Affects of Caregiving

Being a caregiver can affect you in so many ways. It affects you physically, emotionally and financially.
It causes stress,angry, frustrated, depression. It also affects you physically you get so tired, high blood pressure sometimes. Not able to get enough rest for your body. Do not eat right gain weight or loose weight. We just do not have time to take care of our body as we should. We seem to always put our love one first. It affects us financially it cost a lot of money to take care of a love one. The supplies are so many and medical supplies and medication cost a lot of money. I know all about this I am the one that picks up the supplies. I have to go to so many different places that it cost a lot for gas also.
I know if God did not help me and my mother we would not be able to make it.
"But my God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Later,
Rebecca

Change

I am a person who does not like change. When I first started taking care of my mother in two thousand and three I did not think I could do it. This was a big change for her, for me and for my family.
I went six years with on break from caregiving. I am just now getting breaks. My precious daughter and son-in-law took my mother to their home for one month last year. This gave me a much needed break. They are planning on doing that for me again this year. This will be my second break. I know how bad I need it.
Hang in there you can do it with God's help.
"I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me. " Philippians 4:13

Later,
Rebecca

Day of Rest

As a caregiver we do not get Sunday off, we still have to take care of our love one. I know God understands this. I do try and let other things go on this day like washing, cleaning the house ect. Genesis 2:2 "Tells us that the seventh day God rested. I try to rest, pray and read God's Word. I don't get to go to church that much I watch it on T.V. and that helps a lot.
Because this is the seventh day if you have never asked Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. I want to give you the opportunity to do so. Just pray this simple prayer and it will change your life and keep you out of hell.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. You said in your Word,"... if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, And shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED" (Rom.10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. Your Word says,..." with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness: And with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation" (Rom.10:10). I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Therefore, I am now saved! Thank You, Lord for my salvation.
If you prayed this prayed sincerely from your heart, then according to God's Word you are saved! I want to welcome you to the family of God. Now tell someone because God says, if we are ashamed of Him He will not confess us before His Father in Heaven. Blog me and tell me. You will never be the same. Rebecca

Energizer Bunny

My mother has a little Energizer Bunny that my cousin bought her because she calls my mother the Little Energizer Bunny. She said, that my mother just keeps going and going. My mother loves this little bunny and keeps in in the bed with her moves it around holds it. I guess she is like the Little Energizer Bunny because God gives her energy to just keep going and going. He also give me energy to just keep going and going.
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29

Later,
Rebecca

A Heart Not A Desire

I have a heart to be a caregiver for my mother not a desire. You can have a heart out of love to do it, but not a desire. I never wanted to be a caregiver. I never even wanted to be a nurse. But here I am doing something I never had a desire to do.
There are some people who do not have the heart or desire to do it. I have people say to me I just could not do what you are doing. You have to have the love (heart) to be able to do it.
Jesus did not want to hang on a cross for us. He had the love (heart) to do it. That is why He did it. I love my mother enough to take care of her. Every caregive rloves enough to do it for that love one.
"Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another." I John 4:11

Later,
Rebecca

Hang In There !!!!!!!!

So many people tell me I could not do what you do. Only with God's help you can. I know all these years going on eight now. It had to be God giving me strength and helping me to hang in there. It is a hard job. I think one of the hardest jobs there is. Being a caregiver is hard.
If anyone had told me that at sixty-seven I would be taken care of my ninety-two year old bed-ridden I would have been in shock. I guess I am shocked even today. But you have to do, what you have to do I always say.
"I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me. "Philippians 4:13.
HANG IN THERE WITH GOD'S HELP YOU CAN DO IT !

Later,
Rebecca

One Day At A Time

God really tells us to take one day at a time. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus said, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: For the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Sometimes this is even hard to do. I know with God's help I can make it no matter how hard it is.
Some days I have more to do I have to play catch up. It will be time to get supplies so it's a day I run from place to place getting supplies. Some days my mother does not feel that good or I don't. And there are some days I just want to run away.
Now I know why God said, to take one day at a time.

