You are already a Loving Caregiver

You, sitting in a hospital’s waiting room, anxious for news, tense, because surgery always involves risks; you, with millions of thoughts racing through your mind; you, glancing at the watch every other second; you, who are eager for news, anguishly staring at the door from where the head surgeon will appear to announce the success, or not, of the surgery. You! You are already a Caregiver.
Let’s see why:

1- You have been to several medical centers.
2- You have been given diagnoses, of the most varied kinds; some reassuring, others not so much. Or worse still, controversial.
3- You have browsed the Internet to learn as much as possible about the disease: its causes, its short-and-long-term consequences; possible treatments. Or any alternative that might guarantee survival; but always looking forward to some spiritual or scientific miracle.
4- You have copied the exams to a CD and have sent them to the best specialized centers around the world hoping to get an encouraging diagnostic.
5- You have befriended several people with the same disease, because all of you see the same doctors. If you haven’t yet, get out there and start doing it. It is great to hear their experiences – regardless of their success – not only to learn about alternative treatments, but also to build a solidarity and communication network, which can be invaluable.
6- You have made sure that all family members felt included, that each one was given a task, no matter how trivial.
7- You have asked for moral and spiritual support (prayer groups and positive thinking networks) for you and the Loved One, your family, friends, and coleagues.

We think that anyone going through these phases is already a Loving Caregiver, because these trials called for wisdom to accept reality, accumulate experience, and strength to overcome the emotional and physical limitations that, up to that moment, were downright unthinkable. And you too have become a Loving Caregiver, because you have opened yourself to another person’s pain, becoming a sentient person ready to take in another human being that needs to be loved, touched, and “felt”.