Saturday 4 July 2015

The Emotional Roller Coaster

There are some very good articles written on dealing with dementia. For the most part they expose the part of the caregiver's role that is very much under control.  They may voice that there are times of frustrations but very seldom expose to the reader just what those frustrations are.

In my book,' When Troubles Fall Like Lemon Drops,' I talk about the emotional roller coaster that one experiences. The seasons of life that one is experiencing at the time will ultimately determine the challenges that one is faced with, A family with young teenage children, whose loved one has been smitten with this devastating disease, will encounter losses that are quite different from those who are affected later in life.

Here are a few of my confessions, taken from the chapter The Emotional Roller Coaster, page 56.
These are excerpts from my journal 2005-2013
...I am angry and resentful today, and very self-centred,. It is not only his life that is put on hold but mine as well. My kids don't have a father, I don't have a husband. I sometimes vent this in little innuendoes to him, I know it is not right but nothing is right.
...I will not confess, in writing, my thoughts and anxieties today. They are very real at this time. I suppose everyone has a chapter in their story that they would not revel.
...It's the long weekend. I feel selfish today. Would love to go away for the weekend, take long walks, have a good conversation, have a picnic, enjoy company, someone to take care of me, drive the car, get the gas, take out the luggage etc. etc. etc. OK Ruth, you know the difference between wishful thinking. For the moment it is pleasing to imagine.
The transition from being a wife to a caregiver does not come easily. We must remember that we are all on the same journey to our final destination and there are different roles for different times. Sometimes when the role changes at a young age it can be more challenging.

For more information on my book go to www.whentroublesfalllikelemondrops.com