Taking care of my mom as she’s going through radiation and chemo.

[Lizzy712]

hi. I’m new here. I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression my entire life. It has been worse the last few years. And now even worse with taking care of my mom and taking family leave. I stay with my parents during the week and go home most weekends. I don’t go anywhere because I’m afraid to be around anybody because of Covid and flu. Im going crazy

[Hidden]

Hi Lizzy, just read your post and wanted to express my respect and concern for your Mum and yourself. Oncological treatments can be very debilitating and so care can also be commensurately debilitating.

The SARS-CoV-2 infection is an infection that you can regulate yourself in someways because the risk to your Mum is likely measurable by knowing her present immune response profile. Your Medicare Dr could give you that indicator of risk.

Apart from that, listen to some blue grass and relax in the sun reflecting on the genetic diversity of the hillbilly, who despite many epigenetic reasons to be a concern, still manages to speak through music. God bless. 😀

[Agora1]

Hi Lizzy, you are going through a very stressful period in being your mom's caregiver.

Taking you out of your home for the week as you take care of your mom is wearing

both physically and emotionally. You must remember that this is also about you as

well.

If you don't take care of yourself, your mom has no one.

I don't know if you are considered "on call" 24/7 for those 5 days or if you have

any help should you need it.

Whatever the situation, when you go home for the weekend, it sounds like you

are than trapped in your own home due to the fear of Covid/Flu. We are human,

we need people contact, Taking proper precautions by wearing a mask and even

surgical gloves can protect you enough to be able to go places where others are.

It could make a world of difference in your mental status by getting out on the weekends.

This is your "me time". And when you are at home, use that time to embrace your freedom

to take a long bath soak, do your hair, nails, whatever. Have some quiet time where you

can just curl up under a blanket, sip on a hot cup of tea and read or watch a movie of your

choice. Clear your mind of the week's events and regenerate. It's important to your

physical welfare. This will also help keep your immune system up to par and keeping you

safer from getting sick. I wish you well as I do your mother as well. xx

[Weelon]

Hi Lizzy, sometimes you’ve got to look after no1 in order to look after others & for your own sanity. Take care.

[Lizzy712]

thank you all for your support and suggestions. It is really appreciated. Agora1 when I go home I usually take one day to just do nothing like you said. And the other day I see my son and 6 month old grandson. It’s the Best Therapy to spend the day with them. I wear a mask whenever I go anywhere as to protect myself and mom. I have 3 siblings but 2 have younger children and my older sister is to into herself to help. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I need to be here for mom. She’s my best friend. 🙏🏻🙏🏻