Later,
Rebecca

My Blog

Remember this blog has a lot of information in it. If you want to see all the different things I have covered and talked about just go back and click on the subject.
This blog is to share some of my experiences of taking care of my mother for over seven years. Please feel free to blog me and ask questions or just to make comments.
I hope this blog will give you help and bless you in some way. Let me know if this blog has been any help to you.
We as caregivers need to stand together care and pray for each other. We need to know that someone cares for us also.
To be a caregiver is to be a person of love.
Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to goods works.
Later,
Rebecca

Lonely

As a caregiver you get lonely, I know I do. On the week-ends and at night when no one is here but me and my mother I get lonely. My mother is usually asleep and I am alone. It is at this time I have to remember that God said, "I will never leave you or forsake you" Hebrews 13:5. I start praying (talking) to Jesus and reading His Word. I fellowship with him.
We all get lonely at times but a caregiver is confined at home and cannot just get up and leave go some place . We are like shut-ins.
When you are alone and lonely go to God He is with you always.
Later,
Rebecca

Day of Rest

As a caregiver we do not get Sunday off, we still have to take care of our love ones. I know God understands this. I do try and let other things go on this day like washing, cleaning the house ect. Genesis 2:2 “Tells us that on the seventh day God rested. I try to rest and pray and read God’s Word. I don’t get to go to church that much I watch it on T.V. and that helps a lot. Because this is the seventh day if you have never asked Jesus into your heart I want to give you the opportunity to do so. Just pray this simple prayer and it will change your life and keep you out of hell. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus You said in Your Word,”…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, And shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,THOU SHALT BE SAVED” (Rom.10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. Your Word says,”…with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness: And with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation” (rom10:10). I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as My Lord and Savior. Therefore, I am now saved! Thank You, Lord for my salvation. If you prayed this prayed sincerely from your heart, then according to God’s Word you Are saved! I want to welcome you to the family of God. Now tell someone because God says if we are ashamed of Him He will not confess us before His Father in Heaven. Write and let me know. You will never be the same. Rebecca

My Daughter Helps

What About Me ?

Do you ever take time to think about yourself ?
I know most of the time caring for my mother I don't. I don't even take the time to think about how my body feels and what it is going through. I really have to make myself stop long enough to take a look at myself, my body and say hey, I need more rest or I need a little time for myself. A few minutes to say what about me?
So try and take a break and check up on you. Do a minute to say what about me lets check me out and see how me feels, what me needs or even what does me want?
With out a me moment the love one will not receive the help they need.
Take a little time for me !
Isaiah 30:15 "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
Later,
Rebecca

What Does My Mother Want?

Seeing my mother in the shape she is in I guess it is hard to understand how she wants to live like that. I do not believe that I would myself if it was me. But, she does and is happy most of the time. Even though she is not able to do the things she use to do she seems to still be pretty happy. So we must always remember it is what our love one wants.
When she went to the hospital they called me into the room and talked to me about a feeding tube. They asked me what I wanted to do. I said what do you mean? I finely understood that they wanted to make sure I wanted them to do a feeding tube on her. I was shocked I said, I will do what my mother wants and I know what she wants and that is to live so do the feeding tube. I believe it always goes back to what your love one wants.
God says in psalm 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, (or I am sure her) and shew him (her) my salvation.
My mother is not satisfied to go to heaven yet and until she is satisfied to go than she won't go.
Later,
Rebecca

Sadness

Sometimes I look at my mother in that little old crippled up body and it makes me so sad. She once was a very strong woman. She was only five feet four inches tall but a stout, strong woman. Sadness sets in as I remember the woman she use to be and look at her now.
Sadness sets in when I remember how I use to use to put Desitin on my daughter when she was a baby and now I put it on my mother. Sadness sets in when I think about I have changed more diapers on my mother in this almost eight years than she ever changed on me or I ever did my daughter.
There are times when sadness sets in.
I know that this old body just wears out and we have to just understand that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, God's ways are not our ways. I also know that God never meant for out bodies to wear out but because of sin in the Garden Of Eden is what caused it.

Later,
Rebecca

Mouth Swabs

Just a little warning to caregivers. If you use the foam mouth swabs like I do with my mother be very careful. I have had them come off in her mouth. They came off the little stick and was in her jaw. I had to stick my finger into her mouth and pull it out. Now I am sure I never leave her alone while it is in her mouth. This is the only way she can have any water so I have to use them. You just have to be so careful with a love one.
I know that God tells us in Isaiah 41:10 to fear not for he says he is with us. I do not fear but we do have to watch and use good judgment.
Later,
Rebecca

Week-ends and Vacations

When I have my mother to take care of all by myself it is hard. I have her on week-ends and on the times my daughter takes off days for vacations.

That's the time I really have to pray and depend on the Lord to help me. I say Lord you said,"As our days so shall our strength be I ask you for strength today in Jesus name."

There is also times I get tired after almost eight years and being sixty-seven myself I get tired and just want a break. But we are not to be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Galatians 6:9. Also in Luke 18:1 It says that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

So always remember God will help us make it even when we think we can't go on.



