PH Caregivers, Family Members & Spouses

Hi @colleensteele, yes, brain fog is common for PH patients and caregivers. For caregivers, I think that overdoing and not sleeping well or pure exhaustion leads to brain fog.

With caregivers trying to balance so many tasks. They often neglect adequate nutrition, too, which can contribute to brain fog.

I’m a PH patient who experiences brain…[Read more]

Hi @colleensteele, we have to take care of our caregivers! Y’all keep us PHighting!

I didn’t realize you go to Starbucks daily, is that most weekdays? I bet they certainly know you and your Peppermint Mocha order. Do they? What other drinks or new items have you tried?

Kudos to you for taking those drives each day. Is this when you leave your…[Read more]

Thank you for reaching out to the caregivers, @jenc. Burnout is a real thing. I try to leave the house at least once a day, even if it’s just a Starbucks run. I find the temporary change of scenery, fresh out, chatting with the barista, often gives me an emotional boost when I need one.

What do our other caregivers do to fight burnout?

It’s Stress Awareness Month, y’all! How are our caregivers, family members, and spouses doing with handling stress? Caregiver burnout is all too common, and we want to support y’all where you’re at.

Oh, @colleensteele, I love this piece and am guilty on many occasions. The first thing that came to mind was when I was spending time with my parents last week. I was always the caregiver before PH and tried not to let it stop me, especially with my parents, hubby, and kiddos. On many occasions, while supporting my mom in dealing with the year…[Read more]

Well said, @colleensteele! It always seems like everyone is caregiving for others. In nursing, I often reminded families that although some family members may not be doing direct hands-on care, they may offer emotional support. All parts of wellness are included in caregiving.

@jenc I’ve been thinking a lot about you and all our patients here in the forums and how much they support one another. In one way or another we are all caregivers here.

Hi @colleensteele, I can’t begin to imagine how much work you do care for Cullen and your hubby, too. Please know that you are only human for you and our other caregivers. You bring up an important reminder, “you are only one person,” that hits home, and I hope others will remember this.

I worry about you and our other excellent caregivers…[Read more]

@jenc feeling the need to be a “perfect” caregiver must be a common problem for caregivers because I felt the need to write about this topic too. Link: “Perfect Caregivers Are Not Real“.

I don’t discuss this often but I do a lot of caregiving for my husband too and between him and Cullen I sometimes feel like I’m not helping them to my full…[Read more]

@jenc it is such a heartwarming column so I wanted to make sure everyone gets a chance to read it. I love the bond you and Sasha have!

Aww, thanks again, @colleensteele, for adding that important link. You are such a saving grace. What would I do without you?

Yes, they give us plenty to do, including loving them and writing about them, that’s for sure.

I thought of @traceyaustralianmigration-co-za when I was typing just now and her love of her fur baby.

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]