{"product_id":"a-caretakers-tale-a-story-of-caring-through-the-shadow-valley-9781977271556","title":"A Caretaker's Tale: A Story of Caring Through the Shadow Valley","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter former first lady Rosalynn Carter died, an article in the Washington Post appeared quoting her as having said, \"there are only four types of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who need caregiving themselves.\" - Washington Post Nov. 20, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI was confronted with the \"those who will be caregivers \", after my sister had a second Heart attack. When she looked at me with those sad blue eyes and said, \"I can't stay by myself anymore.\" I knew in my heart that I would do whatever I could to be with her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince I am a widow, living by myself, there was only a minimal barrier for me to change my lifestyle. The emotional aspect of it, however, was a different matter. Would I be able to do whatever needs to be done? How about helping her physically? Helping her in her daily hygiene? What if her memory starts to fade?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce I committed myself to be at her side, I took each scenario one step at a time. I learned how to take her blood-pressure, her oxygen level, watch her weight etc. After several months she did need help with her personal hygiene. With the help of God, I learned to adapt to each situation. We both overcame any feelings of modesty and reservations we may have held.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe often used prayer and songs to help us in difficult situations. My sister especially used prayer in making the decision of either staying at home or going to a nursing home. Her wish was to stay in her home as long as possible. After six months she finished her journey with only the last two days in a hospice facility.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy sharing my story, I hope to encourage people and gain some knowledge of what to expect when being confronted with the task of being a caregiver. Trivial things that we never thought of may come up and it is a comfort to learn that other people had similar experiences and how they handled it and adapted to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Outskirts Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50916469178642,"sku":"9781977271556","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d9e4ea28-836b-4d74-b55b-9d800cebdbc2.jpg?v=1738851041","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/a-caretakers-tale-a-story-of-caring-through-the-shadow-valley-9781977271556","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}