Tag: burnout

Spring is almost here– and so is our vitality.

March 11, 2019 I haven’t written here for a couple of months, and there’s multiple reasons for that. After Donna broke her pelvic bone, I spent the first couple of weeks heading to see her and help her rehab constantly. Then once she was moved to another location, a ‘convalescence’ facility, my ability help her… Continue reading Spring is almost here– and so is our vitality.

Update, and Why this site is mostly quiet.

An update– Mom. Recovery. Dormancy. Mom had her aneurysm, the first wallop to her head that precipitated all the others issues that have happened in the years since, in 2005. That took place the day before her 65th birthday. In 2011, when friends and I took her to a fancy dinner for her 71st birthday… Continue reading Update, and Why this site is mostly quiet.

The post it has taken five tries to write

I began writing a few different pieces for Donnas Lessons in recent days, but part way through I have been becoming exhausted. I simply cannot recount long stretches of the last few years without having the stress, fear, anxiety and ‘fight or flight’ responses from starting to take over my thoughts and feelings before I… Continue reading The post it has taken five tries to write

Summer Epilogue

Well! Mom returned from a respite away on Tuesday, a few days back. The weather was uncooperative with the possibility of getting away– I truly wanted to get into the woods, but it was not to be– yet I did manage to feel very much refreshed. Even being in my home alone will give me… Continue reading Summer Epilogue

Donna and Travel, take one.

Donna and I are nearing four years of co-habitation, but aside from camping trips we have not been able to travel since Donna needed regular help and moved in with me. This last year I have made strides in self-confidence and ability to ‘deal’ with the various challenges of caregiving with Donna– and as such… Continue reading Donna and Travel, take one.

Heatwaves, Hamburgers and Handydarts

When it is as hot as it is in Vancouver (well, Burnaby) Canada now, there is little chance in thinking deeply on any other subject. I have complained many times about the Handydart system in BC for elders and incapacitated people of all ages. But, I must say, the existence of this service has made… Continue reading Heatwaves, Hamburgers and Handydarts

How a pair of shoes almost cost Mom her home

[From Patreon, written July 6, 2018] Most often when I sit down to write things about life helping Mom, unless I’m venting some stress for that day, I’m writing up and accentuating the positives. But I want to tell a cautionary tale to other caregivers and, hopefully, the larger society for those who would help… Continue reading How a pair of shoes almost cost Mom her home

The Cost of Caring: 10 Ways to Prevent Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue can be a serious occupational hazard for those in any kind of helping profession, with a majority of those in the field reporting experiencing at least some degree of it in their lives. This is no surprise, as it is typically those with the most empathy who are the most at risk. Compassion… Continue reading The Cost of Caring: 10 Ways to Prevent Compassion Fatigue

July 31, 2015: Mom has a health crisis

This particular time frame isn’t explicated beyond the immediate moments of terror with Mom and her collapsing condition that particular day, but when I referred to things being better in the prior two months as I wrote this, there were a few things I didn’t get into detail about that were also part of what… Continue reading July 31, 2015: Mom has a health crisis