Sally & Jude -
I have sat here and pondered what both of you so graciously wrote regarding being the caregiver and then the other side - having TM and "losing" friends and loved ones. And boy this is a hard one.
I think first of all, Sally, it sounds to me like you've got a pretty good handle on being a great caregiver and you are to be praised for that. I think there are probably quite a few TMers who are fortunate to have someone like you. However, on the flip side (and I am a TMer) there are those who are not as fortunate. Many of the points you mentioned are definitely food for thought - and I had not thought of some of them before. So like Jude said, you gave us some new perspectives - thank you.
And Jude - I do understand where you are coming from. Do you have someone who lives with you now - or are you able to do for yourself pretty well? Support is so very important when a person has TM (or any other illness). I have heard this over and over again, most of us don't say much of anything about our illness, in fact we try to "hide" how we feel - I'll stand right up here - GUILTY! We don't want to burden anyone with our illness - they have busy lives - most of the time in a much different way than we do.
I actually have more to say, but am going to leave it at that.
Bless all caregivers and TMers
Linda in Bothell, WA
