Hi,
My husband, Gerry, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and had a stem cell transplant in 2007. For 11 wonderfully challenging years I was his primary caregiver as he fought his way back to some semblance of health. Being a caregiver wasn't a picnic, but I learned early on that the hardest thing to deal with were the expectations that I was putting on MYSELF.
Once I was able to accept my humanity, and the mistakes that come with that, I realized that caregivers don't have to be perfect, just caring. Ironically, that seemed to make me a better caregiver.
Last Aug I myself was diagnosed with High grade b-cell lymphoma with MYC and Bcl-2 arrangements, and my husband and I switched roles.
Sadly, Gerry passed away in late October from a heart attack. At that time I was undergoing high dose, strong chemo and wasn't able to be with him, arrange the memorial service or even attend it. My 22 & 23 year old children did all of the arrangements, and thus they have stepped into the caregiver role. I am grateful and fortunate, and have a long road ahead of me with my own recovery.
I hope that my own experience as a caregiver has made me a more understanding patient. If I ruled the world, I'd insist that EVERYONE do a turn as a caregiver, I think it would make each of us more aware of how connected we all are.
