A Most Satisfying Feeling of Exhaustion

It's Monday morning and I have to admit that I am physically and mentally exhausted. But for once, it is a good feeling!

For the past six months my husband had either been hospitalized or in rehab. Yesterday, he came home.  I am overjoyed to have him back yet if I am perfectly honest I must admit I am somewhat apprehensive. Since July he has required dialysis three times a week and is much more wheelchair dependent than he was previously.  Six months is a long time to live apart. It is going to take some adjustment to get used to a new routine.

The ironic thing is that on Saturday I presented a seminar on caregiver stress. LOL.  The photo above is from the conference I attended/ presented at.

Last week was a whirlwind as I tried to get all the details at home taken care of : doors removed (to fit a wheelchair), the bathroom door rehung, grab bars, a new shower head, a wheelchair ramp installed and switching our bedroom/living room and dining rooms all around to make things a bit more wheelchair friendly. The "to do" list was long. Yet, with the help of some great friends and family, it was all taken care of in time for his homecoming.

In the chaos of getting the house in order, I prepped for my seminar. It's almost comical, if you think about it. Here I was, preparing to talk to others about alleviating caregiver stress and I felt so out of control at times. I need to practice what I preach.  I truly do, especially the part about not taking on too much and being a martyr. Those who lent a hand last week were a God -send. I could not have done it without them. I am still amazed and ever so grateful.

So, once again my family is adjusting to a "new normal." This time, the normal is having Larry home. And frankly, all the other stuff was worth it in order to have him back. I am going to like this new normal, despite the tiredness. It's awesome.