“Caregiving is a constant learning experience. Most of us are untrained and learning as we go. Remain positive and stay on your path.”
November is National Family Caregivers Month, and there's something interesting I've learned firsthand:
It's not always easy to go from being the person who gives care, to the person who needs it.
Caregiving can mean supporting children or aging parents (I see you, sandwich generation!), or temporarily caring for someone after surgery or during cancer treatment.
During six months of active cancer treatment and surgery, I needed an incredible amount of help. Some days were easier than others, but there were many when I couldn't do my usual caregiving for our kids, let alone take care of myself.
And the need for care didn't end when active treatment did. I still needed help through infections during recovery, another surgery a year later, and even the emotional support that came with countless checkup appointments.
Caregiving After Cancer
Since my diagnosis 3 years ago, several people close to me have also been diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet surprisingly, I still struggle at times with knowing exactly what to say or how best to support each person.
But when I saw this quote, it reminded me that caregiving really is a learning experience.
Every person has different needs, circumstances, and ways of accepting help. I may know what worked for me and some of the things cancer patients commonly need, but that doesn't mean it's what someone else needs.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply ask: What's one thing I could do to make things a little easier for you?
One more thing I hope every caregiver remembers this month:
The time, energy, love, and care you give to someone else makes a difference, even when it might not always feel that way. 💞
#motivationmonday
