My Father's Caregiver

In 1989 with mom going to be with the Lord, I became my dad's caregiver. For the next ten years, I learned how to juggle mom's duties, which I had assumed, with a full time job. Dad was able to help with the care of our two dogs. And often he would start dinner.

In 1999, Memorial Day week-end, all this changed, as the Lord gave me one of my biggest challenges. Dad was rushed to the hospital with what was diagnosed as congestive heart failure. During his stay in the hospital, he under went open heart surgery. Upon being released I was firmly told he was to have someone with him at all times for the next six to ten weeks. This task fell to me, as my sisters lived in different States.

I took a leave of absence from my job. For the next ten weeks I was never away from dad further than a room's distance 24/7. My thoughts during this time wandered to when I would be able to return to work. I missed my job as a marketing assistant to the director of residency in a senior retirement facility. I missed the residents, and my co-workers. And I missed my pay check! I felt sure it wouldn't be long until Dad could manage without needing someone with him 24/7.

This never happened. Dad suffered a mild stroke which damaged the optic nerve in his eyes. He was unable to see to drive and to take his medications. At this time he was still doctoring extensively with several different doctors. Almost every month there was three to six appointments. My employer did not feel they could accommodate this kind of a schedule; this was understandable. Especially considering with one of dad's doctors every appointment was generally a two hour wait just for dad to be taken to an exam room, and then another fifteen to forty-five minuted wait for the doctor.