Hope for the Caregiver

Rev. Percy McCray Discusses Caring for Cancer Patients and Their Families

Rev. Percy McCray Jr. has spent more than 20 years ministering to cancer patients and their caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA). He recognizes cancer care ministry as a special calling from God and considers faith a key but often overlooked component of cancer treatment.

He now serves as the Director of Faith-Based Programs at CTCA® and provides leadership to the pastoral care staff at all five CTCA hospitals. In addition, Rev. McCray oversees Our Journey of Hope®, a nationwide cancer care ministry training, and support program.

An ordained minister, Rev. McCray is a member of the U.S. Chaplain Association. 

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As a caregiver, do you feel protected for your legal needs? How would you like the assurance of an entire law firm - for less than $30 per month - in five easy steps?

1. Click on the link' www.caregiverlegal.com

2. Select LEGAL SHIELD ( in purple) on the left-hand side.  

3. Select GET A PLAN (in orange) 

4. Add supplements (optional - leave unchecked if no supplements are needed)

5. Check out and call the law firm for all your legal needs. (Wills, POA, DNR, Medical Power of Attorney, traffic tickets, and any other legal needs you have.)

 

 

 

 

Father’s Day

A special father's day program with guest, Gary Chapman. 

Caregivers and an Instant Vacation

Legendary comedian Milton Berle (Mr. Television) once stated, "Laughter is an instant vacation." 

As caregivers, we certainly shed plenty of tears, but do we laugh?

Caregivers certainly top the list of those needing an "instant vacation," but few give themselves permission to book the trip. When our life remains so full of harsh realities, how can laughter be appropriate? 

In this episode, I invite fellow caregivers to take an instant vacation with me as we laugh for a bit. 

"...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;" Ecclesiastes 3:4

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com

Mercy for an Overwhelmed Caregiver

In Uvalde, the shooter’s grandmother faced the rage of a troubled grandson and, according to multiple reports, a daughter with a history of drug use. At least one incident required law enforcement to the home of the shooter’s mother – and neighbors and relatives knew of the turbulent relationship between son and mother. Mental issues and drug abuse create a toxic brew of chronic impairments that will not resolve independently. Those challenges hopelessly outmatch even the best of grandmothers.

In the case of Nicolas Cruz, who killed students at Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, law enforcement made 39 visits to the gunman’s home – most of the calls seemingly from his mother. A few months following his mother’s death, Nicolas Cruz massacred 17 people.

Sometimes, a family caregiver is the last line of defense between a killer and society.

A caller to my show for family caregivers discussed her mother’s increasing dementia. As the story unfolded, she related how her drug-addicted brother habitually stole from her mother and acted abusively towards her. The caller then shared that her brother, although a felon, kept a firearm under his bed and that she regularly feared for her safety. Asking why she didn’t call the police about her dangerous brother, she finally broke down and sobbed on the air. Through tears, she shared that her brother threatened that if she called the police, he would expose moral issues she had before becoming a Christian. 

 

Her embarrassment and shame compromised her safety from an armed and unstable brother. Gently explaining to her the nature of Christ, who forgives, redeems, and never blackmails, I encouraged her to protect herself and her mother by calling the authorities – that day. 

 

A year later, she phoned the program and sounded like a different person. After calling the police, her brother was arrested and entered a treatment plan. With exuberance in her voice, she shared that she and her brother have started the path of reconciliation. While her story took a better turn, many caregivers living close to an armed and disturbed individual suffer tragic outcomes – like what happened in Uvalde.

 

Despite the best political minds and arguments, the human heart remains outside the jurisdiction of any legislation. The Ten Commandments contain no ambiguity and came directly from God, yet politicians today think their laws will triumph where God’s did not. 

Read the entire Article at Foxnews.com 

In Times Like These

Author Kate Dreston shares her new book of devotions for those with a loved one facing terminal illness. 

 

If you find our podcast helpful, please consider helping us do more. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/giving 

Harsh Judgment

Interviewing a couple who raised two children with Huntington’s disease (HD) on my program, they relayed a heartbreaking story where they stood before a judge who clearly didn’t understand the nature of HD. After repeated arrests for shoplifting, violent behavior, and other issues, the judge commented from the bench that she felt this was a result of “bad parenting.” Unable to address the court or defend themselves, the couple simply shared, “…we had to take it on the chin.”

A five-minute search or phone call by the judge would have provided a bigger picture of the nature of this horrific disease that brutalizes both patient and their caregivers. Sadly, the judge chose to go with a uniformed decision – and a regrettable lack of compassion.

While the judge’s comments remain grievous, how many caregivers “don the black robe” and make harsh and ill-informed pronouncements upon themselves while looking in the mirror? Countless caregivers spend way too much time condemning themselves for the out-of-control behavior of someone else. Whatever we wish for that judge to have said to this broken and despairing couple, we would benefit from posting that same message on our own bathroom mirrors.

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” – Abraham Lincoln

 

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A Sacred And Patriotic Duty

I asked Chaplain (Lt. Colonel) Michael Frazier, US Army, Ret. to join me for this special Memorial Day edition of Hope for the Caregiver. As the son of a navy chaplain myself, I remain deeply moved by the rich history of Chaplains in the armed forces of the United States. In the opening monologue, I discuss a Memorial moment in scripture that continues to stir my heart, and then Chaplain Frazier shares insights, history, and poignant experiences from his military career.

I encourage you to share this powerful episode with as many as you can. 

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com