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missmoxie's avatar

4 months ago

Today I'm feeling...

Completely exhausted. My son is paraplegic, he has neurogenic bowel, and bladder. He has a cecum port that I flush And massage his bell each day so he can have a bowel movement laying down on the bed pan. He has a super pubic catheter for his urine. He has a G button he is fed through and enterally. he has a carotid chest port where he gets antibiotics three times a day. He is gram-negative resistant and has a chronic infection that they cannot operate on, so the anabiotic is keeping him alive. In addition to all of this, he is autistic. With intellectual disabilities he is a handful the joy of my life my youngest son I have three older children two daughters ages, 30 and 29 and a son that is 23. I also have a granddaughter who just started middle school. My father passed in 2019 and I inherited my mother who has lived with since that time she is 75 she is not in poor health, but she’s not in good health. She requires a lot of attention mostly emotionally and I do pretty much everything in the home. My son is 102 pounds 5’8 I am exhausted from lifting him in and out of the van to take him out as he cannot do anything other than wrap his arms around my neck to assist himself. I am a former army field, medic, paraprofessional, psychologist, and MedSurg I have been in the caregiving profession since leaving high school.

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celine's avatar
celine
Carewell

Apr 11, 2025, 2:58 PM

@missmoxie It sounds like you are carrying a tremendous amount right now. The level of care you provide for your son, managing complex medical needs alongside his intellectual disabilities, while also supporting your mother, requires immense strength and love. Thank you for your service as an army field medic; your dedication to caring for others is truly remarkable and has clearly continued throughout your life. It's completely understandable to feel completely exhausted when you are juggling so much. Please know that we are here to listen and acknowledge the weight you are carrying.

cptkirk's avatar

Apr 11, 2025, 6:16 AM

I feel for you but it's nice your son has someone dedicated as you are to care for him. Hugs.