We currently live in Cary NC. My husband received a majority of his medical treatment and recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. My husband was in the army for 7 years before he was medically retired due to injuries he sustained in Iraq. I became his primary caregiver as soon as he was medevac’d home. Before he was injured I was a certified pharmacy technician. Now I am his sole care provider and 95% of my time is spent taking care of him and making sure his needs are met. Being his primary caregiver can be exhausting. There are times where I feel more like a nurse than a spouse. I have given up my job to be able to stay home and care for him. I am currently a full time student as well as a mom and my husband’s caregiver. I am pursuing my degree in Healthcare management and Social Work. The Quality of Life Foundation has provided me with tools and supplies to be able to have “me” time. As a caregiver it is important for me to be able to decompress and just have time to myself doing the things that make me happy. Thanks to the foundation I have been able to further my passions for photography, cake decorating, and embroidery.
My favorite inspirational quote is:
“Life has a way of testing our anchors and tempting us to drift. Nevertheless, if our anchors are correctly placed in the rock of our Redeemer, they will hold no matter the force of the wind, the strength of the tide, or the height of the waves.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
My advice to new caregivers is to have patience. As a caregiver we can often become frustrated at the situations we see our loved ones in. By having patience you allow yourself to be able to come up with multiple solutions to the problems. I would like to tell the average American that I am grateful for this life. I know that sounds strange but I am truly grateful for this experience. It has given me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that are made so that we can live freely in America. I have a new found sense of pride in America and for what those who have come before us have done to allow us to live this way. Without men and women like my husband and his brothers and sisters in arms we would have a much different life. You may not have to support the politics and decisions that are made for us but you should support those who leave their families and go into harm’s way so that you can continue to live free.