This week I want to focus on the flip side of cancer – those who care for us. We, the patients, tend to get all the attention, right? We’re the ones fighting; we’re the ones that get gifts and goodies and messages and love; we’re the “inspirational” ones. We’re soooooo amazing! 🤪 Which is all true and good…but man, our caregivers can get the shaft, can’t they?
The definition of survivor is “a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died.” The definition of caregiver is “a person who provides regular direct care for a child or sick, elderly, or disabled person.” What, then, is a CAREVIVOR?
Here’s what I say: It’s someone who has *survived* being thrust into a nightmare and having to continue taking care of themselves AND their loved one through it all. They’ve *survived* being devastated at the diagnosis, terrified of losing someone, facing their own fears, becoming health aides, medication managers, legal assistants, cheerleaders, housekeepers, single parents, sole financial supervisors, cooks, drivers, part-doctors, researchers, supporters, therapists, and just plain CRUCIAL to the physical and emotional well-being of the person with cancer…all while trying to manage their own job, life, and own needs. Sounds easy, huh?
Yeah, right. I’m amazed EVERY DAY by the carevivors in my life, and YOU DESERVE RECOGNITION! I truly know that I would not still be here had it not been for the system I had in place, supporting me through every moment. I love you guys more than I can ever express.
You helped us shave heads. You comforted us when we were afraid. You wiped away our rolling tears. You picked up our children when we were too weak to do so. You made us food. You loved us. You cared for us. You saved us. You’re:
#phenomenal
#selfless
#empathetic
#hero
#extraordinary
#resilient
#generous
#fearless
#strong
#LIFESAVERS
Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you, and we know just how much you have done for us. ❤️ THANK YOU!
Now your turn – were you a Carevivor? What was the hardest part for you? Or for survivors – who was your number one? <3
