I feel like I just can't take it anymore.

Dear End, I know exactly how you feel. I have almost the same problems with unruly relatives. I am disabled too. I found I was at the end of my rope as well. At that point, I tell myself "this too shall pass." I tell myself that I will outlive them all.

Yes, I do the same!!!! My therapist (I call him the Wizard!) tells me "Remember, this is not forever", and it helps. Usually I am pretty good, but when the witches start their crap it gets really tedious. I only have one aunt on my dad's side also, but she is elderly as well, and not an emotionally available person. As a matter of fact, I am the only emotionally open one of the family. I prefer to speak honestly from the heart. I wish my sisters would come together with me kindly, and be the loving family we are supposed to be. I have repeatedly asked them to group meetings with my therapist to try to iron out our differences, but the answers have always been firm no's. They carry grudges from as far back as toddlers, and hang on to them with death grips! They do not know how to truly forgive, and give up the minutia that is petty and meaningless. I usually ignore them, and am just cordially kind for my dads sake. Before he got ill we rarely saw each other, and things were okay that way. I always felt confused, and very hurt by their exclusion, but at least we could talk and laugh. Now the atmosphere is absolutely toxic, and I sometimes feel it's making me physically ill as well. I feel so sorry for them as we lost our mother when she was only 46. She died on my 26th birthday too which made things worse. They always believed my mother whom we all adored favored me, and the sad truth is she did. Still, she loved us all equally. My middle sister was only 24 when my mom passed, and always felt she got screwed by life because "I was better at everything", and blamed everyone else rather than looking inside and searching for her own source of deep pain. My younger sister who was only 16 when mom died became instantly deeply angry which is perfectly understandable. We were close when she was a child, but the day mom died she aimed her poison at me. I have been alienated since then, and tortured by them. I tried to buy their love all those years, but they only called when they needed something. Of course I always ran to their aid. Now when I need them they are 1000 times more vicious than ever. I am EXHAUSTED. Thank you for replying, and understand. This is my very first post so I'm sorry I went on so! LOVE and LIGHT

Hi Endof...it seems to me that alot of us who come to this site have reached the end of our tether and are ready to run from the pressure and stress from either our elderly parents or our fabulous supportive family (kidding). We seem to all have a very similiar story that we are the caregiver while our siblings sit back and let us do the work, only popping into our lives to create havoc and put us down when we really don't need it. As if it isn't enough we have to care for a sick elderly parent!
Your exhaustion is just your body pumping adrenalin and cortisol around your system which is the fight or flight reaction to all things that are endangering our survival. Spend enough time in this state and you will get sick...very sick. One thing that will never happen is that anything positive will change unless you make it...Your evil sisters will not suddenly stop being evil and support you, your dad will not stop needing care and support, those are the things you can't change. What you can change is YOU, and your thought processes. And its not easy, I'm going through the same process at the moment, and some days I'm so brave and onto it, others I make for a dark corner somewhere like a scared child and wonder what the hell am I doing.
Try to change the things you can and accept those you can't, it does make life alot easier. Your art must be a huge outlet for you, just start doing it again, even if you stare at a blank canvas for a couple of days, turn the negativity into something creative even if its dark paintings of your sisters being tortured :). Gosh sell them and make some money...You have a wonderful talent...don't let that be taken away, use it. And yes this too shall pass I believe that, but can you survive it until it does? Start today by just doing something small for you. Give up and let it go about your sisters being kind, it will not happen, let it go and accept they are satans spawn to be pitied, don't waste your energy hoping they will become anything other than who they are, it helps believe me.
Find some strength, bake some yummy chocolate chip cookies and eat the lot!!! Try tapping...it sounds like the weirdest out there thing to do...look up the free videos on google, it really works by stopping the negative gloomy thoughts, and believe me, I've never tried anything like it in my life, and it blimmen well works, you got nothing to lose thats what I figured. Anyway a long ramble from me, don't run away, don't freak out, just change a few thought patterns...I'm a work in process too :)

Wow, really good advice from brandy and ruby!!! End-1111-- you are the powerful one! Reading your post it seems the wicked sisters want to be like you, and instead of realizing that, you are turning their jealousy on yourself!!!
I know-- I do it, too:) let's promise each other--Sisters of our Hearts-- that we
treat ourselves the way we treat each other here, on Aging Care! With Love,
Encouragement, Unconditional Support, and Humor! Why not?
We have a secret society of sorts that outsiders do not share. I am so Thankful
for this haven for Caregivers. Truly, we are Blessed in many ways. Even though
we are tired, we were set apart to do this job of caregiving. We are special,
strong, and compassionate. The world is full of selfish and greedy people who
are beneath our dignity. Let's try to think in higher terms of self respect.
Please bring out your paints and create something. With the deeper dimensions of a caregiver's perspective, your work will take on a different light. Let us know..
to All you Beautiful Caregivers: hugs, Christina xo

