I'm a 57 year old gay man, living in Dublin and caring for my mother full time. Can feel isolated at times, so hoping to connect with others online.
Hi, I'm not a carer just now, but I was a carer to my partner in the last months if his life - he died of cancer 18 months ago. It's not exactly the same situation ax yourself, but I well recall the awful isolation of that time (the days were so long once the district nurse had been and gone each day). In my situation I wouldn't have had it any other way though - that's what we have to do for each other. I realise your situation is possibly long term and quite different to mine, but I admire what you're doing and I can only try and understand. I'm here if you'd like to make contact. I wish you well.
Welcome . I'm (obviously) not a carer but I understand what it's like because I live around someone who's being cared for.
I have a good friend who is caring for his husband who has severe and life-threatening respiratory difficulties, pretty much full time. This has meant one-way 2-hour drives back and forth on a daily basis to the hospital, practically nursing him full-time, knowing the medications, knowing and putting pressure on the people who are caring for his husband...I have always admired my friend's work ethic, but this is heroic and I am in awe of such love.
Taking care of someone is pretty all-consuming, isn't it? My father had a long, slow physical decline over about 25 years and lost his legs about 12 years before he died. Once he got an apartment things got much easier--his mind was pretty much OK so he was able to care for himself for the most part, but if he fell out of his wheelchair or needed basically anything, I was on call 24-7. But that I spent 5-6 years right after the legs came off doing his shopping, banking, laundry, cleaning etc. because the house was out in the country and not very wheelchair accessible. People used to tell me that the whole experience "builds character", but personally I think it shows how much character we really have in the first place! No one can truly appreciate what you're going through more than those of us who have been there. Welcome!