Reducing caregiver burnout

[obsidianom]

I am as much invested in each dialysis treatment as my wife is. Keeping her alive and feeling ok is worth any amount of time and investment. She always feels so much better immediately after dialysis on Nxstage.
Yes at times it is tiring and I am considering retiring from my remaining medical practice soon due to the demands of taking care of my wife. But I do this happily for her.
We have been doing dialysis for almost 3 years now. 

[PrimeTimer]

I am as much invested in each dialysis treatment as my wife is. Keeping her alive and feeling ok is worth any amount of time and investment. She always feels so much better immediately after dialysis on Nxstage.
Yes at times it is tiring and I am considering retiring from my remaining medical practice soon due to the demands of taking care of my wife. But I do this happily for her.
We have been doing dialysis for almost 3 years now.

Dr. O: You and your wife's story motivate me to be a better care partner. I am lousy at it but I do it and will keep doing it and hopefully at some point it won't seem so darn overwhelming (for my mind AND my body). 

[obsidianom]

I am as much invested in each dialysis treatment as my wife is. Keeping her alive and feeling ok is worth any amount of time and investment. She always feels so much better immediately after dialysis on Nxstage.
Yes at times it is tiring and I am considering retiring from my remaining medical practice soon due to the demands of taking care of my wife. But I do this happily for her.
We have been doing dialysis for almost 3 years now.

Dr. O: You and your wife's story motivate me to be a better care partner. I am lousy at it but I do it and will keep doing it and hopefully at some point it won't seem so darn overwhelming (for my mind AND my body).

Thank you.    But I don't think you could possibly be 'lousy at it'".   You obviously care a lot from your posts and take it quite seriously. That is really what it is about.  Keep up the good work.

[pianoflute2]

I'm scared I'm already experiencing burnout, and I've only been taking care of my brother for about two weeks, and he's been in the hospital the whole time! Luckily I'll get this Saturday off. It's especially hard because I'm having to move from Florida to Utah, and I miss my home. I hope it will be better once he's home.

[cassandra]

Dear Piano I really can imagine the stress you are under with all the things happening at the moment with your brother. the shock must have been incredible. I remember that my family was in shock when I was first admitted, and when I'm in hosp now it's way worse for hubby than when I'm doing HHD. I read in one of your posts that his kidneys could still kick in, and that your brother is trying really hard to do everything he needs to do, so try and do some 'me' things on your next Saturday off?

Love and strength and luck, Cas

[pianoflute2]

Thanks Cas, it was very scary and shocking! And this hospital environment is just draining my energy... But I promised my brother I'd be there for him, and I'm going to be there the whole time. This Saturday I'm going to the local amusement park with a friend, so that should really help me wind down, it's just getting to Saturday that's becoming an issue! I keep breaking down and just crying....

[PrimeTimer]

One way to eliminate the type of burnout one feels from fielding repetitive questioning and/or negative remarks from friends and family, is to either do it the time consuming way and slowly cut them out of your life, learn to ignore them, which also can be time consuming (depending on your level of experience) or, if you're really up to it and wanting instant results (notice, I didn't say gratification) and don't think they'll sue you, slap them silly.