Soldiers in the Same War

Welcome to Caregiver Friday!

The United States is fighting two wars simultaneously.  In addition, the United States is having to deal with weapons testing in North Korea.  If all that weren’t enough you’re caring for someone who has been diagnosed with an illness and is in the fight of their lives.  I’m sure you never expected to be fighting a war, much less a war on your home turf and I literally mean your home turf.

We always want to believe that our homes are invincible and that nothing bad can permeate the walls or cross the threshold of our lives and then the one you love is diagnosed with an illness.  At first you may wonder did your household, your border, relax its defenses in order for this intruder to make its way onto your turf?  The truth is there is no way to secure all your borders so the question is how will you and the one your caring for fight for health and healing.

It’s not about fighting like a boxing match; it’s more like playing a game of strategy.  It’s crucial that you serve as reinforcements for the patient because they may need to rest emotionally and spiritually and you can’t let there be a lapse in border patrol.  You are both fighting the same war.  You were drafted and your length of service has not definitive end.  It ends when one of three things happen; the patient is cured, the patient is in remission or the patient dies. 

How will you keep the troop morale high?  Allowing each of you to express your fears takes the energy out of what could be negative energy.  It releases the negativity making room for healing energy to permeate all aspects of your lives.  It’s about making sure that you continue your training on how to keep strong in tough times on the emotional and spiritual fronts because that will propel you forward on your personal mission as a wellness partner.  It will give you tools you can employ and share with the patient about always keeping your options open, keeping a positive attitude, and knowing that healing is important if curing isn’t in the cards.

Be kind to yourself.  Give yourself leave when you need it.  Know that at times you’ll be the drill sergeant, at times you’ll be the chaplain, and at all times you’ll be the one welcoming them home to the heart every time they cross the threshold.