I have become my father's primary caregiver this last year. He has a host of serious medical issues--including congestive heart failure, liver disease, dementia, HIV. He has also survived 2 strokes. He was already struggling with undiagnosed mental illness before his physical health began to deteriorate. His relationship with me and the rest of our family members is very strained. He has said and done so many horrible things that very few relatives still remain in contact with him. He was just hospitalized for the third time in the past 10 months. Each time he is admitted, his health takes an overall turn for this worse. I have had to navigate managing his finances, moving him out of his apartment, transitioning him into an assisted living facility and then out of the ASL facility when it was closed due to mismanagement of funds. My father isn't even 70 years old yet, but he has the health of a man 20 years his senior. I used to be angry and resentful that he moved to the city where I live without telling me how ill he was. I'm his only child, so there really isn't anyone else (aside from my mother--his ex-wife) to care for him. Right now, I'm just feeling really sad and tearful. I don't feel anger or bitterness anymore, but it's painful to watch my father slowly die at such a, relatively, young age. I know everyone here has their own sad story. How do you all cope? How do you process the grief, sadness and other overwhelming emotions?
My heart aches for you, reading your story. The burden of caring for a parent with such complex medical and emotional needs, on top of a strained relationship, is truly enormous. The emotions you're feeling – sadness, fear, grief, and even acceptance – are all valid and perfectly normal.
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I'm truly sorry to hear about the challenging situation you're facing with your father's health and the strain it's placing on you emotionally. It's clear that you've been through a lot and are dealing with a heavy burden.
Please take care of yourself. Okay?
Remember that it's okay to ask for help and that you don't have to go through this alone. You're doing the best you can in a difficult situation, and your efforts are admirable. Take things one day at a time and be gentle with yourself as you navigate this journey.
Les - Sydney AV Consultants
I'm truly sorry to hear about everything you're going through with your father. It sounds incredibly challenging and emotionally draining. Being a caregiver for a loved one with such complex health issues is a heavy burden to bear, especially when there's a strained relationship involved.
It's completely understandable that you're feeling sad and tearful right now. Watching a parent deteriorate in health, especially at a relatively young age, is a heartbreaking experience. It's okay to feel overwhelmed by grief and sadness during this time. From: slice masters