zkaimiola

Member since September 27, 2008
1 Answers

Bio

In 2004 I became the caregiver for my mother who suffered a stroke, then for my father who was going through withdrawals from medicationthat the doctors were trying to take him off off (he became suicidal). Both have passed on since then (within 2 months of each other). They were married for 60 yrs. It was difficult to watch my father deteriorate after my mother passed in her sleep. Its very heartbreaking when you can't do anything to help. My mom passed away in November 2007 and my Father in January 2005 (of a broken heart). It wasn't an easy task, but it was something that has taught me a lot. I'm also glad that I got to spend those last few years with them. My husband was a very big help. He lost both his parents a couple of yearsbefore my mom had herstroke. I was very fortunate to have worked with the elderly for 12 yrs which taught me patience and compassion for them. It helped me to have the samepatience and compassionfor my own parents. My mom was easy, but my dad sometimes got on my nerves because he was more demanding. There are still times when I think I should have, could have done more. But I made a promise to my parents(when I was in high school)that I would never put them away to a nursing home and I'm glad I kept that promise. I also had a niece who came to live with us and she helped releive some of the burden by helping to bath my mom and cooking dinners on some nights. My husband helped by taking my mom to therapyon some days and even preparing lunch for them. I realized that for some folk, a nursing home would be best. So don't get me wrong. Even though I was adopted I considered them my parents. I've been blessed by them and they have never kept any secrets from me. Even to the point where they've allowed me to spend summers with my real parents and my real siblings. They were the best parents in the world to me. I miss them very much.

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