We’ll be back with a new edition of Dear Carallel on January 11th. In the meantime, we looked in the rearview mirror at 2023 and thought we’d share some of the favorites from the year gone by. Without further adieu….here are six. Enjoy! ✨ We hope you’re finding some peace and joy–whatever that looks like … Best of Dear Carallel from 2023
DEAR CARALLEL: My sister and I are all each other has. Our mother passed away when she was only 59 and since then it’s been the two of us (and our pets of course). That’s how it’s been for 26 years and counting and we’ve managed pretty well, if I do say so myself. Although my … My sister needs a new doctor. Where do I start?
DEAR CARALLEL: I’ve been helping my parents since the pandemic and as time has gone on, it has snowballed. Dad is 82 and he’s a shell of his former self while Mom is 77 and although she’s doing better than Dad, she is still dependent on me for everything. I thought it would get better when … I was surprised to be asked and surprised that I couldn’t answer. I have no idea how I’m doing!
DEAR CARALLEL: My husband has had a host of medical issues in recent years that have made me his caregiver. Physically he’s doing okay but his attitude is very different than it used to be. He’s still sweet most of the time but I never know when he’s going to turn on me. His moods are … I don’t know the first thing about making an emergency plan. Can you help?
DEAR CARALLEL: My wife was diagnosed with vascular dementia back in 2020, shortly after she retired from her job as a primary school teacher. She taught for 42 years and next to her family, there was nothing in the world that she loved more. Life has been different since the diagnosis but it hasn’t been half-bad. … I know what she’s saying isn’t true but when I say so, we argue.
DEAR CARALLEL: My mom died suddenly two years ago and my dad will be moving in with us in a couple of weeks. He was doing ok in the immediate aftermath of mom’s death, I think because he was in shock and running on adrenaline. He was still keeping to their routines and managing the house and staying … Dad’s moving in. My stress level is through the roof!
DEAR CARALLEL: My wife Bonnie and I are in overall good health but she’s become unsteady on her feet recently. It’s a first for her and it’s been a little scary. I first noticed it when she was holding onto the rails more to get up the stairs and sometimes she has to try more than … I’m afraid my wife will fall in the shower.
DEAR CARALLEL: I don’t know another way to say it other than that that my brother isn’t a good person. Hard to believe I’m saying that about my sibling, but it’s the truth. He’s never been violent or otherwise abusive, that’s not where I’m coming from. It’s just that he’s spent his entire adult life, … My brother isn’t a good person and now I need to care for him
DEAR CARALLEL: My husband is 73 years old and living with dementia. Our life has been a roller coaster for the past five years. At the beginning of it all, we were noticing changes in him but didn’t know what was happening. When we finally got an answer, vascular dementia, it became more real and frightening … My husband has dementia. What’s life like for him?
DEAR CARALLEL: My wife Yvette had a scary fall a few weeks ago. She broke her left leg, left wrist, and suffered a mild concussion. It’s an understatement to say I’m thankful the outcome wasn’t worse because it easily could have been. Yet as she moves closer to leaving the rehab center the reality of what … I became my wife’s caregiver in the blink of an eye. Now what?