible bit of personal calculus with feelings of guilt no matter what you do.
Be well, Rick, and very best wishes for more equilibrium, hope, and joy.
Tom, thank you for your message. I DO appreciate the caregiver syndrome NOW. I didn't before. Now, I "get it".
But, I've been a writer most of my life (and never made much money at it, implying I'm a crappy writer I suppose, haha) and know that when folks begin to count on an author or blogger for information, and the author suddenly cuts off his "fans" or subscribers, it's kind of a slap in the face to them. I've been on both sides of the equation, and I DO care about people in general. (I can't emphasize this enough, for in another life I was military and I shot back at some of them.....) lol
I feel like I've been gone too long without explanation and need to do it. I suppose it is a built in "duty" for me to have closure on something... I don't know, but don't think I did this simply BECAUSE I was worrying about others - even though I was. I did it to ensure that folks DO know that I was going through some rough times (and still am) but it comes down to this:
We only live once, Life is SHORT, and we MUST get in as much as we can before the end comes suddenly to us. So, I have DONE a lot of things in my life, but am FAR from done and I want to impart knowledge to the world if I can.
If I can help even ONE person to believe in life, in themselves, in others, to live, to love, to laugh, to LEARN, then I've accomplished something that few others do. I'm not famous. I never will be. I am rather infamous in some circles, but my family and friends who know me understand that I do for others before myself, always have, always will.
So, here I am again - ALL IN for everyone, not just as a caregiver for my wonderful, angel of a wife. And I promise to worry a bit more about myself, for there are those who need me more than I need myself and thus, myself must be cared for as well.
Rick - What JoAnne and you have endured, as you relate it, reads like a fictional plot. But my wife is an RN / BSN and from her professional experience, yeah, things in a healthcare setting can get very, very out-of-control-bad and way too fast. But with you on her side, and apparently a lot of grace, she has survived. And you have survived your health issues.
We readers of Ham Radio for Preppers (and fellow Hams in general) are glad to have you back, offering your perspective, in any capacity. Share what you can, when you can.
de Steve N8GNJ
Rick,
Glad you are ok and happy you are writing here again. Hope health improves for you and your wife quickly.
I enjoy your writing style and information sharing.
Tom
I have an inkling of what you have gone through by way of taking care of my mother for nearly two years. Really, it was mainly my spouse who did the heavy work while I continued working during that time. But what we went through was nothing, *nothing* as severe as what you have endured. It's a lot of weight to carry when it feels like you are the only person looking out for the well-being of a loved one who is getting jerked around by various health care professionals.
Worrying about blog subscribers? If I was in your place, I would put that out of my mind. Those who are gracious enough to understand will understand.
One of the hardest lessons is that caregivers need to take care of themselves, because who cares for the caregivers when they are "all in" with their loved one? We let up on some of our own self-care in order to give our loved one the most we can give. It's a terrible bit of personal calculus with feelings of guilt no matter what you do.
Be well, Rick, and very best wishes for more equilibrium, hope, and joy.
Best,
Tom KJ7T
KJ7T de N0NJY
Tom, thank you for your message. I DO appreciate the caregiver syndrome NOW. I didn't before. Now, I "get it".
But, I've been a writer most of my life (and never made much money at it, implying I'm a crappy writer I suppose, haha) and know that when folks begin to count on an author or blogger for information, and the author suddenly cuts off his "fans" or subscribers, it's kind of a slap in the face to them. I've been on both sides of the equation, and I DO care about people in general. (I can't emphasize this enough, for in another life I was military and I shot back at some of them.....) lol
I feel like I've been gone too long without explanation and need to do it. I suppose it is a built in "duty" for me to have closure on something... I don't know, but don't think I did this simply BECAUSE I was worrying about others - even though I was. I did it to ensure that folks DO know that I was going through some rough times (and still am) but it comes down to this:
We only live once, Life is SHORT, and we MUST get in as much as we can before the end comes suddenly to us. So, I have DONE a lot of things in my life, but am FAR from done and I want to impart knowledge to the world if I can.
If I can help even ONE person to believe in life, in themselves, in others, to live, to love, to laugh, to LEARN, then I've accomplished something that few others do. I'm not famous. I never will be. I am rather infamous in some circles, but my family and friends who know me understand that I do for others before myself, always have, always will.
So, here I am again - ALL IN for everyone, not just as a caregiver for my wonderful, angel of a wife. And I promise to worry a bit more about myself, for there are those who need me more than I need myself and thus, myself must be cared for as well.
Thank you, Tom.
73,
Rick, N0NJY