Article originally from the Ottawa citizen, Dec 21, written by Dr Aly and Faiza Abdulla
Caring takes its toll
Well, I finally did, I shaved my head after growing at 10 in. ponytail and donated my hair to making wigs for cancer patients. As with all the stairs and questions, I was reminded of a story.
Edgar was driving to the doctors office when his wife called and told them she had cancer again. His wife of 38 years and the mother of his 2 grown children and grandmother had interoperable brain cancer that had metastasized from the breast cancer they had fought 10 years earlier.
Fighting breast cancer is logical, rational, calculated. You cut and cut until you get everything back to normal. Then you fry the tissue and take pills for five years. They check you regularly. After five years, you thank God and move on. Life returns to normal. You start concentrating on your retirement plans. Try to negotiate an early retirement. Sell extra assets.
Then they find something.
It was not migraines. She wasn't under too much stress. She had brain cancer and now she is going to die.
Of course, he would help her through this. Go to every appointment like before. Over the next five months, he took all his vacation, sick leave and compassionate leave to help her get to this stage peacefully.
It wasn't over. Baker's wife needed regular care for bathing, eating, changing, doctor's appointments and various tests. It was more than a full-time job; it was a full-time responsibility.
In the process, his blood pressure rose, his sleep dwindled to a few hours and eventually he got so weak and depressed that we had to apply for disability. His employer declined the request.
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