Just a few words to say. I thank God for many blessings. My husband is home. We are home. My new job is a challenge.
I miss writing blog posts and reading them and commenting. I haven’t abandoned my blog. Please, don’t think so. I’m in training as caregiver, laundry maid, cook, dishwasher, housekeeper, activity director, sanitation inspector, lift operator, calendar coordinator of home health staff, procurement specialist of medical supplies, and wife. The faster I learn to combine all these into one super position, the sooner I’ll have time to blog. I’m having fun. Don’t feel sorry for me. As long as my hubby’s health holds up, I’m smiling.
I’m making headway. When I find a way to get 6 to 7 hours of sleep at night, I’ll be ready to blog. Not uninterrupted sleep. My hubby must be checked, his position changed, and his clothing and bedding refreshed once or twice during my sleeping hours. At first, I didn’t think I could do it, but I can. It is getting easier. I wake up without an alarm. I perform all those duties without disturbing my husband. Well, yes, I do disturb him, but he doesn’t wake up. Really. He never opens his eyes. Smooth. I’m an expert at being ignored.
God provided me with a new friend. She joined me in my chariot of fire for the five weeks that my husband was in the facility, and she continues to help me at home. She has had CNA training (certified nursing assistant). She is a wonderful help to me and a dear friend. God is good! Praises to Jehovah Jireh, our Provider!
Thank you all for your prayers and kind comments. I hope to add blogging to my days again very soon. Blessings to you all…
Cah4el's Blog 
Carol Ann–
glad to hear from you!
I will continue to pray for you and Johannes. God is good and will give you everything you need.
blessings!
Jane
(hey–I am over at http://www.justjanenow.wordpress.com)
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I like your new blog home. I read your post and commented.
Thank you for your prayers and for your encouragement. Blessings to you, Jane…
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That’s all well and good, Carol, but PLEASE! Take care of yourself, too! If you get overworked and tired, then Johannes will suffer! It is important to get time out of the house regularly! Go somewhere. See a movie, take a walk, whatever, just do it! I know from experience! Love to you and your dear husband. God is good.
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I’m very fortunate. I have a friend and helper. She watches my hubby while I go shopping and run errands. I haven’t yet suffered from being isolated. I will remember your advice. It’s good advice. Thank you, Paula, and blessings to you…
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Your attitude is such an encouragement to me! I’m glad your husband is at home. I’ll keep praying for you as you make this transition to a new schedule…but still serving the Lord as beautifully as ever!! đŸ™‚
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Thank you, jacsprat. I appreciate your prayers. Prayer has brought such blessing in our lives. I feel very blessed to have Johannes back at home. Thank you for remembering us. Blessings to you…
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Now all you need is a cape…all Superheroes have them. đŸ™‚ Love and blessings to you!
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Love and blessings to you, too, Patti. I did paint such a picture, didn’t I? I wish it were true, but I’m just a novice. I watched everything the caregivers did in the facility. They made it look easy. There was a day shift and a night shift. A kitchen staff and a laundry staff, etc. You see how it works. At home the caregiver covers the day shift and the night shift and fills all positions herself. But there is one sweet advantage. I have only one patient, my own dear husband. Ah!
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I’m so glad your husband was able to return home. I’ll continue praying for both of you.
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Thank you, Carol. Your prayers are precious, and we appreciate you. Blessings…
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Great news, Carol – I’m glad your husband is home now. I like that you’re still able to have a sense of humor with all you have going on (“He never opens his eyes. Smooth. I’m an expert at being ignored.”)
Look forward to having you back around the blogosphere đŸ™‚
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Thank you, Janna. I, too, look forward to being back around the blogosphere. I don’t think it will be long, but it won’t be just yet. I’m still learning, and being a novice is killing my body. I exaggerate a little. My body is not dying. It’s getting stronger day by day. And, when the beginning of this endeavor fades into the middle, I’ll have time. Blessings to you…
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Carol — I, too, am so thankful that Johannes is able to be at home. What a blessing for both of you!