Later,

Rebecca

Day Of Rest

As a caregiver we do not get Sunday off, we still have to take care of our love ones. I know God understands this. I do try and let other things go on this day like washing, cleaning the house ect. Genesis 2:2 “Tells us that on the seventh day God rested. I try to rest and pray and read God’s Word. I don’t get to go to church that much I watch it on T.V. and that helps a lot. Because this is the seventh day if you have never asked Jesus into your heart I want to give you the opportunity to do so. Just pray this simple prayer and it will change your life and keep you out of hell. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus You said in Your Word,”…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, And shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,THOU SHALT BE SAVED” (Rom.10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. Your Word says,”…with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness: And with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation” (rom10:10). I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as My Lord and Savior. Therefore, I am now saved! Thank You, Lord for my salvation. If you prayed this prayed sincerely from your heart, then according to God’s Word you Are saved! I want to welcome you to the family of God. Now tell someone because God says if we are ashamed of Him He will not confess us before His Father in Heaven. Write and let me know. You will never be the same. Rebecca

Doing It All

There is so much you have to do to take care of a love one. When they are bedridden like my mother is. She is and not really able to sat up in a wheel chair. She can't even push the covers up or off herself so I have to make sure she is not hot or cold. Everything has to be done by me on my daughter who comes in to help me.
I hate seeing my precious little mother in this shape. She was always so strong.
There are days I don't think I can go on but than I pray and God helps me go on.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me " I know I use this a lot but it reminds me that if I try to do it with out God's help I know I could never do it.
Later,
Rebecca

Swallowing Problems

I can tell my mother has a swallowing problem. Her food does not go down and she tries to swallow and gets upset because it is so hard for her. A lot of the baby food comes out. That is why she is on a feeding tube now. She had some what the doctor called mini strokes before she fell and broke her hip. Strokes can cause this.
I have a suction machine that I use when she has any choking.
Some of the symptoms of a swallowing problem:

Food comes out of mouth.
Hurts when they swallow.
Maybe they try and swallow more than once to get it down.
Tears in eyes when eating.
Hard to swallow pills.
Cough when drinking water.
These are just some of the symptoms watch your love one closely for symptoms.

John 4:14 "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Later,
Rebecca

Feeding Tube

T second time I brought my mother home from the hospital she was on a feeding tube and I sure did not think I could do that. I kept telling my daughter I cannot do this, I cannot do this. Seeing her like that was bad enough but than having to feed her through a tube in her stomach to keep her alive was even worse.
My daughter would quote scripture verse to me that said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 It was so hard to do but I just kept praying and quoting that scripture verse. I finely got to the place where I was able to do what I had to do to take care of my mom.
Remember you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you.

Later,
Rebecca

New Caregivers

To all of you new caregivers who have just begin to take care of a love one. I want to talk to you today. I remember when I first started to take care of my mother. When I first brought her home from the hospital I just did not know if I was going to be able to do it or not. I seemed there was so much to do and so much to remember.
I thank God we had a nurse who came out to help me and teach me so many things. I remember I got a note book and wrote down everything as they told me what to do. I still use a notebook to this day. I write down everything I have to do daily. I write down her blood pressure daily . I also write down the medication I give her, her feeding times ect. Just everything I need to remember.
I know how hard it is when you first start out and you have to learn everything.
Hang in there you can do it.
It says in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
God will help you to be able to do it.

Later,
Rebecca

Blood Pressure

Tell me about Blood Pressure. Do I ever know about it. My mother has high Blood Pressure this has been a battle for her for years. She of course is on medication but there are still times we battle it.
I am also on blood pressure medication and my friend just found out at sixty-three she has it and is trying to work with the doctors to get the right medication to control hers.
This can be a pain I battled it last year.
I have a blood pressure machine and take mine and my mothers daily sometimes several times a day if needed.
I Peter 2:24 By His stripes we were healed.
I am believing God for healing.

Later,
Rebecca

Cleaning Stomach Area

O.k. so I was able to do my mother's feeding tube. I got where I could do that now we have something else that was hard to do.
I had to clean her stomach area where the feeding tube goes in. This was something else that was hard for me.
So here I go again quoting the scripture verse "I can do all things through Christ which strength me."
My daughter was able to do it better than I was. I still hate to do it,but I do with God's help.
Even if there are things we don't enjoy doing God will help us still be able to do it.
I know there are a lot of things in this life that we don't like to do but we can always depend on God to help us.

