Your loved ones sickness affects you as well. Your wife is ill and so are you. Your husband feels down. So do you. Your parents are dying and so are parts of you. Your children have serious problems and you feel nervous, worried, frightened and scared to death. With all of the above issues you feel helpless, out of control, guilty, angry and frustrated.
In general, each member of a family takes on particular responsibilities and when someone in the family is too sick to do the work that was habitually assigned, the whole family feels tense and distracted. It is not just the illness itself that causes problems. It is individual responsibilities like managing finances, making medical appointments, cooking meals, getting prescriptions and total fatigue on the part of caregivers. Caregivers often miss their own appointments and feel totally overwhelmed with their own aches and pains; they often feel angry and feel too guilty to express these negative issues. The work related issues of caregivers are also often impacted as are the financial implications.
It is important that all family members pay attention to their own self care. I can tell you from personal experience that ignoring the needs of those who are providing care does not help anyone. If you are not taking care of yourself, you will be less helpful to anyone else. Make that hair care appointment. Pay attention to your fitness. Eat a healthy diet. Sleep well whenever possible. Watch over your financial responsibilities.
"Almost everything works better if you unplug it for a few minutes - including you." (Lamott)
You may call me if you need assistance with you own self care.