Hope for the Caregiver

I must. I'm supposed to. I have to. I should. 

When repeatedly hearing these words come out of your mouth, you might be caught in the obligation trap. 

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Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine has created outrage and horror worldwide. Spotlighting those with disabilities and their caregivers, Joni Eareckson Tada shares how her organization is helping individuals fleeing from Ukraine to Poland. Well acquainted with suffering and challenges, Joni shares her insights and faith in our frank discussion about these heartbreaking events.

To help Joni's organization with this effort, please visit www.joniandfriends.org 

Noise bombards us every day. Traffic, 24-hour news, our mobile devices, and a host of other things forms a wall of sound that keeps many of us in a state of agitation. For caregivers, taking a moment to sit quietly and settle our hearts down seems nearly impossible. But if we don’t take time for stillness, we’re going to have to make time for illness.

The constant state of anxiety, stress, and sensory overload we experience as caregivers will eventually make us sick. Ask any health care professional about the long-term effects of stress. When’s the last time anyone ever touted the benefits of anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, skin rashes, or other stress-induced issues? 

As caregivers, we modify our lifestyle to minimize the threat. We push back on stress by carving out time to be still and quiet. Prayer, meditation, or just clearing our racing thoughts helps re-boot our minds and hearts. Without any cost or even a prescription, regularly incorporating stillness in our lives allows us to be a little calmer – and a little healthier – in the caregiver storm we navigate.

The best cure for the body is a quiet mind. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Today's show features an opening monologue about Caregiving versus Caregiver. Also, a surgeon caught me by surprise with this question. Later on in the program, a special interview with one of the founders of crowd funders GIVE SEND GO, and a special song from Gracie. 

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The morning of the most extensive surgery my wife's ever faced, we both felt (understandably) a bit nervous. Sitting in the pre-op area, I observed a flurry of medical staff work efficiently to prepare Gracie for what would be a 9-hour surgery – and her 82^nd operation (that I can count).

When the neurosurgeon arrived, I noticed a tangible enthusiasm about him. Clapping his hands together, he brightly looked at us while stating, "You ready to get this thing done!"

For maybe the first time in my 35 years as a caregiver, I felt a calmness and sense of safety with this man. As the surgeon exuded such self-confidence, I felt our anxiety melt away. He knew his job and shared his excitement, "I love doing this procedure- it helps so many people!"

Looking at me, he said, 'This will be a long day. Go rest in your hotel room and wait for my call. You don't need to hang out in the waiting room and stress yourself out. We've got this!"

Following his orders, I rested and waited for his call.

The surgery went well, and while slow, the recovery remains steady. Along the way, I learned to trust a bit more – and rest in the competence of others.

"You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible." -  Anton Chekov

HopeFortheCaregiver.com

The stress and heartache has GOT to go someplace - how do you process it out as a caregiver? 

From our broadcast 2/19/2022.  Plus a song from Gracie. 

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

From our national broadcast 2/19/2022. Updates, News, and an easy chorus for caregivers to remember.