I am praying for YOUR good health (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). I’m thankful to know that you have a devoted friend who helps you to be able to take breaks — but you still have a monumental job — and I hope you will be able to take care of “Carol, the Loving Caregiver”!
Take time for blogging only when it is a good outlet for you — Don’t ever feel obligated to post for the rest of us. Blogging doesn’t need to be a chore — and you certainly don’t need another thing to keep on your ‘to do’ list. I’m sure your other readers will continue to pray for you, just as I do, even when you aren’t able to post.
God bless you both! đŸ™‚
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Thank you for your prayers for ME. Only the grace of God keeps me making it through. Johannes must get through it, too. He’s used to professionals handling him. Now he has a lady baboon flopping him back and forth on the bed twice as many times as as they did. “Oops. Excuse me. I have to do that again.” Sometimes he looks at me in disbelief. He cannot speak, and there may be a hidden blessing in that at this moment in time. Sometimes a look is worth a thousand words. He gives me the “look”. I also know how to ignore. I must. I’m learning to do this job because I want to do it. My hubby has no say in it, because he cannot speak or write, and has Alzheimer’s. How frustrating for him. I know he wanted to come home, but perhaps he didn’t realize what that would mean. Wife the Baboon!
I want to blog. I don’t feel that I have to do it. I am waiting for the Lord to show me that it’s time to start again. I posted this update, but it’s not the beginning of my return. I just wanted to touch bases with all who have been praying for us. Thank you for your prayers and your concern for me. It is well founded. I’m struggling, but glad to be doing it. Blessings to you, Carol…
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Yay! I have been waiting to hear that your husband is home. Caregiver you can do, I’m sure. Weren’t you already? Just a new normal. My prayers continue and my wish for renewed strength to you to be the best caregiver ever!
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Thank you for your continued prayers and your wish for my renewed strength. I need it. We both need strength. I must learn how to perform my tasks skilfully, and my hubby must bear with me through the journey. What choice does he have? I like to think that he would choose to do so if he could. Yes, I was a caregiver already, but my husband walked with a cane, dressed himself, shaved himself, walked through Walmart with me pushing the cart, slowly, but steadily. I’ve said a few times on my blog that I had a cushy job caring for him. Yes, this is a new normal, and it is requiring some adaptation. I’m getting better at it, but there is a lot to learn, skills that will make our lives easier when I develop them. Thank you again, Leslie. Blessings to you…
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I wish I could fly there and help you, you truly are an amazing being my sweet, priceless friend. My loving prayers are always with you. I often think about you during the day time, I was getting worried about you then your post came.
It will be great if you can manage some time to blog, till then, please do leave us a weekly message to let us know you are alright.
We may have never met face to face but you are a part of our hearts.
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Thank you, Trisha. You are a treasure. Your kind words always cheer me. Thank you for taking time to encourage me. I want to blog, and I will begin again as soon as there is enough time. Until then, thank you for waiting and for caring. Thank you for your prayers. Blessings to you…
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I am happy that i can be of any service from the opposite end of world. God bless you with peace and courage (which you already have in abundant).
lots of love.
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Carol Ann, you are truly an inspiration to me and many others. You also made me smile big at the end of that third paragraph. đŸ˜€ Blessings to you and Johannes, my friend.
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Thank you, Bonnie. I miss your posts. I like to laugh. I hope people understand and don’t think me callous for making fun out of serious situations. I appreciate your sense of humor. Blessings to you…
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My parents are both approaching 88 and are in pretty good shape and fairly independent and have lived with me last 9 years. But as decline sets in I will be the sole caretaker. I will watch your post to draw upon you strength and experience.
