Solutions For Caring For Yourself When A Loved One Is Terminally Ill or Severely Injured

Yesterday I heard an amazing podcast.  It was incredibly powerful for two reasons:

 

1) If we are not currently members of "The Sandwich Generation" (i.e. Taking Care of Sick, Elderly Parent while caring for our young families) then we are probably headed for it anyway, or know someone who is going through this ongoing dilemma right now, so the subject this podcast really can apply to almost anyone. It's great to listen to either for yourself, or get a better idea of how to really help a friend, or to pass on to someone you know who is feeling "Sandwiched."

2) The podcast was done by an incredible author/speaker/coach - Jennifer Louden -- who has broken free of the "shackles" of XM radio and is broadcasting raw and off-the-cuff without any limits. (POWER TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH PODCASTING!)  I loved every "um..." and "wait I have to let the pets out" moment because you knew that they were authentically Jennifer!

FYI, Jennifer Louden is the author of one of the BEST books on the subject of self-care for busy, creative women (and she's a mom too!)  Check out her book here -- it's is a great book to give yourself!!! I re-read it often!

And her new, upcoming book/organizer  is on my birthday wishlist.  If I get it, I'll certainly review it for you all. But I can recommend it because have bought the previous e-versions of her "Inner Organizer" (Now called the Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to A Mindful Year) and I have LOVED it.  Here's the listing in case you're curious.

Anyway, back to the topic of this post. As you can get from the title of this post, the podcast that moved me was about how to take care of yourself when a loved one is hospitalized for a long time and/or dying.  Here she shares her own experiences and shares letters & advice from her readers & listeners about what really worked for them. The result is an amazing podcast with truly down-to-earth realistic advice delievered in her beautiful, compassionate, totally honest and  ever soul-searching voice.

If you are in this situation, or know a friend who is going through it, please listen to it and/or pass it on. You'll be a better person for it.   

 You can subscribe to the podcast at her blog here (look in the upper left hand corner for the podcast or at itunes under "LoudenMouth")

Also Check out her amazing website at www.Comfortqueen.com There is a TON of great resources for women there.  The sites tagline say "A Place to Be Kind to Yourself" -- That says it all!

Comments

[Barbie]

Thanks for sharing this Sarah. As you know I've been the overseer, caretaker for my elderly mom who is now in a nursing home for several years. It was certainly difficult to divide my focus as a young woman with a growing family and a marriage that I felt should come first. But being the dutiful daughter I did everything I could (and still do!) and realize that I gave to everyone except myself -- and as a result, my health has suffered. I'm really looking forward to listening to this podcast if only for the permission I already sense it will offer (knowing Jennifer Louden!) to put myself back in the mix, or perhaps, even on top for a change!

Thanks for sharing these great resources as you come across them. I really appreciate it!