It isn't so much as being cranky and tired, although that will contribute to my current feelings.
I keep a paper journal. You know, one of those spiral notebooks with paper in it. The kind you have to actually pick up a pen and write with.
I use it to write down meandering thoughts and mostly the stuff I won't post anywhere on the internet. I can say what I really want to say about certain things without the danger of anyone being offended.
I can approach politics, religion, medical care, and people without any blow back. Well, I suppose if the journal is looked at after I am dead, somebody somewhere may be offended.
I finally realized the Why as to How I was Feeling.
I have run out of empathy and sympathy.
One friend who visited did nothing but talk about his 'situation' and his hardships and his struggles when he came to visit. In the past I offered empathy and listened intently.
My Respite girl who keeps showing up late has offered up her tales of woe without me asking for them. Normally I am the type of person that will listen and figure out if there is a way I can help or perhaps show verbal support. [Her tales of woe include 'excuses' for how and why she ends up being over an hour late].
[My thought on inconsistency is this. If I cannot depend on her to be timely, can I entrust her to care for my husband while I am not home?
Hubby's thought is this. He is a Vietnam Veteran who fought in ground battles in country. IF a person did not have your back and did not act with responsibility, you could die. Pretty simple and direct views in my opinion.]
Here I had two people who came to 'give' me Respite and comfort [Shay's job is this] ... didn't. Instead they focused on their issues and problems and dumped them on me.
So while rambling and writing...this light bulb came on and suddenly I felt much better. I understood where my darkness was coming from and why it was bothering me.
Here were two people over a period of days expressing all their challenges. They forgot that they were expressing their challenges, issues, problems, to someone who is caring 24/7 for a person who is dying.
They seem to forget that I am having daily emotional mountains to climb. Every day, I watch my soul mate disappear little by little. I am putting everything in my life on hold for his care. I am giving up the things I love to do and things that give me strength and emotional release for him.
My inner self has built a wall that never shows really how I feel on the outer self.
[It's complicated--> that is how I grew up--> some day I may explain that ... just say, that is how I survived an abusive childhood with mom.]
I'm done feeling empathy and giving support right at this moment for those who need and crave it at every turn.
Shay did show up on Tuesday and offered up some incredible 'reasons' for being late. She claims they are not excuses and said sorry sorry sorry about 100 times.
I was chilled to the bones, I just raised one eyebrow as she dug herself deeper into a hole with me. Could she not read my face? Was she so wrapped up in her issues that she could not see how stiff I became? Did she not feel the cold air wafting off me?
She begged to let her come on the 4th where she could make Holiday pay and I reminded her that my Granddaughter would be here and that it would be family time. She asked to come another day [to make up for her loss of pay]. I stated that I'd see her Tuesday the 8th at 9:30 sharp.
I'm giving her Tuesday because I have a car appointment that I need to get to. After she is done with her shift ...if she shows, I am calling her company and the VA to let them know that she is not living up to expectations.
This issue changes the dynamics of trust which is a very big issue for hubby and I.
Is it empathy that some people lack or just a lack of situational awareness? Perhaps both. You tracing the root or partial root of your feelings must be somewhat helpful. From what I can see, you are doing incredibly well under very difficult circumstances that would flatten some of us.
ReplyDeleteOh Val,I wish I could help in some small way. My heart goes out to you as you make it through the troublesome waters of Caregiving.
ReplyDeleteYou have a full plate. No room for anything else. It is sad that others don't understand this. Especially the aide. You can be the sympathetic friend later. Now the focus is on you and your husband. I'm so sorry.
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