parkinsonscare posted: " Some of you are thinking right now, "Why would a retired mathematics teacher want to write a book?" And your question is valid! Others of you are thinking, "She is finished with caregiving. Why doesn't she just forget about Parkinson's and move on" Care for Parkinson's
Some of you are thinking right now, "Why would a retired mathematics teacher want to write a book?" And your question is valid!
Others of you are thinking, "She is finished with caregiving. Why doesn't she just forget about Parkinson's and move on?" And your question is valid!
The answer to both questions is the same, and it is simple. I remember how it felt to care for my husband, and YOU are there right now. So, I am writing to give you hope. To help you through this stressful and challenging time. I am writing this book for the same reason I write this blog – to support and encourage you who care for a loved one with Parkinson's Disease.
I follow several groups on FaceBook connected to Parkinson's Disease, and many stories I read there are heartbreaking. Here are a few:
"My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease last week. I don't know what to do next! HELP!"
Or
"I can't do this anymore. I can't watch my wife become less and less of a person with Parkinson's Disease. I'm DONE!"
Or
"What do I do about my father with Parkinson's? He has had 3 traffic accidents in the last month, but he won't give up driving? I am so tired of fighting with him over this."
Or
"My mother has Parkinson's Disease, and I can't care for her anymore. I sit here crying as I write this because we had to put her in a nursing home today."
The stories are endless. The heartbreak is endless. Caregivers need to know that they are not alone. They need to feel the support and encouragement from someone who has been there and come through on the other side.That's why I am writing. For you and for them.
The working title for my book is "Hope for the Caregiver", and it is nearly finished. My goal is to have it ready to send to the publisher in the next 2 weeks, so I am working hard to accomplish that.
Here is a quick peek at the content:
Chapter one – what to do with a diagnosis of a degenerative disease
Chapter two – now that you have it, how can you live with it?
Chapter three – moving into the advanced stage and coping with it
Chapter four – is Hospice right for us?
Chapter five – the final stage of life and the immediate aftermath
This book is for every caregiver. It is filled with hope and the assurance that we each need a support group of family, friends, and faith to survive and even thrive during this stressful time.
Yes, I hear your next questions, "When can we see the book? And what can we do to help?"
Even though I cannot answer the "when" question right now, I can think of a few things you can do to help.
In the next few weeks, I will be launching my website about the book, and I will need people to follow me there and on Instagram to help with getting out the word about the book. Watch for a blog post about that soon.
And prayer is the best thing to do as I edit and edit and edit some more! I will update you every time there is new information.
Thanks for your support and encouragement along the way. Can you think of a friend who might need this book? I am praying even now that the book will find its way to those who will find HOPE from reading it.
Have a great week and thank you for reading and commenting.
No comments:
Post a Comment