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I’m sure your parents will be in good hands, Carl. You are a caring and sensitive person. Thank you for taking time to comment. I am learning to do all the things required of me, and I hope to develop skills quickly. My hubby hopes so, too, since he is the one that must endure my learning experience. Blessings to you…
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I know it is such a relief for both of you that Johannes is able to be at home, even though it means a lot of additional work for you. Thanks be to God! My prayers continue for you both, and for the angel friend God has sent your way, too.
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Thank you, Jennifer. I am very grateful for the angel friend God sent my way. She is a blessing to both of us. She is a natural caregiver, and she loves Jesus. She reads the Bible to Johannes, and that means a lot to him. He looks forward to it. Thank you for your prayers. Blessings to you…
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I am so filled with joy that you and Johannes are home again together. I know it will be a struggle but God will provide you with what and who you need in each day. Blessings to you dear friend!
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Thank you, Jeanne. You are a sweet friend. I miss reading your blogs and seeing your beautiful photography. Thank you for stopping by to encourage me. I appreciate it very much. Blessings to you…
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Continued prayers for both of you and wishing you many blessings.
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Thank you, Suzi. I appreciate your prayers and well wishes. Blessings to you…
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Glad to know that all is well with you and your husband Carol đŸ™‚ Be blessed dear!!
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Thank you, Te’Kia. I appreciate your comment and your blessings. God bless you, too, my dear friend…
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Glad you’re doing well, your husband is doing well. The work sounds a lot, but once managing all your roles into one, fairly smooth routine, your work will become easier. And, it is always good to have someone to help so the burden does not become overwhelming.
Plenty of prayers and blessings.
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Thank you for your prayers and blessings, fivecats. It is a lot of work, but it’s all rewarding. I’m not good at multi-tasking, but I am getting better. Necessity is the best teacher. Yes, I believe a pattern will develop and routine will settle in and make my time more flexible. Blessings to you…
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Carol Ann, I also started a new job three months ago, and I am still adjusting and learning. It has been a huge difference. This job will hopefully help me to rely more on God, since it has been a true challenge and I certainly cannot do it without God’s intervention. God bless you and take care of yourself as well.
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Thank you for stopping by to commen, Noel. Challenges do draw us closer tp God as we call on Him for strength and wisdom. Thank you for your prayers. Blessings to you…
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So glad to hear from you, Carol Ann. How wonderful that your husband has come home. I will continue to pray for you both. You are remarkable.
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Thank you for your prayers. I aporeciate your stopping by. It’s wonderful to have him home. I am very thankful for each day. Blessings to you…
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Carol Ann, I’m so glad you are posting again. You are such an inspiration. When I go home and take care of my mother for a month I find by the end of the month I am exhausted. So please take care of yourself too. It’s the broken sleep that gets to me and I’m only helping for a few weeks at a time. But like you, my siblings and I are adamant that she be in her own home and cared for by those who love her.
God bless and keep you both.
Love and hugs,
Elizabeth
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How sweet of you to travel and put in the time to care for your mother in her home. I agree that the broken sleep takes a toll. My eyes want to close if I sit down for a moment. But I’m getting used to it. Thank you for your thoughtful words. I will do my best to tend to my own health. If it were to fail, the result would be awful. I pray that my health holds out. On the bright side, I feel just fine. I’ll grab a nap when I can. Blessings to you…
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My best wishes to you…..during these times we are empowered with strength and skills that we never knew we had.
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Thank you, Tracy. I’m focused, and I’m learning as fast as I can. God gives strength to the weary. I am doing fine. My husband is doing well, also. Blessings to you…
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We all have great resources of strength and energy. But your friends are right. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your husband is one lucky man to have you.
Thinking of you.
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Thank you, Christine. I am learning the skills I need. The hardest part is not getting enough sleep, but I’m getting used to getting up in the middle of the night and going back to sleep for another three hours. I think it will get easier when I get into a routine. One day I just knew I had to take a nap regardless of what else needed to be done. I lay down for an hour and got up refreshed. Thank you for stopping by and for your good advice. Blessings to you…
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