When we got our dog, Bambi (a golden doodle - terrific dog) my husband said are you sure you want one more special needs individual in your life? He had a point. But we got one anyway, and she helps the other special needs people very much. (although the first year created some very anxiety filled moments)
But this is not about the dog. I toggle my time between caring for my son with Down syndrome and my aging mom with dementia. Many days are almost carefree. He is at school, she is well and watching her favorite movie (Pride and Prejudice) andI am free to shop or have coffe or surf the net or keep house as I see fit. Other days and weeks are not so free.
Take this one for example. I was looking forward to seeing one of my sons in a Mardi Gras parade last Saturday, but that got curtailed when Mom woke up with extreme vomitting and diarhea. Poor thing was a mess. Caregiving. How much have you loved today? Enough to clean up the mess? Enough to comfort? Enough to spend the next 7 hours in the ER while they replace her fluids and send her home? Enough to miss the parade?
It is the kind of thing you just do and think about later. You can't keep counting the costs. You just do what has to be done.
I contracted the stupid virus myself and watched the Saints win the superbowl from my sick bed amid dozing off and trips to the bathroom. May I just say for the record - not fair!
