A caregivers story
It is more rewarding than you might think
Every organ donation has 4 stories. The first story and the most important story is the donor themselves. This person lost their life. Before that day this same person said “YES” to organ donation. As selfless act of love for mankind. The second story is the donor’s family. The pain they go through after that loss and the loving joy the feel when they find out how many people were saved from that donation. The third story is the recipient. Someone that was battling to stay a live waiting for the day they receive a new life saving organ donation. And forth story is about the caregiver. This is generally someone related to the recipient. The person who does it all to make sure the recipient stays alive after the transplant.
The first couple weeks of being a caregiver is simple and overwhelming at the same time. The caregiver learns the pills, how to give shots, how clean incisions and how to keep the recipient feeling in tip top shape. Some caregivers have to do other tasks that include helping the recipient do common tasks such as sitting up, laying down, shower and yes go to the bathroom. The job never ends.
For the first six weeks or so the recipient needs to go back to the hospital on a daily basis, then weekly, then monthly, etc.. It’s the caregiver that has to drive, sit through the day while the recipient has one test after another. The caregiver has to listen and pay attention to the medical staff on medication and other changes the recipient needs to do. After all, it is the caregiver that will me making these changes.
In most cases the caregiver role goes even deeper, they must cook, shop, clean the house and pretty much take care of everything on their own. Most recipients are not permitted to do some of the work.
Just as everything seems to be doing well with the recipient and the caregiver thinks they can relax, that’s when it hits. A sickness of any type, the caregiver once again must jump into action. Once again having to get work, take care of meds and everything else that’s needed.
Some caregivers gladly accept all the responsibilities, some have troubles including depression.
As someone that lived the life of a caregiver for over 14 years, I can tell you that you must stay on top of things. You cannot allow the recipient to forget their medications, get their blood tests, breathing test, etc… In my case I said I do for better or worse. I was a caregiver until the day my wife passed. I did my absolute best to keep my wife alive. She made it 14 years and 2 transplants.
If you are struggling my advice it “You can do it!” We humans have a way of handling stress and emotions when under pressure. For me it was knowing that if I failed, my wife would fail. You won’t fail, you might make a mistake or 3. But you will be a great caregiver.