Reviews from

Suddenly a Caregiver

Sometimes I don't know which end is up.

43 total reviews 
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Bless you. I was the last caregiver for both my parents and the one who put them both in Hospice. It was tough.
You wrote very nicely. very heartfelt. I'm very sorry for all te health and finance issues. I will pray.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
    Thank you so much, Wayne, for your kind, compassionate and exceptional review, and especially for praying. I appreciate, also, that you shared from your own experience, which sounds incredibly difficult. May God bless you always.
Comment from Irish Rain
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow.
I will most definitely add your family
to my prayer list.
I don't understand these things either,
the 'whys?'
But your faith is a blessing, please try to
believe, even though you don't see.
God bless you and your family Miss Mary.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2022
    Dear Mrs. Irish, thank you very much for your beautiful and caring review, and especially for your prayers. Please excuse my very long delay in answering your review; since then, we have even more reasons to ask, "Why?" Mom is so unhappy in assisted living, and we've had our own health issues, troublesome apartment problems, and financial problems too. We're holding onto God. May He bless you and your family, too.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from mermaids
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Prayers sent for you, your husband and your mother. I can relate to your story on so many levels. I was a caregiver for both my parents and my late husband. It is a daunting task but we are able to step up and do what we have to do. Asking God for guidance has always been helpful to me. I also can relate to other problems being present while being a caregiver. My husband and I always had financial difficulties and I worked full time while being a caregiver to both parents and my husband. Your writing is excellent and I am a fan of memoir and enjoyed reading your story.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2022
    Thank you so much, Mermaids, for your kind, supportive and exceptional review of my writing. Thank you for sharing and especially for your prayers. You have really been through a lot. We are still dealing with many challenges, even though Mom is in assisted living -- and that's actually one of the challenges, because she doesn't like it there. We keep looking up, for God's help. Thank you so much for your comments, and May God bless you.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from amahra
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'm sorry that your mom has to have special care. But so happy that you have the strength to help her. But I, for one, am so glad that you are back with us. Thank you for sharring.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2022
    Thank you, Amanda, for your excellent review, and I do apologize for how long it took me to answer it. As it turned out, I wasn't back with FS for long, but I hope I will now be able to. Mom is in assisted living, but very unhappy there; we speak daily on the phone, but are hoping God provides a happy alternative to the environment she's in. Meanwhile, we have other problems to deal with, but our faith is in God. May He bless you. Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Annmuma
Excellent
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Absolutely, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Sometimes thoughts and prayers fall short and I encourage you take advantage of friends with listening ears. Talking, sharing and knowing someone cares enough to listen can be a huge blessing. I will read your posts and listen to the words spoken there. ann

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2022
    Annmuma, you're a gem! Yes, thoughts and prayers are good, and a listening ear can be a source of healing. Thank you for caring. I just wish I'd had time for more posts for you to read, especially about all I went through, and actually what I'm still going through. Although Mom is now in assisted living, it hasn't resolved most of the problems. She's so unhappy there! And her home -- now in the process of being sold -- was so much more of a comfortable, normal environment than the crazy apartment my husband and I share. I can't even write about all the problems in this place! I just keep hanging on, trusting that God will bring us through to, essentially the Promised Land of a better living space. God bless you, my friend. Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Janice Canerdy
Excellent
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This is a truly excellent piece in every respect--skillfully written (a teacher
holding her red pen wouldn't have the opportunity to use it!), very descriptive, and moving. It's clear that your faith is holding you up. You, your mom, and your husband are going through some very real challenges. Yes, prayer is powerful.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 05-Sep-2022
    Thank you, Janice, for this beautiful review. Yes, my faith held me up during that time of difficulty, and God has continued to hold me up, by faith, through many of the trials we are still experiencing. I like what you said about the teacher and the red pen -- what a compliment! I am thankful for those teachers I has in the past, who did use theirs, and taught me a lot.
    I agree: prayer is powerful!
    God bless you.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
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I am so sorry to hear your news. My sister has all those back problems that your mother has, and more, even though she is in her mid sixties. She has had a number of operations, the latest is to insert something to block the pain receptors, and it seems to have helped. I wonder if they have considered that for your mother, and whether her body can stand another operation? You sound very overwhelmed, not surprisingly, and I will add you to my prayer list. You are right to prioritise your spiritual life and your care for your mother and yourself and your family over FS, but if you post occasionally I know there are many who will be continuing to pray for you. Sending hugs and love from Australia.
Wendy

