Hi Jane,
Believe it or not but you're the first person that has reminded me of how life WILL change! At least the first one who has said it in a way that my brain could wrap around AND that I could respect. I cannot listen to family about this topic because of their lack of involvement with the day to day care of my father... they simply do NOT know what I go through and don't make the effort to find out so their advice is not welcome and they usually don't bother to try.
I'm on the brink of doing great things with my life and yes, I feel an impatience to move forward. The things I want to do will make a difference to others, especially to young children, and I think that the need to actually help someone is what is driving me, and driving me crazy as well!
The helplessness I feel in the face of ALS is a motivating force. I am the kind of person that sees a solution to every problem but my father suffering from ALS holds NO solutions, only reaction. I have chosen to react by being totally available to him and it has cost me but I knew it would. I knowingly sacrificed my job, my relationship with my husband (it wasn't very good to begin with) and have put off dreams and goals, so that I could be there for my Dad. The rewards is no regret in relation to him as well as irreplaceable memories. I would not have changed the way that I chose to handle his illness even though I have moments of sadness at the place I am in right now in my life. Yes, I feel imprisoned but I do know it will not last forever and when I think about the prison he is in I feel guilty for these thoughts and feelings. However, I know it's human and normal. I think what makes me stand out is that I can admit it and I am learning to talk about it.
It is not easy to admit these things, especially for someone like me who likes to stay behind the scenes and go by as unnoticed as possible but I recognize that for me to survive this experience with a healthy mind, I need to talk about it with people who understand. Doing that will not only make me feel better but I think it can help others that feel similar ways but are afraid to talk about it. I know that my venting puts words to what some others are feeling but are afraid to express lest they be judged as selfish people.
Again, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I needed it more than you know!
Take care,
Sandy
Believe it or not but you're the first person that has reminded me of how life WILL change! At least the first one who has said it in a way that my brain could wrap around AND that I could respect. I cannot listen to family about this topic because of their lack of involvement with the day to day care of my father... they simply do NOT know what I go through and don't make the effort to find out so their advice is not welcome and they usually don't bother to try.
I'm on the brink of doing great things with my life and yes, I feel an impatience to move forward. The things I want to do will make a difference to others, especially to young children, and I think that the need to actually help someone is what is driving me, and driving me crazy as well!
The helplessness I feel in the face of ALS is a motivating force. I am the kind of person that sees a solution to every problem but my father suffering from ALS holds NO solutions, only reaction. I have chosen to react by being totally available to him and it has cost me but I knew it would. I knowingly sacrificed my job, my relationship with my husband (it wasn't very good to begin with) and have put off dreams and goals, so that I could be there for my Dad. The rewards is no regret in relation to him as well as irreplaceable memories. I would not have changed the way that I chose to handle his illness even though I have moments of sadness at the place I am in right now in my life. Yes, I feel imprisoned but I do know it will not last forever and when I think about the prison he is in I feel guilty for these thoughts and feelings. However, I know it's human and normal. I think what makes me stand out is that I can admit it and I am learning to talk about it.
It is not easy to admit these things, especially for someone like me who likes to stay behind the scenes and go by as unnoticed as possible but I recognize that for me to survive this experience with a healthy mind, I need to talk about it with people who understand. Doing that will not only make me feel better but I think it can help others that feel similar ways but are afraid to talk about it. I know that my venting puts words to what some others are feeling but are afraid to express lest they be judged as selfish people.
Again, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I needed it more than you know!
Take care,
Sandy