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The Caregivers Window
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Caregivers Window, moderated by Ray Ritchey (Tippy2), features a
blend of his hard learned lessons as he cared for his wife (Tippy)
combined with questions and answers submitted in this caregivers
message board. Tippy was a very much loved and respected,
long time active member of our COPD International family. |
Background
25 years ago, mywife Marilyn and I moved to Table Rock Lake in
Southwest Missouri.
We owned our own business, worked and played
together and truly enjoyed the rural life we were leading. We did
everything together and life was good.
Our first health
problem was her diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1994. This
disease was controlled using medicines with minimal affect on our
lifestyle. Her health began to deteriorate over the next few years
and in 2003 she was diagnosed with COPD-Bronchiectasis and Emphysema
having already been diagnosed with RA, Acid Reflux, High Cholesterol,
early signs of Pulmonary Fibrosis. In March of 2006 she was placed on
Oxygen 24/7. I became her Caregiver having no experience whatsoever.
I knew I had to learn everything possible about these diseases and how
to help her. I researched where I could and visited with doctors,
therapist, nurses, and other professionals at every opportunity
concerning my care for her. I absolutely was determined to provide
the best care possible for her. I took notes visiting with
professionals, watched what and how they administered care to her, and
picked up knowledge anywhere that I could. She in turn maintained a
positive attitude, never gave up on anything and began a long, hard
courageous battle against these diseases. Throughout we were
together, as we desired. Together we faced many, many challenges
along the way. We were fortunate to have an employee, who is also a
very, very dear friend, capable of handling our business when I was
gone to handle caregivers duties and support 24 hrs a day. My wife
maintained her positive attitude and fought to the end. We were
together as we both wanted. She passed away peacefully, in my arms,
at our home on Memorial Day 2009. I will always be so proud of her.
We had lived by
our motto “You and Me, That’s The Way It Will Always Be” and I accept
her passing as only a temporary separation.
Friends, doctors, nurses, and others have
encouraged me to share the knowledge I gained taking care of her with
others as a way to help other caregivers in turn help their loved
ones. I am no professional. However I do hope to be able to help
others in anyway I can.
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