Please pray I can keep going

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GodisWithin

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I am in a very anxious stressed state of mind…I am tired and I had good intentions for mom and dad. Dad has terminal cancer and other conditions due to being a 100 % disabled Korean War Vet and is 78. My mother has advanced osteoporosis with multiple fractures and surgeries. I have to go to their house twice daily to help them cook clean. my mom can’t lift anything and needs help dressing and so forth, but so does dad.

I know this sounds even worse but even though my brother (49 yrs old----i am 42) lives with them, he is not reliable for them as he has a mental illness. Yes dad has one too----psychotic episodes—the whole shebang: hallucinations, delusions, paranoia. I don’t have the time to be stressed out with my mom crying in pain and because of worry. She messed herself up physically having to help dad, so she relies on me. The even more stressful thing is that I am married with a family, and a 2 yr old who needs as much attention as they do. I often have to leave my housework and laundry piling—I feel like I am in slow motion—I come home to rest and shake a bit from stress, and ignore the housework. Husband is understanding, and tries to help, but their are financial concerns he has to tend to.

My sister will not help. She is 54 retired and finacially stable and kids grown. I TRY to be understanding and unjudgemental of her, as I don’t know WHAT keeps her from helping out—so that I can at least have a day off. I have missed mass several times because my bro is laying up in bed, and my mom is too afraid to call sis, as sis rants about my brother being unhelpful. It also just makes me feel very taken for granted when my mom tells me how she encourages my sister to “ENJOY her retirement, since they are young and need to travel” I try to understand my mom is only trying to be positive. She tells me that “we don’t know the sorrows of another person”–refering to my sister and her possible reasons for staying away. I agree that we don’t know, but I still want to cry forever over being stuck.

Sis is actually bitter that my parents have already said they are leaving my brother their house. I say big deal—I don’t care—I just want to take care of my own family and stop this feeling that everything in me is beginning to shut down.

I know I vented. I am sorry for spitting it all out.
 
I am praying for you. There is no need to apologize. I took care of my mom during her illness until she died. I know how hard it is with one person. Taking care of two families, as you are, has got to be more than stressful.

One piece of advice: There are agencies out there that can help you. If you don’t know where to find them, start with either your family doctor or one of your parents’ doctors. They have resources. I moved my mom from Boston to Milwaukee with the help of social workers contacted by my mom’s doctor in Boston. They helped with getting home care and dialysis that my mom needed immediately upon arrival. Even if you don’t think you have time to look into it, make the time. Even if you have to be in the house while the home health care workers are there, it is a relief just for five minutes with a cup of coffee.

I am praying. I am praying. I am praying.

-Jyl
 
Exactly – no need to apologize. Taking care of an ailing relative – especially your parents – can be a terrible strain, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am praying for you and your family to the Holy Family, and to St John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, to whose care He committed His own mother.
 
I have not had the experience of taking care of elderly parents. But I can say just taking care of your own household and children is more than enough. I will pray that God gives you the strength to get by day to day. You are truely living the Gospel. God Bless You!

:signofcross:
 
Praying very hard for you and all caregivers! We had this situation in my family with my mother who suffered from Alzheimers. My sister and I did the brunt of the caregiving, especially her. I lived in Cincinnati at the time and would drive to Pittsburgh once a month to give her some time off or give them a couple of weeks to go on vacation. After I moved to Pittsburgh, I took over all of her affairs. My two brothers did very little even though they lived in there. Sadly, this is very typical. Hang in there!
 
To all who have replied: thanks for your kind words and prayers. Thanks to Jyl for your advice. God Bless You all!

PS: Thanks to the post-er (Ghoti) who is praying to St. John—I will too. That is a good insight into that part of the Gospel—Jesus knew well enough His mom needed care too, and St. John was obedient to the request, i am sure. Thanks.🙂
 
I will pray for you and your family. This is such a hard situation. I hope you are able to get help. :byzsoc:
 
Praying for your intentions…

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen.
 
You’ve been given excellent advice, and I will pray for your whole family as well. God bless you all!!
 
It is good that you vent, after all we are your brothers and sisters in Christ. I helped take care of my dad during his illness and now I’m in the middle of moving to PR to care for my mother. I’m the youngest:confused: , but the others all have their issues:rolleyes: . But we do it out of love and loyalty for what they did for us…so here is a prayer for you and yours.

“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ to heal those of our souls.”
“My Jesus, pardon and mercy, by the merits of Thy Holy Wounds.”
 
You are struggling with something that is
very difficult…Role reversal where you almost
become the parent and they become the children.
I will definately pray for you now! I completely understand
your situation. I’m sorry for the problems with your
siblings…Your parents are blessed to have you!
 
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