Later,
Rebecca

Day Of Rest

As a caregiver we do not get Sunday off, we still have to take care of our love ones. I know God understands this. I do try and let other things go on this day like washing, cleaning the house ect. Genesis 2:2 “Tells us that on the seventh day God rested. I try to rest and pray and read God’s Word. I don’t get to go to church that much I watch it on T.V. and that helps a lot. Because this is the seventh day if you have never asked Jesus into your heart I want to give you the opportunity to do so. Just pray this simple prayer and it will change your life and keep you out of hell. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus You said in Your Word,”…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, And shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,THOU SHALT BE SAVED” (Rom.10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. Your Word says,”…with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness: And with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation” (rom10:10). I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as My Lord and Savior. Therefore, I am now saved! Thank You, Lord for my salvation. If you prayed this prayed sincerely from your heart, then according to God’s Word you Are saved! I want to welcome you to the family of God. Now tell someone because God says if we are ashamed of Him He will not confess us before His Father in Heaven. Write and let me know. You will never be the same. Rebecca

Our Good

Sometimes I have to stop and remember that in Romans 8:28God said, that ALL things work together for good. When I look at my mother and I see everything that is going on around me. I get depressed confused and ask the question WHY?. I guess at times we all do this, but I just have to stop and think on God's Word. One day I told the Lord I love you, but sometimes I don't understand you. He said, "I did not ask you to understand me just to trust me."
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Later,
Rebecca

Comfort

As a caregiver we should comfort one another. We know a lot about what other caregivers are going through. I really want to be here for you. I want to be someone you can talk to and pray with. Please blog me and let me know your prayer needs. If you just need someone to talk to I am here. This is one of the reasons I started this blog is to be here for other caregivers.
In II Corinthians 1:3,4 it tells us that God comforts us so we can comfort others.

Later,
Rebecca

Share Love

Let me hear from all you caregivers out there. Lets keep each other lifted up and informed. Caregivers are special people. We are hard workers and sharing God's love with others. We are doing what we are suppose to do. Keep on doing God's good work. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said, "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Always remember this we are doing it unto Jesus.

Later,
Rebecca

Love

I love my little mother so much she is so dear to me. I know all you caregivers feel the same way about your love one
I do this because I love her. It is love that drives us caregivers. Love will find a way.
Yes, there are times when I don't think I can go on but it is God's love that gives me the strength to go on. I know that I could not do this by myself. I have to ask God for strength to make it each day. Love is powerful and that is what held Jesus to the cross I heard one preacher say. I am sure it was the love He had for us.
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another."

Later,
Rebecca

Count Your Blessings

Its time to count your blessings. We must take some time to do this. Just sat down and say God I am so thankful for: Tell Him all the many things you are thankful for in your life. Can you relate?
I am thankful for my daughter who comes to help me five mornings a week. I am thankful for all the other people who make it easier for me. I am thankful for all my love ones. I am thankful for the time I am spending with my mother and the time I have with my daughter. We try to always have lunch together before she leaves each day.
I am thankful I am able to take care of my mother. There are so many things we can be thankful for.
Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits."

Later,
Rebecca

Writing and My blog

I try to keep my blog up to date as much as I can. I am also working on a children picture book. Doing all this with taking care of my mother and going for supplies ect. I am a busy person. I guess it is good to stay busy even at sixty-seven years old.
If there is something you would like to talk about just blog me and lets talk.
There is one thing we can remember to try and do and that is to be content with such things as we have for in Hebrews God tells us to do this and that He will never leave us or for sake us.

Later,
Rebecca

Day Of Rest

As a caregiver we do not get Sunday off, we still have to take care of our love ones. I know God understands this. I do try and let other things go on this day like washing, cleaning the house ect. Genesis 2:2 “Tells us that on the seventh day God rested. I try to rest and pray and read God’s Word. I don’t get to go to church that much I watch it on T.V. and that helps a lot. Because this is the seventh day if you have never asked Jesus into your heart I want to give you the opportunity to do so. Just pray this simple prayer and it will change your life and keep you out of hell. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus You said in Your Word,”…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, And shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,THOU SHALT BE SAVED” (Rom.10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. Your Word says,”…with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness: And with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation” (rom10:10). I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as My Lord and Savior. Therefore, I am now saved! Thank You, Lord for my salvation. If you prayed this prayed sincerely from your heart, then according to God’s Word you Are saved! I want to welcome you to the family of God. Now tell someone because God says if we are ashamed of Him He will not confess us before His Father in Heaven. Write and let me know. You will never be the same. Rebecca