Moving, job change, updates

Hello everyone,
I haven't posted in a while as I was in the throes of moving. That set off a nasty flare and I'm finally starting to feel a little better. I hope everyone hasn't forgotten me! I've been occasionally checking in and look to more often now that I am getting settled.

I had mentioned before moving in with my aunt to be an easier job for me, but that fell through (and the stress aggravated the flare up). She turned out to be adamant against the idea, her health declined, and too many communication snafoos with relatives made me want to back out! I was offered $300/month to care for someone who can't drive and has mild to moderate dementia. What do you of think of that figure!? Seemed awfully low and unfair. The relatives were also changing parts of the agreement without checking with me. I sensed a disaster awaiting.

So I am now living with my parents. I will have some part time work starting in September.

Changes. Changes. We'll see what happens... I'm trying to look on the bright side. The resting these past few weeks is really helping. Have you ever felt lazy? I do! Though Im changing my mindset to "recovering and healing", not lazy.

Cheers,
Tango

That's funny because I was just thinking we haven't heard from you in awhile and I looked on here and there you were. Wow

It's good to hear from you:) but I'm sorry you have been flared up. hopefully things will get better when you are more settled in. All the things you mentioned moving, new job sounds stressful.

Hi again! My job(s) will be occasional dance teaching, something I love, and I'm careful with pacing. I joke that it's the only job you can decide to lay on the floor if needed and it only looks like you are doing your job, lol! "Okay kids! We're going to work on rolling..." I'm really happy about those developments!

I was concerned that the work for relatives would strain relationships. Now, that I've turned it down, they haven't been talking to me. They were doing things like saying they had no money, then promptly headed out to their resort vacations to Florida and California.... They are now willing to pay someone else the big bucks, but me the peanuts. They cut my living space (from what we agreed to originally) such that I'd be in one little bedroopm versus having my own extra living room (an extra room not even being used!) something I insisted upon since my aunt was being ambivalent to having help. Yes, Sherrine! Resentment was brewing! I didn't want that! Living with my parents isn't without its own stressors and they aren't sure about the whole fibro thing, but they are supportive. And I'm trying to help them with things, chores and errands.

One day at a time. I'm using the summer to rest and rejuvenate and have been slowly Weaning off my pain meds! yay! I'm enjoying meeting diverse and friendly people in the more metropolitan area after moving away from a stifling small town environment. There are more medical care options here (Cleveland clinic, universities, etc.). Moving has been stressful and difficult but I am looking ahead at the positives, the biggies: sunshine, beaches, renewing the spirit, gentle dancing, accepting help, giving help.

I look forward to catching up with newbies and new developments!

Tango

It sounds like it may have been a recipe for disaster: too many people involved in the decision making, the role and terms kept changing, working with/for family members can be fraught will all kinds of emotional stress, and yes, I think $300 a month does sound awfully low even with a provided room, depending on how much work you would have to do and how available you would have to be. Everything just sounded too arbitrary, a potential recipe for disaster, especially since your aunt wasn't really on board.

Because you are already a dancer, that form of exercise will probably be great for your fibro as long as you pace yourself. And, it sounds like it might make you happy to do it. It's always difficult to move back in with your parents, but it will give you the opportunity to spend time with them. And that time can be precious.

Maybe you could pick up another part time job that is less strenuousif you feel up to it. If you are interested in sitting with someone who is housebound, there are probably plenty of agencies that do that sort of thing in a larger city. I had a friend who used to do this on a very part time basis, and the physical labor was minimal. She was mainly there to make sure the patient was supervised, and she did some very light things like fixing lunch, very light housework (loading the dishwasher, for instance), helping a bit with personal care, etc. I think with many of these agencies, the type and level of care depends on what the patient needs and what the caregiver signs up to do.