Where I have been

Well, I finally got here. My computer wouldn't let me get on line. I have given up one of my clients for now, my husband is in the hospital. Now dont worry, he's doing pretty good. All the vital sign are back on line and the infection is breaking up. He made a joke to the nurse and yelled at me. He must be doing better. The poor nurses had a fit with him last night, he kept pulling out a suction tube and then he pulled out his I.V. He said they changed his bed twice last night. It is hard to care for a sick Richard, those poor nurses. So goes a day in a caregivers life.

The start to another day

Every day starts out the same, but today was added a new challenge. I can't talk. Yeah, I know allot of people are happy when these day hit, but, sometimes , it can cause some interesting challenges. I did allot of head nodding and whispering today. I had to listen, only, and not hold my side of the conversation. The day went by very quietly.
Now I also saw my daughter's blog, Now there is a caregivers challenge. Autism is an every day, 24/7 job that you don't get any recognition for doing well. I wish I could be some help. You know, caregiver to the caregiver. Keep up the good work. There can be joy in care giving.

Now that is enough whining

Well that is enough whining about my profession, at least I have a job, that's not bad now-a-days. No really, I do like what I am doing, you kinda get attached to the people you take care of. I think I just need to slow down on the working, that means I say "NO" once in a while. We went shopping today, it was fun then all my client wanted was to sit outside. It was a beautiful day, sunny, warm, a light breeze, and tomorrow there will be rain. Now how would that be, to only want to sit outside for awhile. The new item on the list is water aerobics, starting next Monday. Now this could be fun. There can be some perks in caregiving. Now I am doing some "home work" for my job. Reading some pages then taking a short test. When I finish all the units,and do well, I get a raise. Now that is nice. I love my job and that's no whining. So is the life of a care-giver.

Sunday, a day of rest?

I got some sleep on Sat. night, yeah and my husband make me go to church in the morning. So I went, I can sleep when I get home. To bad there is laundry to do and dishes to wash and the bathroom could use a little attention but it is Sunday. I got 4 hours of sleep in the afternoon and now it is night and guess where I am......well they need care throughout the night too. So I am at work doing the laundry for someone else and cleaning someone elses bathrooms and there are always dishes. Well there is Mon. Well at least I will, maybe, get 3 hours of sleep before I go and clean someone elses bathroom, dishes, and laundry, and visit teaching partner whats to know when I can go out to visit. Well that is the plight of a caregiver.

At work, Did I ever leave?

Yes, you've got that right, I'm back at work after 6 hours off. I get to cook dinner in a few minutes that entails cooking, letting clients help, setting the table, giving meds, and help feeding the ones who can't feed themselves. It reminds me of days gone by and I had 4 little ones at my feet. I miss those days but this is not the same. Just think, in another 6 hours I can go home for a few hours. I guess I can clean the house, do some laundry, vacuum, dishes and so forth. It's always the same for a professional caregiver.

The real caregiving begins

Well you always knew it would happen and today was the day. After pulling an all nighter I went to my sweet little lady for the day. We needed to go to the eye doctor but mother natures movement had not happened yet , for the day. You guessed it, on the way she had an accident in her pants. I got her into the bathroom at the medical center, parked the car, went hunting in the car for extra pants and found none. No gloves, no under garments. I ran to the pharmacy in the building, and using my own money bought some "depends" I asked if the pharmacist had any gloves and I was shown the box on the aisle. I ran up to the public restroom and started to try and clean up. The toilet, floor and my sweet little lady was covered. Grabbing a waste basket liner from the hall I filled it with ----------yuck. I mopped up and wiped up and we were only five minutes late. What a way to start the day. We now have supplies in the vehicle. Just another day in the care giving field.

To many hours not enough time

Hi all you wonderful caregivers out there. I'm at work (don't tell my boss). I have already put in 12 hours today and now am pulling an 8 hour overnight, just to do another 12 hours tomorrow and again an 8 hour overnight. It seems that there are too many people who need loving care and not enough to supply it. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to have the hours and the people I am caring for I already have learned to love them, sleep? who needs that. My husband came home from our trip to Utah and got sick. He is running a temp and loosing his voice so when I am at home I need to take care of him also.( by the way did I tell you we live on a small farm with animals) It's all in a days work for the "care giver" Now I just have to remember my rubber gloves, some food to eat and a few Depends.

back at work

Well we get off the plane and go to work, sell not quite that fast but so soon. My client was waiting for me to fix her breakfast and get her started for the day ( to bad I wasn't ready for the day) I got lucky today, the O.T. came in to shower and dress. The plumbing was in a mess and I had to work with the plumbers along with my client. Nothing much more than that. Kinda dull and boring, luckily I don't mind boring. Now I get to unpack and start the wash for myself. So is the day of a caregiver.

I've been visiting my children in Utah this weekend. It is great playing with all the grandchildren. I really don't want to go home tomorrow but I have a Client that needs someone there on Tue. When you take care of the elderly, you are depended on so much to be there. They don't like strangers showering them and stuff. It's not that much different from taking care of babies in a child care center (which I did for 20 years) So I now am leaving the people I love to take care of someone who needs me. What can you say?

Welcome!

Well here I finally am, my daughter has helped me get set up this blog sight. I want to welcome all who are care givers, or will be a care giver at some time in their life. Join with me in these daily challenges and share ideas on dealing with them.

Going insane isn't so bad and even better with friends.