@Jennylouns
Welcome to 7cups and thank you for taking time to share what's going on in your life. I just want to send you hugs -- that's a lot going on but one good thing - we can be here for you at 7cups as much as you want.
Stress can do a lot to the body -- been there, done that. It does seem to pile upon itself too -- kind up like a bad version of pickup sticks.
Take a deep breathe --- let it out. So many times when we're stressed we don't realize it but we hold our breathes. Yeah, you get so tight and wound up you don't know you've slowed your breathe and even hold it sometimes until you take note of t. So -- take a deep breathe break --- big ole deep breathe in, and deep breathe out.
I've had trouble (as well as family and family) with scripts costing too much -- so I checked with the manufacturer and they had a relief program for many meds out there. They don't necessarily talk about these programs -- so email and contact form the companies to death until you hear back. Some pharmacist will know about them -- but I got more answers on my own via contact forms.
It's one day at a time -- sometimes one minute at time -- and we'll be here with you.
@diplomaticconfucious Thank you for your reply. It means a lot to know someone is listening and understands. I found myself taking big, deep breaths while reading, and it really helped. Sometimes, with everything going on, I do find myself taking short breaths. Its easy to become overwhelmed in the moment. One thing at a time.
@Jennylouns
Definitely one thing at a time.
Here's a tip from my days of multi-person care giving --- get yourself a wall calendar with big blocks or a scheduling book. I was helping care for my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, my sister's kids, helping at mum's office and working full time. A scheduling book left me with hair -- really, when things go overwhelming, you open the book, take deep breathes, and look at what's ahead. I went as far as to color code ink -- just so I knew who was tied to what.
Put in Dr appts
Put in PT appts
Put in Shopping Trip
Put in Visit Pharmacy
Put in Me breaks -- you need this, schedule it. Even if it isn't anything more than going into the bathroom and shutting the door for 5mins
Put in Family Time -- your family needs this - nothing fancy, a pbj picnic amid the dandelions - keep it simple
Put in Scream in the Pillow Time (actually did this, yes - it was cathartic)
Put in cuddle time -- you and your spouse need this time -- really
As you learn something that helps you cope -- schedule it.
Deep Breathing - 5 minutes
YouTube video on mindfulness - 5 minutes
Sit and Do Nothing - 5 minutes
Being able to have all the appt's and scheduled coping in one place helped -- especially on paper. I had a ::gasp:: Palm Pilot -- it was before cell phones (they were new fangled back when) -- but the paper version was always there, didn't lose charge, was a good point to connect with other caregivers, and was a reason to PAUSE. (I'm big on the pause... pauses are powerful)
Sooo -- keep breathing. Be conscience of your breathing -- oxygen is a good thing, it helps you think, it helps you heal, it helps you cope.
Come check out the Mindfulness Community. A lot of good information about being mindful, coping, and such -- plus some great people who listen. I've learned quite a lot so far (relearned alot too)>>> https://www.7cups.com/home/mindfulness/?rid=218306145
@Jennylouns dear Jenny. i must appreciate your incredible fortitude. you are doing well. i dont know how much help my wors can provide you, but yes, you are definitely going through a lot. most tricky part is managing finances. all i can say is keep going. you are doing great. take care.
