ANA Discussion Forum
Caregivers => Caregivers => Topic started by: DanFouratt on May 27, 2024, 11:14:03 am
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To the caregivers. Last fall I was focused on my AN. This spring I under went open heart surgery. Both times my wife was my caregiver. I was 8 weeks post op (now 9) and by all accounts doing great after OHS. My wife help get me here especially the early days. We went on vacation last week, which was planned before surgery to celebrate recovery. Day one my wife missed the bottom stair of the place we were staying. She broke her heel, this resulted in surgery, splint, crutches and no pressure on foot. I went from patient to caregiver overnight. I now truly respect the challenge of being a caregiver. When I was receiving help there were times I thought, “Enough I CAN DO IT”. Learning how to hit the sweet spot of making sure your patient needs are met, but not smothering them with “doing everything” is a difficult balance. I wish I understood that as a patient. Most of us will over service and smother a bit as caregivers. The patient needs to appreciate that and not be annoyed. (I have apologized.) In addition to the above balance, it is a lot of work to be the caregiver. I have a new gratitude and appreciation for the help I received. Thank you for all you do.
Dan
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Thank you, Dan, for posting that. It's a beautiful tribute to our caretakers!
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Very well said Dan! I'm sorry that you had to be both patient and caregiver but glad that you were able to learn so much from both situations and then shared that with us. I broke my leg and ankle a month before my Facial Nerve surgery so my husband really had his hands full. I will have to do some serious thinking about how well he took care of me and our two young boys and keep that in mind when he needs my help!
I hope that your wife is doing okay and that you can plan another vacation soon so you can celebrate both of your recoveries! Take Care, Jill :)