Old friends

Aww, Pati, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through!  It really seems that liver disease is worse on the caregivers than the patients.  When they say "stable," they are referring to his vital signs, blood work, etc.  And sometimes that doesn't really reflect what is going on.

All I can suggest to you is that you take time out for yourself, even if it's just a bubble bath.  Make some "you" time every day and don't feel guilty about it.  Caregivers can burn out so easily.  The fact that you've hung in there so long is a testament to your strength.  But you need to replenish that constantly.

Feel free to vent anytime you want.  You have lots of company here.

Hugs,

Connie

I am looking at the calendar and realizing that it's been over 10 months since hubby's transplant.

HOW MUCH MY LIFE HAS CHANGED.

I am now living a normal, boring, undramatic life.  "Blessed monotany"!!!!!

It's just an unbelievable miracle of God & science that everything turned out this way.

Most of you remember my rants... my despair... my fear... my anger... my loneliness... I guess I must've posted 3-4 times everyday there for a while.

(Both before AND after the transplant!  Because after the transplant life was no easier ~ for a long, long time.  Just a different set of horrible problems)

But, now, it's all smoothed out.  Hubby is not just 'his old self' (because for so many years we dealt with the illness that I kind of remember 'his old self' as being sick) he is WAY WAY better than 'his old self' ever was!

Even the few months -off and on - between the different treatments he took, when he seemed "good".... I can look back now and see he was ALWAYS sick to some extent or another.

To see him now... it's like he is a teenager again.  His skin is even different.  He has health!  He has vitality!

(And, yes, he's still a spoiled brat :)  for those of you who remember THOSE posts!)  But a healthy one and a cute one!

I am still the only one working... I guess he has kind of retired.  I'm not too happy about that, but I'm not going to put a gun to his head, either.  So, I'm busy.  My job ~ my business ~ is a business of one (ME) and it's a never ending job. 

But at least my job and our house and our dogs are the only thing that are demanding my time, now.  No more nursing!!!!!!!!!   I was a rotten nurse, anyway.  It's just not in me.

I still sneak around this forum and read... but today I say PG's request for old friends to say hi and thought I'd update you.

We are all well.  We are back to normal.  Those of you going thru the treatments... or waiting for the transplant TAKE HEART.  This can all become a memory someday.  Just hang in and hang on for the worst ride of your life.  Then..... you get the prize.  You get a liver and you get your loved one back.

Love to all of you.  I'll keep reading your posts and praying for all of you.  (Especially ~ right now Joann & Jerry.  He is sooooooooooooooo close to transplant.... I can just feel it!)

Oh! AND ~  THANK YOU to all of you!  You guys held me together and created a life line for me.  I'll NEVER EVER EVER forget that!

You are all wonderful in different ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PatiLee,

I have not checked in for some time, guess I have just had my hands full with work, taking care of hubby and raising our child. But, when I read your post, it just made my heart ache for you, and it kind of echoes feelings I have had off and on. We have been dealing with this dreaded disease for almost 5 years now. As it stands right now, my husband is off of the transplant list because wee lost his medicaid benefits. I have been spending the last month fighting the medicaid issues, and after an exhausting month of being told I make too much money, and that he can't qualify for the state program because he does not have a job (yes, I did type that), I am being forced to add him to my coverage at work, which will leave us nothing to live on. He has had a headache for 3 months now, and seizures (which are now controlled w/ seizure medication), and quite frankly, if I hear him complain one more time about how bad his head hurts, etc.....I think I will scream!! So, I say all that to tell you to hang in there. You are not alone in this at all!! Do take some time for you! Even if it's a LOOOONNGG stroll through the produce isle at the grocery store (LOL).

Take it easy!

Mer