Tales From an Exhausted Medical Mama

📸 credit: Adobe Stock There’s no way around it. Caregiving is one of the most rewarding responsibilities and a true act of love and devotion to a loved one. But it is also one of the most challenging and stressful responsibilities a family member or friend can take on.  In this article, we cover the symptoms and causes of caregiver role strain, as well as 10 insightful tips to help you manage and overcome it.  What is Caregiver Role Strain? A caregiver is a person who steps up to take care of a family member, friend or paying client when they are ill, elderly, disabled, or otherwise unable to take care of themselves. For most caregivers, it is a core value to be there for a loved one when they need you. While there are few responsibilities more rewarding than being a caregiver, it can also be very overwhelming.  Caregiver role strain is when the caregiver feels they may not be able to perform their job adequately because of financial burdens, increased responsibility, a ...

MM has had drainage and a cough for 2 weeks today. Being immunocompromised, it takes her a bit more time to get over things. She’s been fever free for a while and even woke up Friday morning sounding the best she had been. (I have been doing ALL the things I can do and giving her the only meds she can have for a cold (Flonase and Tussin DM) because of Karla.) I ran errands all day Friday and when I got home, our nurse, Debbie, said MM had played and had a great day. MM was in the recliner playing, hootin and hollerin and laughing. Literally, mid laugh she stops, and her right arm began jerking. She tried to continue her laugh but couldn’t and went into a full seizure that lasted 54 minutes and required both doses of her rescue med. Usually after getting two doses and from the seizure wearing her out also, she will be very sleepy and almost always takes a nap. This time, she was 100 mph and back to having her own personal party of one. Saturday was a good day, and she went to bed about ...

Oh Sweet Sarah! How my heart aches at the thought of you not being here, for Trey and the boys, for your family and friends and all you have touched in your fleeting time on earth. I wasn’t sure how to put into words what I wanted to say to/about you. I have been at a loss for words. (Yea, I know, go on and laugh.) This week has been physically and emotionally painful. You can look at your Facebook page and see the overwhelming impact you made on everyone you met! Some of what I am about to say will be redundant, but I finally rallied the courage to speak my truth. When I met you, you truly made each person, including myself, feel as if their baby was the ONLY baby in the NICU and that they were priority. I overheard people in the halls and the Family Room referencing the special things you had done for their babies. Your acts of kindness exceeded expectations. My Mini Mayhem still, to this day, absolutely loves having her hair washed and her feet “lotioned up” and massaged. You star...

Last week was  Here’s to wishing for a better week! Truck engine is now deceased. Dead. Done. Finished. Toast. I can’t even talk anymore about that right now.  For the last week or so I keep waiting for someone to let me know I’m being Punk’d. Monday, I had to move Mini Mayhem’s appointment in AL to the first of December because her Daddy's work schedule changed, the truck won’t get us there AND I STILL 👏🏻 cannot 👏🏻 get 👏🏻 tags 👏🏻 for 👏🏻 my 👏🏻 van 👏🏻.  The sales wanker who sold us the van claimed to overnight the title application to Jackson on October 26 and he said they received it. Jackson shows NOTHING. I’ve checked with Tate County every other or every 3 days since and at this point the only thing I know is that "C" at the Tax Collector’s office have earned their way on my Christmas card list.  Tuesday, I texted the con artist and he was going to check on it Wednesday morning and has since been radio silent. The Department of Revenue sent him a le...

“el Día de Muertos or el Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday is celebrated mostly in Mexico, yet also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage is observed on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. It is like a family reunion, except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. It has a much less solemn tone and is portrayed as a holiday of joyful celebration rather than mourning. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the depart...

Just a few unsolicited suggestions regarding communication. When seeking recommendations for a service: The majority of people need to stay within their budget, With that said, refrain from using the following phrases: “that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg”, “that won’t break the bank”, “that isn’t priced outrageous”, “not looking to pay someone’s mortgage for the month”. I say this because your arm and leg may or may not be worth the same as someone else’s extremities. It may cost $4 or $4,000 to break someone’s bank. Outrageous to you, may be economical from someone else. Not looking to pay someone’s mortgage…..well, that’s just rude sarcasm, any way you look at it. People are going to recommend their favorite people or companies when you ask. Different people of different lifestyles and incomes. It could mean that none, some or all recommended are within your budget.  What is a better way to ask the question? Simply say, I am looking for recommendations for “X” (type of service). ...