I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the real-life stories over the past five months. This series stemmed from me caring for my husband through his struggles from exposure to Agent Orange while in the Navy. I had cared for others before, but not to the extent his condition required. This series touched my heart to the depths of my soul and I pray it touched your life and gave you insight into the lives of caregivers. Today concludes my Caregiving Straight Talk series. I want to thank all who were brave and gracious enough to share their hearts with the world:…
Time Stand Still by Janet Morris Grimes
It’s Graduation season. Nothing brings me to tears faster than the first few strands of Pomp and Circumstance. No matter the venue or whether I know one of the graduates personally, it’s such an incredible feat and brings to the forefront how long it takes to find success and how many people we need in our corner to pull off such an accomplishment. As the celebratory photos are splashed all over social media, I often see parents utter this plea. “Time, stand still.” It’s a public admission that time is indeed fleeting; and our limited years with our children are…
Caregiving Through the Patient’s Eyes by Lori Vober
In January 2003, at the age of twenty-nine, I suffered a devastating hemorrhagic stroke. The stroke was caused by an undetected malformation of blood vessels on the right side of my brain, and I underwent emergency brain surgery the night of my stroke to stop the massive bleed. I woke up seventeen days later from a drug-induced coma, paralyzed on the left side. In the blink of an eye, our whole lives had changed. I am an only child, and my husband, Dainis, and I were just shy of our fifth wedding anniversary when my stroke occurred. I spent two…
Senior Housing – Where to Begin by Amy Loos
Choosing a new place for a loved one to call home is not for the faint of heart. Often, friends and family are thrust into looking at senior housing during an emergency or a health crisis. Emotions are high, fear is rampant, and questions are endless. So, where do you begin? My advice is to be wise and avoid emotionally driven decisions. In fact, the Lord calls us to seek Him in all we do, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” …
When Illness Won’t Let Go by Loretta Eidson
My husband gasped for breath, and there was nothing I could do but call 911. We barely made it to the hospital. He was drowning from the fluid that had built up around his lungs and heart. The diagnosis was congestive heart failure. After removing nine liters of fluid, his smile returned, and he breathed easy. Full-time caregiving fell into my lap that day. Over the next six years, his health continued to decline because of the adverse effects of exposure to Agent Orange when he served in the Navy. His ability to drive ended, much to his regret, and…
