National Caregiver Month

November is National Caregiver Month.  President Obama proclaimed November as  National Caregiver Month in the year 2014.  There are a lot of people in the US that are daily caregivers for their family members with various long term illnesses.  It is nice to recognize these people for their daily devotion to taking care of their loved ones.  It is not an easy job or one that most people sign up for.  It is a job that many are thrust into as their parents age or their spouse or child becomes ill.  Over the years I have witnessed the ever increasing awareness of the role of the caregiver.  They should be applauded and recognized as many have given unselfishly to care and advocate for their loved ones.  They are sometimes forgotten and lost in the midst of helping their loved ones.  Stop and recognize a caregiver this month, because someday it may be you. 

My caregiver journey began 20 years ago as my own mother's health began to decline.  I watched my dad for years take care of her and I intervened when needed.  I use to say he was a saint, he was always by her side even when we had to put in a nursing home for awhile.  It took its toll on him physically and mentally, but he survived and he is still with us.  Subsequently, I have become a caregiver for him.  He has been through a lot this year and I have been right there with him.  Today he graduated from cardiac rehab and he is doing very well and it has lessened my duties as his caregiver.  He is of course one of my heroes.

My other hero is my husband, a three time cancer survivor.  Our journey began in 1997.  The anniversary date of December 2nd is coming quickly.   That will mark 18 years for him as a survivor and for me as caregiver.  We have been through a lot.  He has always called me his angel.  I can say that 18 years ago not much credit was given to caregivers.  I remember not being allowed to be with him during chemotherapy treatments and being told by others that I had no right to express my feelings.  He was in the care of his health care team and we are grateful for them.  I was in the background supporting him.  I still remember on one occasion sitting on the side of bed wrapping my arms around him after chemotherapy.  He told me he couldn't go on and I reminded him of all the beautiful reasons we were meant to survive.  I say we, because there is no life without him.

In 2010 when my husband was diagnosed again for the third time with NHL, I was thrown again into the role of caregiver.  It proved to be a little harder this time.  I don't know if it was because I was older or that  I was not feeling well myself.  We made a decision to go across the country to MD Anderson in Texas.  We were told that they were the number one Cancer Center in the US.  We both feared that the outcome of cancer again was not good and needed some expert help.  I sit today and I happily say my husband is a survivor.  It was not easy for either of us, but we survived.

The one thing I have learned about being a caregiver is that I am allowed to have feelings also.  I have wants and needs and deserve to get help also.  I am also my husband's advocate and my own.  We are on this journey together and the caregiver needs to be acknowledged and heard also.  The caregiver plays a very important role in the patient's recovery.  I am proud to say that my hero husband and I made it through a lot of hard work, strength and courage.  We made it here today together.   We made it in sickness and in health until death do us part.  I love you my husband always and forever!

Life is beautiful !!!

Elizabeth:)