Care for the Caregiver
Last week when I posted on the lessons to be learned from the rescue of the Chilean miners, I reflected that we should learn to celebrate our own everyday heroes. Reading through the comments section, I loved what Brenda Ray Coffee had to say about caregivers “the unsung heroes to our families.” Brenda writes:
“Being a caregiver is a tough job. You don’t need a resume in order to be hired, and you’re hired for as long as you’re needed. Each separate thing a caregiver does is the easy part. It’s the combined and repeated jobs of chauffeur, grocery shopper, cook, maid, childcare provider, tutor and morale support—for as long as needed—with love, compassion, positive attitude and humor that is the hard part. They are quiet simply angels without wings.”
So true Brenda. And indeed they often get overlooked when the praise is being heaped on how well the patient is coming with their illness. In a recent Guideposts article, Mary Lou Carney, offers some practical tips for helping carry the load of the caregiver. If you know a caregiver, consider helping them with Mary Lou’s tips.
Click here to read article.
Thanks for highlighting the role of the oft-forgotten care-giver. When I had cancer, my husband, like Brenda’s was a rock to me and I don’t think he ever got the acknowledment he so deserved. All the sympathy went to me, but he was just as tired and worn out at times with my treatment, but he did it all so uncomplainingly and lovingly, I will never be able to thank him enough!
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Thanks so much Marie for using my comment. It got me thinking: In this month of overdone pink, don’t you think we should single out one day to honor our Breast Cancer Caregivers? I’m going to pick October 23rd because I have a live TV interview in Austin, TX on that date, so I will mention it and get the ball rolling.
Put Oct 23rd on next year’s calendar, girls, so we can celebrate our caregivers on that date! Any suggestions for how we can make it a universal date & get the word out? Marie, you’re so much better at social media than I am. Ideas?
XOXOXO,
Brenda
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What a terrific idea Brenda. I will give you my full support! Marie x
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I will put Oct 23rd on my calendar! Caregivers are so undervalued and yet they are essential for helping a woman survive her journey through cancer.
One chemo nurse of mine always made a point of asking my husband how HE was doing and that meant so much to him. I told her that yesterday at my session and she just beamed. I know she will keep doing this and that makes ALL of us feel good!
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How thoughtful of the nurse Nancy – what a lovely acknowledment of all that your husband does. That just warmed my heart to read.
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