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How To Survive The Difficult Situation Of Providing Hospice And Love Yourself

March 16th, 2021 by Audrey Weidman

difficult life experiences
 
It’s been almost three months, but I’m ready to share a bit of what has been going on with our family. I want to share because it may be helpful to you someday.  Maybe you’ve already gone through this and know how far you have come. Or maybe you have some advice to share with me…
 
I had an eventful Christmas Eve this year. We had an unexpected guest arrive. My husband Dan went to visit his 95 year old father Larry on Christmas Eve. When he arrived Dan found Larry on the floor with no idea of how long he had been there. Dan called me up and told me he was bringing his father home. 
 
I had been focused on my turkey dinner and was enjoying the company of my daughters and their boyfriends. I hadn’t seen my youngest daughter for 10 months due to Covid. But now we readied the house to welcome my father-in-law. My newly renovated office needed to be rearranged. We moved in a twin bed and cleared out my office essentials. 
 
The first night was tough. Larry was in a delirium.  He called out “I want to go home”.  He even said he wanted to die.  He threw off the covers over and over.  And we were afraid he’d try to get out of bed and fall again. My husband Dan slept on the living room couch close to the office to monitor the situation.  It wasn’t the start any of us wanted for the Christmas holiday.
 
Here is the thing I don’t want to admit, but it’s the truth. I didn’t care for Larry very much.  The relationship I had with my father in-law was polite.  He was tough, negative, and blunt.
 
And in the coming days I felt a range of negative emotions:difficult life experiences
 
  • Disappointment
  • Resentment
  • Frustration
  • Overwhelm
  • Self-Pity
  • Confusion
And SHAME for feeling all of them. Larry is old and vulnerable and scared.
 
Now I am a stress transformation coach, and yet I was super-stressed even though I had “all the tools”.  I developed lower back muscle pain. My shoulders were tense. My blood pressure was sky high. I couldn’t sleep well.
 
The body keeps the score.  The body doesn’t lie.  I was STRESSED!
 
But in time I came to learn more about Larry. He has short term memory issues, but the memory loops of his past are vivid. He saw the European and Pacific war theaters during World War II.  As he so often said, he got to “tour the world” beginning at the tender age of 18!  He saw many of his friends die in combat.  He saw devastation everywhere – but never revealed those details. These war time memories were certainly the most traumatic of his life. They most definitely shaped who he became.  These memories certainly come up most often.  He undoubtedly would’ve benefited from therapy, but at the time it was not offered.
 
Other vivid memories include his childhood in Chicago during the Great Depression. His mom had to care for 6 children, largely by herself.  His father was mostly absent because he suffered from depression. He left the family twice and admitted himself into a sanitarium.  When his dad was was home, Larry would tell us about the fighting and swearing that went on between his parents.  And there was always lot of stress around money.    To help his mother out, he sent home anything he could spare from his army paycheck.
 
difficult life experiencesThe courtship of his wife Mavis are happy memories. He met her while working in the Wisconsin Northwoods after the war.
 
I’ve come to understand things now.  People aren’t born negative or tough.  Circumstances shape who we become.  A person develops habit loops of thinking.  Of looking for evidence to support the beliefs like “Money Is Scarce”, “You Gotta Fight For What’s Yours”.  They believe what they see is “truth” instead of looking for other possibilities and opportunities. 
 
Reflecting on all this, my emotions started to shift. I have a better understanding of Larry’s life experience. I feel compassion for the young man who had so many difficult life experiences. I respect Larry – the husband and father – for never swearing at his wife or children.  (My husband only ever reported hearing the word “damn” slip now and then).
 
I am proud of my husband Dan for taking such great care of his father Larry.  I’m happy to know that we in turn have support from Dan’s siblings and from my daughters. Our daughters (and significant others) see how “Team Weidman” works under pressure. That we live by the motto  “no man left behind”.  I feel a lot of love during this crazy time.
 
What I came to learn from all this upset, is that I needed to be with the feelings I was feeling. It’s misleading to think you can just push this under the rug. Larry moving into our house is big stuff and not easily compartmentalized.  I went for long walks with my husband and also with friends.  I started to vocalize what I was feeling and some of the load lifted.  I felt self-compassion.
 
Hospice is a difficult situation. I am not the only one who experienced this. Nor will I be the last.  I am not better than other people. I’m just like everyone else – I’m human. And what I am feeling is normal.  As much as I’d like to be in charge of this situation, I’m not.  I accepted and surrendered to this situation. And then I let it be…
 
difficult life experiences
 
The next day I woke up. I slept through the night! My back pain stopped. My shoulders weren’t tense. My blood pressure returned to normal. I was no longer stressed!  It was such a powerful realization.  I just had to surrender and allow the situation to unfold.  Nothing changed other than my mindset. 
 
difficult life experiencesMy father-in-law is still here. He often talked about his sergeant barking out the order to “Pack it up!”. Larry would ask “Where are we going? “. The sergeant would reply “What do you care?”  Larry would continue …”What size pack?”  Sergeant would bark back “Full combat pack”.  Well now Larry will be packing it up for good.  He will not be taking his combat pack with him, instead he will find peace in his final home.
 
The process of dying isn’t easy to watch.  But we will all face this one day. Larry is teaching me to become wiser and focus on what is really important in life. 
 
