PH Caregivers, Family Members & Spouses

Thank you @Jen. I am so happy that you have your sweet little Sasha. Think about what else our fur babies do for us…they give us something heartwarming to write about!

Jen forgot to add the link to the column she wrote about Sasha. Here it is:

The Secret Life of Sasha and How She Saved Me 

I love this column in many ways, @colleensteele. You shared how your family pets rely on you and the benefits and love between a pet and its owners.

Sasha has been such a calming part of our lives. She missed me, and I missed her unconditional love and support, too. I remember walking in the door after my COVID hospitalization and Sasha crying…[Read more]

@jenc I’m glad you brought up your habit (of I should say compassionate personality) of jumping in and helping everyone. This is a concern of mine whenever I dump my daily woes on you. You always ask and I always answer…mainly because you make me feel so comfortable at opening up to you, and I’m sure that is the case with others. But I know you…[Read more]

Humm, where do I start, @colleensteele? For this one, I will begin by saying that although there are many personality differences, I also find that helps us work well together.

I want to help others no matter how bad I feel. On the other hand, Manny is helpful and knows that sometimes you need to let others care for themselves. He has boundaries…[Read more]

As I read this, tears flow down my cheek, @colleensteele. You and Brian have raised two amazing young men. This speaks volumes to the parents that you are.

When Aidan shares, “At some point, I realized everyone has memories of childhood challenges, but everyone also has to grow up and learn to cope with their anger, or they will be grumpy,…[Read more]

Wow, @colleensteele, thanks for sharing such a heartwarming story. I love that your mom brought some to you in WA. They certainly are resilient like you.

This was make those succulents that more special once I do buy them for my new patio. I loved reading this column and this added special touch.

@jenc when my parents moved from the family home I grew up in my mom dug up flowering succulents that she planted when I was a little girl. She replanted them at their new home and brought some out to WA for me during one of her visits out here. So I have succulents in my front yard that had grown in my yard as a child. Talk about resilience!

Thanks, @colleensteele. I do think that many of our emotions and characteristics ebb and flow. You mention acceptance, patience, and strength.

Today, patience is more lacking as I think of many tasks that I need to do. But know I will get to them one step at a time.

My new succulents on that patio will undoubtedly have much more meaning now.…[Read more]

@jenc you are definitely passionate! I also think that just like acceptance – patience and strength ebbs and flows for all of us.

I hope the succulents on your patio will hold great meaning for you now.

Such a profound piece, @colleensteele. I recall when you mentioned that you are writing about a TikTok video. Because I have only seen blips of those videos on social media from others, I thought of humor.

I love this as caregivers are resilient. Empathetic is undoubtedly you. But, strong, resident, holy, and compassionate are a few other words.…[Read more]

Oh, @colleensteele, I cannot imagine how difficult this was for you during the school year. Do you have any tips or suggestions that you learned through Cullen’s school years?

Yes, many thoughts and prayers are with our parents as they make these tough decisions this school year.

I remember the struggle deciding on when and when not to send Cullen to school during flu season. I can’t imagine how much more challenging it is now. Prayers for all the kids returning to school and for all the parents with worry on their minds.

Thank you @jenc. I’ve heard PH patients comment that they sometimes feel frustrated when referred to as strong, courageous, an inspiration, etc., because it make them feel like it’s an expectation. I think caregivers experience a similar version of this.

We are all human. We make mistakes, have emotions and can’t always give it all we’ve got.…[Read more]

Wow, another excellent column, my friend, @colleensteele! I like the analogy of Mary Poppins, and thanks, now I am singing that song, LOL.

This is an impressive piece that shares that everyone, including caregivers, is imperfect. I think that sharing this knowledge and will help other caregivers learn this early on.

Acknowledging this fact is…[Read more]

Hi @colleensteele, I am so happy to hear that your mom is improving and cooperating with PT. She sounds like a woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t want to do. I love that, but happy that you convinced her to seek medical care and participate in PT.

Yes, the timing was good in many ways. I am happy that you were there. We all know that…[Read more]

Thank you @jenc. There is never a perfect time for someone to get injured but if it were going to happen, when it did was perfect. So much better than if I were in WA, with no arrangements made to fly home, and find out that my mom had fallen. Not to mention, if I weren’t home, who knows how long she would have gone before finally going to the…[Read more]

Wow, @colleensteele, this certainly brought out my tears. I know that this was a long-awaited trip, and I, too, thought that you would relax a bit and focus on yourself.

But, knowing you as I do, I knew that once you noticed an issue with mom, you jumped right back in that awesome caregiver that you are. I know as I care for my aging parents,…[Read more]

LOL, @colleensteele, always been a fan of your excellent pieces.

That is OK if we are each others’ biggest fans.

Hopefully, others have read this but did not respond. I loved the pics. Corbin’s braids were beautiful. It is such a heart-touching and inspiring tribute.