Magic of the Heart
By Jo Cavanaugh
There is no greater magic of the heart than the love that you show for another. I reflect on love at this time because my husband and companion of over 32 years passed away on September 14th.
I am so grateful for having had 32 years with Robert. He was a strong force and the center of my life for so many years. In the last six years his failing health also taught me many lessons. I would like to share one now.
Be strong and don't let circumstances get in the way of what you want to do.
Over the last six years Robert has faced many challenges with disabilities from a stroke and two different types of cancer. He was angry at the disease as anyone would expect, but he didn't let the stroke or cancer take over his dreams. He didn't let his health stop his joy for life.
It was only the last two weeks of his life that he finally had to face his mortality. His bones became so weak that his hip fractured and he was in constant pain.
Robert faced the pain and need for medication with a kind of Zen-like acceptance. It was just one more thing to be added into the equation of his life.
Even with the pain, he managed to find the strength to say his farewells to his children and find peace with his life. We shared our last moments and one final goodbye kiss.
I write of him as a super hero because he was. You see, I am writing from the magic of my heart.
Don't lose sight of your dreams; keep the magic of your heart. There is no better way to live life.
Words of Encouragement
At any time in your life you will always see someone else who is richer, smarter, and more handsome.
You will also see someone who is poorer, dumber, and less attractive.
Life isn't about comparisons of others... we are unique and no one else can do or be what we are. Celebrate what you have not how you compare to another. You are a jewel in God's eye.
Book Award
Maggie, a caregiver from Norfolk, Virginia is the winner of "Stress Reduction for Busy People", by Dawn Groves. Let us know how you liked the book.
Reminders
Don't forget that October is:
Healthy Lung Month
American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
(800)LUNG-USA
info@lungusa.org
www.lungusa.org
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Board of Sponsors
233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60601
www.nbcam.org
National Dental Hygiene Month
American Dental Hygienists' Association
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312)440-8900
ndhm@adha.net
www.adha.org
National Family Sexuality Education Month
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
810 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212)541-7800
education@ppfa.org
www.plannedparenthood.org
National Lupus Awareness Month
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850-4303
(888)38-LUPUS
(301)670-9292
info@lupus.org
www.lupus.org
National Physical Therapy Month
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
703-684-2782 ext. 3248
public-relations@apta.org
www.apta.org
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Association of America
4590 MacArthur Boulevard, N.W., Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007-4226
(800)621-3141
(202)944-3285
sbaa@sbaa.org
www.sbaa.org
National Spinal Health Month
American Chiropractic Association
1701 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
(800)986-4636
AmerChiro@aol.com
www.AmerChiro.org
"Talk About Prescriptions" Month
National Council on Patient Information and Education
4915 St. Elmo Avenue, Suite 505
Bethesda, MD 20814-6082
(301) 656-8565
ncpie@ncpie.info
www.talkaboutrx.org
National Liver Awareness Month
American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038-4810
(800) GO-LIVER
webmail@liverfoundation.org
www.liverfoundation.org
Health Literacy Month
Health Literacy Consulting
31 Highland Street, Suite 201
Natick, MA 01760
(508)653-1199
(508)650-9492 Fax
helen@healthliteracy.com
www.healthliteracymonth.com
National Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Association of America
105 N. Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 236-6000
publicrelations@biausa.org
www.biausa.org
World Blindness Awareness Month
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120
(415) 561-8525
(415) 561-8533 Fax
eyemd@aao.org
www.aao.org
National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Protection Association
1 Batterymarch Park
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269
(800)344-3555 orders only
custserv@NFPA.org
www.nfpa.org
Don't miss the November 2004 issue of "Caregiver Tips" with tips and information on "Gratitude."
Messages for Caregivers
As a caregiver its hard enough to get rest and sleep without the worry of how to pay for medical expenses. I get requests for information on how to control costs for medical expenses all of the time.
If you don't have insurance to cover dental and prescription costs there is a way to reduce costs. AmeriPlan Discount Dental, Vision, Chiropractic and Prescription Membership can provide savings of up to 80 percent on Dental alone.
For more information contact Jerry Ishii, a National AmeriPlan Broker at (949) 582-3379 or link to the website below.
AmeriPlan also offers a way to become a broker and make money while you work part time. Just ask Jerry how he got stated with AmeriPlan.
AmeriPlan Information
So Good I Want To Share It
October is Healthy Lung Month. Here is the American Lung Association's article:
Top Ten Tips for a Healthy Home
1) Declare your home a smoke-free zone. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, especially for children. Ask smokers to take it outside.
2) Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. Leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible to allow for a good supply of outdoor air. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove moisture and chemicals from the house.
3) Keep humidity levels low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as needed. Clean both regularly so they don't become a source of pollutants themselves. Fix all leaks and drips in the home, as standing water and high humidity encourages the growth of mold and other biological pollutants.
4) To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, have all fuel burning appliances inspected by a qualified technician once a year. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping rooms.
5) To keep dust mites and other allergens to a minimum, clean regularly. Wash bedding materials in hot water (at least 130?). Consider replacing carpet with area rugs that can be taken up and washed often.
6) Fit your gas range with a hood fan that exhausts the air outside. Use the fan or open a window when cooking to remove gas fumes.
7) Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic ingredients, and use according to manufacturers directions. Keep your home well ventilated when using these products. Consider switching to less toxic alternatives.
8) Test your home for radon. Use a radon test kit labeled "Meets EPA requirements".
9) Never leave a car or lawn mower running in an attached garage or shed. Avoid the use of unvented heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
10) Call you local Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA for more information about avoiding indoor air hazards in the home.
American Lung Association
Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
AARP has updated their information on Caregiving Stress. Check out the recommendations for reading, exercise, and social contacts to help relieve your caregiving stress.
AARP Caregiving Stress Article
Self Care Tip
Give to your favorite charity and also reduce the clutter in your home.
Are you holding on to old clothing, toys, books, or other items that you think you might use sometime in the future? Have these things taken over your life, your space, and your peace of mind?
Get a bag or some boxes and gather up all of your treasures. Make some room in your life and share your wealth with others. Donate your old clothing, books, and useable items.
You will feel rich because you have shared. You will feel free because you have more space. You will feel happy because it was so easy.
Never let a problem to be solved become more important
than the person to be loved. -- Barbara Johnson
Find out more about Caregiving and receive weekly tips on self care and wellbeing. Subscribe to "Caregiver Tips?".
Sign up for "Caregiver Tips?",
our free monthly ezine,
and enter a drawing
to win a copy of a
selected book on caregiving.
|
|
Can't find what you are looking for? Try Google Search!
|