My husband and I need to take some breaks from hospice care. Other family members are stepping in to help. This will allow us to be fresh for new challenges as Larry’s condition worsens.
 
We need to seek out things that bring us joy.  I want to make my job here on earth about proactively filling my memory bank with happy times. I want to be remembered for having zest for life. I have that POWER. And you do too.  Following JOY and having LOVE can conquer all.

 
Has the retelling of my experience helped you?  Have you gone through something similar?  I would love it if you would share.  Please let me know and leave a comment.  
 
Audrey is a stress transformation coach. She uses evidence based tools helping others to transform their stress.  She walks the talk and is a compassionate coach.  For a complimentary consultation, schedule it here.

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17 thoughts on “How To Survive The Difficult Situation Of Providing Hospice And Love Yourself”

  1. Pat Rinkenberger says:

    Thank you for sharing your update, humanity, growth, and what you have learned as you walk with Larry during his final chapter. And, thank you for modeling the need for self care, even in this situation. I’ll continue to keep you all in my prayers and positive thoughts.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Pat thank you so much for your kind words and offer of support through prayer. I am a BELIEVER and know we can benefit from prayer.

  2. Walter Flor says:

    Audrey,
    This is stunning to read and to realize how your family had to shift in unexpected ways to be a helping hand in Larry’s hospice journey. My experience with my father was rough, his with his parents was rough and the fractured person that was my father made life rough for everyone he encountered his entire life. At some point we rise above, do the right thing, step up and offer who we are and what we have. Thankfully you all moved in this direction. I have come to realize the prickly person my father was is still God’s creation and His to love even though I could not. I wish you strength and some degree of peace as you move forward. Thank you for sharing this part of your life’s journey.
    Walter Flor

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Thank you Walter for sharing a bit about your family life. Family can be complicated. I consider myself a more mature “adult” now – able to step back and take the 10,000 foot view. And know that yes, we are all children of God – none of us is a mistake. As much as we can, we need to show compassion for that inner child that is in all of us. As the transition begins to happen, that inner child becomes more evident.

  3. Norma Eckblad says:

    Very well written, Audrey. We brought home my Mother and she spent her last 9 mos. in our home. I composed a blog but my link is not working. Need to revisit and fix it. She passed March 26th, 2010.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Thank you Norma. So you have an anniversary coming up shortly. It is difficult but by God’s grace I hope to be surrounded by those I love when it becomes my turn.

  4. Carolyn Morgan says:

    Audrey, what a beautiful story of your transformation. Having Larry in your home is a huge gift for him, but it sounds like also for your entire family. Thank you for being so honest about all of your feelings. To find compassion for Larry and his hardships that molded that man he is, is a blessing. You are living the experience of conscious dying.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      I’ve learned so much – about who we are in essence and what it comes down to. Yes I feel more compassion and the more child-like he becomes, in some ways it’s easier.

  5. Debbie says:

    Audrey, Fellow WESOS sister here. Thank you for posting the link on Facebook. You touched on so many things that make us human. Your families motto is one many do not have any longer. It’s a longing I have for my family. The main point I’d like to mention is how your blog is a blend of the Artist way and the idea of writing your feelings and thoughts down getting it out of your head is cathartic. Taking it day by day and listen to your body is great advice.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Awww thank you. Yes it was cathartic. I really feel the release in having released this blog post.

  6. Liz Moore says:

    Wonder filled honesty. I too have experienced caring for my husband during progressive lung desease and eventual time in icu followed by hospice at home. I often say we must feel in order to heal – from many experiences. God Bless Audrie.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Yes I remember when you lost your hubby. I just had to write down what I was feeling. It helped me to process it.

  7. Cindy Shroba says:

    Beautiful sentiments, Audrey! It’s so good to hear that you’ve done the work, and now understand your FIL better, and I’m sure that has benefited everyone around you. It’s good to see you’ve taken the time to express and work through your feelings, and to let others know what they can possibly expect. I have had to watch more than my share of family members go through hospice care, and cannot say how much their hard work, advice and experience gave to me. Being with someone day in and day out who is not the person you know them to be is incredibly hard. But for you, finding more compassion about why he is who he is has had to be an amazing revelation for you and your family. Keep up the good, and the hard, work – you’re all worth it! You will be in my prayers.

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Thank you so much. I decided to vocalize my feelings because I know so many people who would off-handedly say they had a loved one in hospice. But I didn’t know what that meant. I knew it was hard. And I’m happy to share my shadow thoughts because I am hopeful it will help others

  8. Kathy Tyler says:

    Audrey,
    Do beautifully written. From someone such as myself whose personally lived through these experiences with my Dad who had dementia I can relate! Also being a Director of an Assisted Living I never want to lose sight of how hard this is for each and everyone if my families to go through. I’d love to share your story with others! Bless you & thank you for all this work to help others you’re doing!

    • Audrey Weidman says:

      Kathy thank you for your kind words. And thank you for the work you do. We were almost ready to put Larry into a facility when he decided it was time. And if you feel my piece will help others, please pass it along. The writing of this, helped me immensely.

  9. Donna Jones says:

    Such a beautiful story of compassion for family and yourself. Caring for your loved ones is a gift and sometimes we cannot see it in the moment. Caring for my grandma is my life’s greatest joy. We had a wonderful relationship and I miss her every day. Thank you for sharing your story!

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