Loretta Eidson, Author at Loretta Eidson

May 3, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Book Reviews

Mistaken Mountain Abduction is a powerhouse novel filled with action. The suspense kept me up late, turning the page. The hero and heroine were realistic, with a believable dilemma. Aggie Newton, former army lieutenant and helicopter pilot, becomes mortified when she discovers someone abducted her twin sister. What’s more eye-opening is the kidnappers took her while she was wearing Aggie’s coat. Someone had mistakenly taken the wrong twin. Who is after Aggie, and why? Aggie knows her ex-fiancé, Detective Bronson Young, is the best one to call. She could trust him to find her sister. Aggie willingly overlooks the past…

Apr 28, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregiver, Caregiving, Serve

When my husband and I were young parents, we designated that carefree time of life before the arrival of the first offspring as “BC” – before children. Before children we enjoyed spontaneous outings, a little extra spending money, and a good night’s sleep. But “after children”, everything changed. Grocery store trips required hours of preparation. Paychecks often ran out before the next payday. And we regularly navigated our days in a sleep-deprived state. Caring for little ones was tough. Then they grew to be teenagers and parenting stretched us to new lengths. Now, with our children grown, we can look…

Apr 21, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregivers, Caregiving, Faithful, Serving

What started out as an ordinary Friday night turned into a longer-than-decade caregiving journey with my husband. We were young, in our early 30s, forced to travel a road that many doctors couldn’t put a diagnosis to the symptoms he was struggling with daily. Because of that frustration, we began navigating a healthier alternative to his healing. One particular doctor’s appointment still stands out to me. I remember the doctor talking to me while my husband was out of the room, commending me for my continued support of him throughout the years. I didn’t understand exactly what she was saying,…

Apr 14, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: cancer, Caregiving, Cargivers, Commitment

There were so many things we talked about doing. We both believed that God had called us to build a thriving mission-minded ministry. We wanted to travel and one day retire to our front porch swing and watch the sunsets together. None of that mattered now. Or did it? My husband was sick, and I was his caregiver. Given what we were facing, what was I supposed to do with the unfulfilled dreams, hopes, and expectations? I had to choose whether to lean into what was required of me in that season or to live resentful and isolated. I’d like…

Apr 7, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: cancer, Caregivers, Caregiving, Respect, Serving

After mom passed away, dad grew weaker and didn’t get around well. He was determined to maintain his independence, so he refused to move in with us. Therefore, my sister, Tina, and I had to do tag-team caregiving. Tina worked a full-time job, and I was deep in caregiving for my husband, who had multiple health issues. Not to mention, I lived on the opposite side of town. We called him daily and made sure he had everything he needed, like easily prepared foods, his favorite beverages, a wheelchair, a rollator with a seat on it, a cane, a quad…

Mar 31, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregiver, Caregiving, Serving

Caregiving isn’t just for older people. In 2000, I began needing care at age 35 after falling down the stairs in our home. My husband Mark was launched into caregiving not only for me but full-time as well for our young daughters. After my fall, I developed a nerve-pain disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is very complex and excruciatingly painful. Any slight touch to the skin sent me over the moon in pain. Mark cared for me for five years until my symptoms diminished, and I could again care for myself. Then the unthinkable happened. After fully recovering…

Mar 24, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregiver, Caregiving, extraordinary moments, Giving

My father-in-law had been in the ICU for three days, unresponsive. His family had surrounded him throughout the days, for as long as we were allowed to be there. To my surprise, when my daughter and I arrived at the beginning of visiting hours on Thursday to take up another silent vigil, he was awake, alert, talking and so happy to see us. We were given the gift of two uninterrupted hours with him, holding his hands, and listening to him as he blessed each of our family members. He would not stop talking and reliving so many special events…

Mar 17, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregiving, Caregiving manager

What Hat Do You Wear After fifteen years of caring for four elderly family members, sometimes all at once, I learned the hard way there’s a big difference between caregiving and care-managing. An understanding of what “hat” you wear can be helpful to understand the tasks required, and hopefully to delegate some of those to share the load. Your “hat” also lets you communicate better with professionals involved in your loved one’s life. Most people know what is meant by primary caregiver (PCG)—a person(s) who does repetitive, daily, hands-on care of a loved one that includes: feeding bathing toileting giving…

Mar 10, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Caregiver, Caregiving, Special Needs

Thank you, Loretta, for inviting me to share my experience with caregiving. This is a much-needed topic for those who find themselves in the position of being a caregiver to a loved one. My experience as a caregiver started at a very young age. I can’t remember when I didn’t feel the overwhelming responsibility that comes with being a caregiver. My mother was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was only 12 years old. After being bedridden for a couple of years, she went into remission. Mother was from Cincinnati, Ohio, and my dad was from Opelika, Alabama. Talk about…

Mar 3, 2023 · by Loretta Eidson · In: Uncategorized Tagged: Alzheimer's, Caregivers, Caregiving, Dementia

I had never thought much about Alzheimer’s or dementia until I recognized the symptoms in my mom. Early on, I took her to the doctor about her declining memory. She grew very upset with me for accusing her of not remembering. Though it hurt my feelings that she thought I was being mean to her, I knew in my heart something needed to be done, but I had to wait until she realized the decline herself. A few years later, mom commented her best friend started taking medicine to help her memory, and she wanted to get some. She never…

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