OMG, Dana! This is vivid. I am in awe of your prose. It also brought to mind the last days of my parents and mother-in-law. Thank you for writing this and sharing. I bow down to your descriptive power.
You should write blurbs for a living. Thank you for sharing such inspiring comments about my writing. I’m so sorry for the losses you have experienced, and I’m grateful this story resonated with you.
What a compelling account of what it actually feels like caregiving a dying parent. I relate to so much of your story, especially the strategical approach. I got criticized often for being like a drill sergeant from others who did not or could not do what I did. I took it personally. I also felt like it was an honor to walk my momma home AND it was the hardest job I ever did. Kudos to you for the brilliant writing, a poignant and real story of the reality of caregiving.
Thank you for your kind words about the story. I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry about the criticism you faced while caregiving for your mother.
The scope of what’s required for caregiving isn’t fully understood by many. A few readers of my earlier drafts of this story who have never been caregivers didn’t quite understand the project management side of things and suggested I consider deleting those references. I’m glad I left them in and that you appreciated that aspect of my essay. Thank you for sharing.
The "project management" aspect rang especially true for me, and the promise-you-anything/promise-you-nothing staffing agencies and staff. I also realized that taking care of an elderly parent has similarities to raising a child—it's absorbing. Unfortunately, that's where the similarity stops. Instead of a child growing up resilient and strong, it goes the other way.
Thank you for this beautifully written essay about the realities of caregiving, the realities of dealing with a broken healthcare system, and your thoughts along the way. Everything you describe is so precisely accurate, right down to the frustrations of trying to take care of a minor, tedious task (getting an air filter replacement!) amidst all the big stuff. Thanks for sharing your story.
I really appreciate your thoughtful take on my essay. I love that you pointed out the accuracy of the piece and referenced the mundane tasks that became so very difficult to achieve while caregiving. By the way, I don’t think I ever got the air purifier filter I needed, especially in that smoky apartment! (I had to buy a new purifier eventually.) Thanks so much for reading.
OMG, Dana! This is vivid. I am in awe of your prose. It also brought to mind the last days of my parents and mother-in-law. Thank you for writing this and sharing. I bow down to your descriptive power.
You should write blurbs for a living. Thank you for sharing such inspiring comments about my writing. I’m so sorry for the losses you have experienced, and I’m grateful this story resonated with you.
What a compelling account of what it actually feels like caregiving a dying parent. I relate to so much of your story, especially the strategical approach. I got criticized often for being like a drill sergeant from others who did not or could not do what I did. I took it personally. I also felt like it was an honor to walk my momma home AND it was the hardest job I ever did. Kudos to you for the brilliant writing, a poignant and real story of the reality of caregiving.
Thank you for your kind words about the story. I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry about the criticism you faced while caregiving for your mother.
The scope of what’s required for caregiving isn’t fully understood by many. A few readers of my earlier drafts of this story who have never been caregivers didn’t quite understand the project management side of things and suggested I consider deleting those references. I’m glad I left them in and that you appreciated that aspect of my essay. Thank you for sharing.
I thought of myself as CEO of her care. It helped me to think of it this way.
The "project management" aspect rang especially true for me, and the promise-you-anything/promise-you-nothing staffing agencies and staff. I also realized that taking care of an elderly parent has similarities to raising a child—it's absorbing. Unfortunately, that's where the similarity stops. Instead of a child growing up resilient and strong, it goes the other way.
Wow!
Thank you!
Thank you for this beautifully written essay about the realities of caregiving, the realities of dealing with a broken healthcare system, and your thoughts along the way. Everything you describe is so precisely accurate, right down to the frustrations of trying to take care of a minor, tedious task (getting an air filter replacement!) amidst all the big stuff. Thanks for sharing your story.
I really appreciate your thoughtful take on my essay. I love that you pointed out the accuracy of the piece and referenced the mundane tasks that became so very difficult to achieve while caregiving. By the way, I don’t think I ever got the air purifier filter I needed, especially in that smoky apartment! (I had to buy a new purifier eventually.) Thanks so much for reading.