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2022
    Wow, hugs, love and prayers from Oz! I didn't know that you're an Aussie, or if I did, I must have forgotten.
    Please accept my apology for not responding sooner. I am still prioritizing my spiritual life (I so appreciate your understanding of this) and the needs of our household, even though I returned home with my husband in mid-July, and Mom went into assisted living. She's so unhappy there! We're hoping, prayerfully, to find a better arrangement for her, even though it's a long shot.
    Our life in this apartment has been extremely difficult, this summer. Just for starters, no A/C, but that's as far as I'll go; the rest of it is best kept to myself, at least for now. At least I've been able to start seeing my primary doctor and some of the specialists I need.
    Unfortunately, I have back problems as well, and I'm thinking I might have to address these before I get close to my mother?s age; because for her, it was too late for surgery (to answer your question). They did consider exactly that option for my mother (blocking the pain receptors) but I don't think she wanted to risk it. Other doctors just either refused to operate on her, or said it was a risky proposition.
    I know it's been a looooong time, but I would appreciate any prayers for my Mom, my husband (he has heart problems, besides some personal issues) and myself (not just health problems, but apartment issues that make our lives very difficult). May God BLESS you and your family, too! Love, Mary Kay xoxo
reply by Wendy G on 04-Sep-2022
    So lovely to hear from you! I am sorry to hear your mother is not happy in her assisted living facility - that does make life so difficult for her and also for you. I will continue to pray for her situation and yours, and also for your husband. It must seem like a mountain of things at times. But you are right to prioritise your spiritual walk, and live just one day at a time. "His grace is sufficient", and His strength is made perfect in weakness. Thanks so much for taking the time to update me. I will ask my Bible Study ladies to pray for you as well, and it will be kept confidential, just known as "my friend Mary". Sending hugs and blessings to help bring you daily peace, perseverance and hope. Sharing Romans 15:13.
    Wendy
Comment from LisaMay
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I would have reviewed this even if it was 'worth' nothing, so I can pass on my hopes and prayers for the lifting of some weight from your shoulders. Yes, I have been wondering about you and now see that life has dished up a multitude of burdens to carry. You never need to apologise for tardy reviews; FS is very secondary when you have such responsibilities elsewhere. I wish you strength and hope. xx

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2022
    You are so kind! Thank you for understanding about tardy reviews; I hope you also understand this very tardy reply. Although Mom is now in assisted living (and not happy there, unfortunately), my husband and I have been dealing with additional burdens and issues all summer, and it hasn't been an easy one. Thank you so much for praying, and God bless you!
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Excellent
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Above all do not apologize! As a friend told me once when I had to step back from FanStory for a while last year "don't worry. FanStory will be here waiting for you when you come back." It is of course appreciated that you let us into your life a bit, so we know 'where you are at' - many of us understand what you're going through, and for my part you have my sympathy and understanding. I think I have already told you if you want to compare notes through PM we can, but if you're too busy don't wrry. Just get on with your priorities, they are the most important at this difficult over-charged time. However, above all, do make sure you carve out a little "you" time every single day, even if it's just to sit and have a cup of tea in total silence, alone with your thoughts. Just think of one thing each morning you really need for you that day, and make sure you get it! You can't care for your mum if you don't have your own reserves of energy, faith and well-being in order. Anyway I'll be thinking of you. God Bless. Kate XX

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2022
    Thank you, dear Kate, for your very kind and understanding review. I know you said that I shouldn't apologize, but I DO apologize for my long delay in responding.
    Mom went into assisted living in mid-July, but is very unhappy there. I haven?t been able to visit because of transportation problems, but we talk on the phone every day. Life has not been much easier for various reasons, mostly having to do with our apartment -- too much to explain, except to say, we haven't had A/C this entire, hot summer.
    I started going to a variety of doctors to address my medical issues, so that's a work in progress. And I hope you'll be seeing more of me on FS, when I'm not too busy dealing with other priorities. Thank you so much, my friend, and may God bless you. Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from John Ciarmello
Excellent
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Hi, Mary kay; we will pray for all of you, for sure. It can't be easy, and I'm sorry for your failing health. Welcome back for the time being and hang in there; your faith will carry you through. Best, JohnC

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 04-Sep-2022
    Thank you so much for your kind review, John, and please accept my apology for my long delay in responding. Although Mom is now in assisted living and my husband and I are at home, life has been very difficult for other reasons and I often have to focus on priorities other than FanStory, as I did before. I have started to address my health issues, and I'm thankful for that. God has certainly been with me throughout all this time, and continues to be. May He bless you, my friend. - Mary Kay