Take What You Need!
The past six months have been pretty stressful, our non-diabetic Frank was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor next to his spleen and anemia. He's also got high liver and kidney enzymes and with the news of the ultrasound we believed that we had weeks left with him. The news sent me into a tailspin... Frank is my special boy, has been by my side since July 2010 and I'm just not ready to lose him.
So of course I shook off the grief and did whatever I could to ensure that he was happy, pain free and comfortable. This included stopping the Galliprant due to the side effect of blood disorders and we switched pain meds to gabapentin. The Galliprant was the culprit of the anemia and over the past six months I've had to switch him from dry food and lean protein to wet food that is higher in fat. This made me extremely nervous since I feed low-fat (Lucy's acute pancreatitis has me trained to feed low-fat!) but he's done well. Frank is currently eating three to five meals per day because the tumor has grown and full meals make him ill.
He's had several bouts of pain and we know we have limited time with him, but thankfully we've had a good couple of weeks. These bouts send me into great panic and sadness and all I do is concentrate on him and what I can do, what I've missed, and a future without him.
My sleep is interrupted due to Frank getting up multiple times per night on top of everything else going on.
I'm not complaining because I wouldn't do anything differently but I'm tired, I'm burnt out, I have a tough time concentrating and I haven't been taking what I need for me.
Taking what you need - is this selfish?
No, it's not at all, you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself.
Being the caregiver of a child or loved one, two-legged or four can be incredibly stressful and often times we don't take care of ourselves. Maybe we just give 100% to caregiving or maybe we feel guilty for taking that time out for ourselves. And being the caregivers that we are it is common for us to just stuff down those emotions and not share how we feel with others.
Self-care is vital for everyone, especially when you are the caregiver of a diabetic dog or cat, or your pet has other health issues. It's essential to look after yourself to recharge and effectively care for your loved ones.
Here's how you can prioritize self-care:
- Take care of your physical health by eating well, staying active, and getting enough rest.
- Focus on your mental well-being by engaging in activities you enjoy and seeking support.
- Remember, self-care is not selfish – it's necessary to continue caring for others effectively.
Additionally:
- Don't hesitate to ask for help and delegate tasks to prevent becoming overwhelmed.
- Find moments to relax and unwind during the day.
- Take what you need! Whether it is ordering a meal, watching a movie, binging a silly series, having a spa day or reading a book, take that time for yourself.
Remember:
- Be kind to yourself and recognize your efforts as a caregiver.
- Take breaks and seek assistance or emotional support when needed.
- Surround yourself with positivity and cherish the small moments.
- By nurturing yourself, you enhance your well-being and caregiving capabilities.
Your health and happiness are important, so take what you need and keep up the great work! After all, we are all doing the best we can!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please start a conversation below.
For a printable version of this blog click here.
Until next week stay comfy, don’t stress and you got this!
Michelle Miller-Matlock
AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator
Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University
Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook
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