Looking for practical advise on how others have managed the balance between caregiving and work.
My husband has been battling head and neck cancer for the last three years, with the most recent fourth reoccurrence being diagnosed as terminal.
We are both of working age (early 40s) with a mortgage and bills to pay - he has understandably (since the last diagnosis) stepped away from work, placing sole financial responsibility on me - I am therefore not in a position to give up work / go part time. We are not eligible for benefits, beyond PIP for him.
I am relatively fortunate with work in some ways, as I am able to work from home and have some flexibility to take him to his various appointments - typically between two and four a week depending (chemo, wound care, clinic, Picc maintenance etc). However, what I am really struggling with is the mental load of it all.
How do people show up for the person you love (both practically in the day to day & emotionally), look after your own well-being (a broken person can't look after another), maintain friendships and show up at work - I have quite a high pressured job, and whilst my team are trying to lessen the load I do still have responsibilities that I can't just step away from.
I do talk to friends etc, but after three years of this battle I feel bad that the balance of our friendships continue to be one-sided and need to find other ways to support myself (and my husband).
What things/activities have people tried to support themselves - CBT, mindfulness etc to keep going? Recommendations welcome!
TIA
