Me? I’m polishing tennis shoes. In these unprecedented times it is easy for my self-care to go out the window and for self-medication to completely take its place. I know the difference between the two. For me, self-care keeps my attitude positive and results in moving forward, sometimes one small step at a time. Self-medication, on the other hand, are things that make me … [Read more...]
Letters to our daughter: True stories about life with my mother.
Treasured memories from more than forty years ago. When I was in college, my father sent me about a dozen letters about life at home. The letters showcase his wicked sense of humor and a way of telling a story that pays homage to his Irish roots. Every time I got a letter from dad, I would sit in my dorm hallway and folks would pile out of their rooms to listen to the … [Read more...]
My Living Will States No Ventilators. What does this mean if I test positive for COVID-19?
Today, many people are questioning: “If my Living Will states I do not want to be put on a ventilator, does this language prevent my doctor from using a ventilator to treat me if I am struggling with COVID-19 symptoms?” With thanks to Van Dyke Law for clearly explaining why the language in your Living Will will not, in almost all cases, prevent your doctor from treating … [Read more...]
Grief is Another One of My Underlying Emotions During COVID-19
It is an emotion we often don’t recognize. Right now, I grieve for the doctors, nurses, every first responder and front-line worker living and working within the storm of this pandemic. I grieve with them as they Facetime with patients’ families so goodbyes can be said. I grieve with them as they isolate themselves from their family to keep them safe as they risk their own … [Read more...]
I Feel So Vulnerable Right Now In My Fears Over COVID-19
I know I’m not alone in these emotions. When I talk to family caregivers, a common thread is the range and depth of the emotions we are feeling during this crisis. As caregivers, we always live with the fear that an underlying medical issue will worsen or a heart attack or stroke will force our loved one into the hospital. But today’s world heightens our fears and increases … [Read more...]