I am SOOOO stressed out today I can't even stand MYSELF !!

[C.Ann]

No "one" particular thing - just everything piling up on me.. I even went so far as to call my DD and have her take my DH to the doctors today.. I just CAN'T handle it right now..

How would I go about finding a local caregiver's support group? I've GOT to talk to someone else who is actually going through this or I swear I'm going to lose my mind..

Right now I'm tempted to throw a suitcase in the car and just drive FOREVER...........

 

[Pop Daddy]

go camping and let your frustration out on them . Hey hang in there tommorow is another day

 

[wendyl]

sorry C. Ann--you have so much to deal with--anyone in your situaton would feel like getting away sometimes. But, from what I can tell from you posts, you are strong--and a fighter, and you gonna be OK.

Maybe do a Google search for support groups for caregivers in your area.

 

[MHopkins2]

I'm sorry you're having a bad day, C.Ann!! You might try calling a local hospice for info on a support group. If they don't have any info, they can probably at least point you in the right direction.

 

[Winka]

I was just reading your tag...I guess Palmolive won't help today?

Maybe doing a search about the particular problem you're going through and adding "support group" or "chat group" to the search terms? So many virtual support groups out there these days...

Good luck ...I hope tomorrow is a better day.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks.. I hate to whine - and sound like a you-know-what - but it's like every time I see the light at the end of the tunnel I find out it's actually a train barreling down on me..

Seems that EVERY decision I have to make - in some way, shape or form - makes me feel guilty - and then I get angry - and then I feel guilty for BEING angry - and so it goes..

The years of dealing with this are really starting to take their toll and my emotions are getting all mixed up.. Anger - guilt - sadness - resentment - fear - you name it, I've got it!

Thank goodness I can at least use my computer as a sounding board..

I'm going to call Hospice and see what they have to say but even THAT makes me feel "guilty" because I know there are caregivers out there that have it much worse than I do..

 

[minniecarousel]

You should absolutely find a care-giver support group. There is nothing like being able to share with people in a like situation. Early in my bother's recovery from a head injury, my sisters and I attended family head injury support group meetings. They were so valuable! Check with the closest large hospital for meetings. You are a stong person, C.Ann - there's nothing wrong in seeking a little help. (You KNOW that you have a lot on your plate - right?)

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by minniecarousel
You should absolutely find a care-giver support group. There is nothing like being able to share with people in a like situation. Early in my bother's recovery from a head injury, my sisters and I attended family head injury support group meetings. They were so valuable! Check with the closest large hospital for meetings. You are a stong person, C.Ann - there's nothing wrong in seeking a little help. (You KNOW that you have a lot on your plate - right?)

------------------------------------

Actually I attended a support group when my Dad was dying of colon cancer and I DID find it very helpful - BUT - even then I managed to feel "guilty" because there was a woman there whose DH was dying of brain cancer (only 32 yrs. old and she had 2 small children) and my Dad had already lived a pretty full life..

I'm going to do it though - find a group - before I do something rash and just run off somewhere..

By the way - did I mention that my DD's psychiatrist wants to see me sometime this week? Uh oh - what did I do now????

 

[browneyes]

 

[tar heel]

The hospice I used to work for had a caregivers support group that was open to the community as well as hospice families. Your local council on aging or county aging department might be able to steer you toward one, too.

 

[pokiemomo181]

Been there, done that. I was the only caregiver for my mother for years before she died. When I finally deceided to shut everything off I had to live with that guilt for years. I know it doesn't help much, but I always felt guilty for everything. There were times when she would have me in tears. I was sleep deprived and exhausted most of the time. I can look back now and know she didn't mean the things she said, she was just scared. If you want to talk just PM me and I will give you my phone number and Email address. I know its hard, but that doesn't mean that you should be strong all the time. We all have a right to feel overloaded with whats going on. No one really knows till they have been there. I hope things improve for you. Please know I am here if you need me.


Pokie

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[C.Ann]

DD just called from the doctor's office.. They have set up FOUR more appointments! Lung function test/pulmonary clinic - urologist - podiatrist - and the GP again.. His PSA is now up to 301.......

Changed several of his meds again - which means we get to throw away the ones we paid for the week before last - and have decided they're not going to go with the nebulizing treatments but rather add ANOTHER medication..

Lord please give me strength! I'm just not sure I can do this anymore......

 

[pokiemomo181]

You can do this for as long as necessary. We always can. Sometimes it feels like you will never get through it, but you do. Take one day at a time and let tomorrow take care of itself. Let DD stay for a few hours and just go out. It doesn't matter where or what you do. You just need some time for yourself. I guarantee it will make you feel a little better.


Pokie

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by C.Ann
I'm going to call Hospice and see what they have to say but even THAT makes me feel "guilty" because I know there are caregivers out there that have it much worse than I do..

I totally understand what you're saying, but if we only allowed ourselves to feel down when there was NO ONE worse off, we'd all be Mary Sunshine all the time. (And then wind up packing our bags sooner rather than later.) Just deal with things the best you can, and if you need to wallow in a bit of pity or anger or frustration or whatever from time to time, I vote you strap on that swimming cap and dive on in!

 

[kimber79]