Oh, believe me I am mostly positive. I have found many ways of relieving stress. It is only occasionally now that I lose my center. I lose it because I'm tired! I know my sisters are just wounded little spirits just like all of us, but when forced to be in a large presence of negativity (holidays, special events) it is so draining. To be in such a hostile room is tedious and exhausting. I've been doing it for so long, and have no real personal life. Yes I see friends, but I feel I need much more than that. I need to be in the presence of others who are in "my boat". I wish my sisters no harm, nor do I feel getting into it with them is at all productive either for them or me. My one sister is getting divorced after being married for 15 yrs to a wonderful man. My dad ADORES this guy like a son. She decided now, when dad is so sick, to announce it and put the blame on her husband. She has cheated on him for years, but dad does not know it. I just went BS and impulsively spewed my feelings to my other sister (something I never do). Seeing tears in my fathers eyes just made me sick, but no one can protect him from everything and I know that. Sometimes (rarely) I lose it, and I did yesterday. Today I wish I hadn't. It was stooping beneath my higher self for sure, but it happened and I forgive myself for it. Sometimes anger needs to be expressed if we feel it strongly, which I have learned not to do. It was a regression. Feelings run deep when watching someone die a little each day. You feel like a bit of you is dying too. I try to do healing things, but the situation is always there waiting. I just want it to end. I will miss him so much, but he is suffering and 82 yrs old. I fear getting sick after this. I cannot . . . .cannot paint. My body refuses, and my inspiration is nowhere to be found. I have invented a new product though, and am dealing with marketing people and legal issues pertaining to it. It is rewarding, but still I am stuck here in this hell of a house of which I hate. Today is just a bad day. To top things off I am bipolar, suffer from traumatic stress disorder and have ADHD...FOR REAL!!! A lot of people are diagnosed these days with these things but it is mostly bs. For me it's real! I have had 11 giant surgeries due to a congenital disability and am also in constant physical pain. My father is stubborn and yelling all the time. I know he doesn't mean it, but all these factors are catching up. I'm just so abnormally tired.

Totally understand. You are using your creative abilities regarding the new invention, so your talent is diverted to another area. Fantastic. It is all simply overwhelming and thats all you can say. Vent and breathe. Do the best you can.
You are doing a fantastic job, your Dad loves you, and people who are guilty and
small minded do act differently than we do, because they are different. I try to
look at this time of caregiving and exhaustion as if I am looking down "from above" at a board game.... It must be someone's turn next, right?!
game.

I like that..."a board game". Yes! I fell off my spiritual understandings yesterday, and got caught up in the human BS. Is your sleep normal? Mine is not. It is an agitated sleep, and I wake in the night often. Sleep deprivation makes it worse too. It just feels like I never really am able to relax anytime, or anywhere, This responsibility looms like a dark cloud always. I miss me!

Sleep is interrupted some nights. I rarely sleep more than 5 hours at a time. Relaxing and reading anything more than a few paragraphs is difficult, too. I moved my Mother into a care home the end of August. I am not in the aftermath, I am not a physical caregiver, but emotional and administrative. Some who are have said it takes time to find your own life again. Mine is here, somewhere... I just saw it a minute ago...

I have been here, in his home for three straight years tending to everything. He is still functional in many ways. The nature of his illness changes daily though, so I never know what I'll be dealing with on any given day. I am a very very sensitive person, and a lot gets in. It's just the way I am. It's a blessing in some ways, but a curse in others. I'm also a really nervous person often, and can become overwhelmed if I feel overloaded. I have been having this antsy feeling..hard to explain. It's in my mind and body. I can't get comfortable no matter what I do. I have also aged tenfold since it started. I look so much older than I should. When I look at my face all I see is lines of pain, and worry. Tomorrow I'll probably feel differently, but today is a bad one. I get up at 5:00am three days a week to take him to dialysis. Tomorrow is one of those days so I hope I can sleep. I shattered my ankle 26 yrs ago, and am in end stage arthritis. I'm holding out till the technology for replacements is better. The pain is unbelievable, and I have to take pain medication for it or I can't walk at all. That makes me feel crappy too. Thank you so much to take the time and compassion to listen and reply to my diatribe!!! One day at a time, right?

Hi, endofmyrope1111. Your sharing reminds me that caregiving will break even the strongest among us. Your depression is understandable as you are dealing with so much including your Dad's declining health and your life being practically at a standstill because of the circumstances in which you find yourself. I have never had to deal with sour relatives, but can identify with your feelings of depression and wanting to drive and never stop. Difficult though it may be, there comes a time that you will need to come to terms with the fact that your Dad is not getting any better, and neither are you. His best care is probably in a nursing home of your (and his) choosing somewhere, sooner rather than later, to allow you to emotionally and physically heal. You have endured a marathon. You have also done your best. It's time to free yourself from the vicious cycle of your idle sisters and marathon eldercare to do what's best for both you and your Dad. Sounds like you are at the threshold of the next step in your Dad's eldercare and the first day of the rest of your life. You are not getting younger and neither is your Dad. Make it easier on both of you. There is no shame in recognizing when we have done as much as we can do humanly. Blessings, healing and peace to you. I so understand your weary spirit.

Thank you all for your kind words of support. It means a lot!

Never! He has always been there for me... always. His mind is perfectly lucid, and even if it weren't I would never do it. I don't believe in it personally. He is an amazing man, and probably the finest I have ever known. I'll admit I've envied those who've been freed of the hell of this seemingly neverending nightmare, but it is not an option. My combination of complicated circumstances has truly clipped my wings. Karma's a bitch though, and my sisters are starting to recieve theirs in spades. We all must live in the bed we make!

Thank you too for the suggestion! The mere thought of the reprieve helped :") He was in the hospital last month for 8 days, and I must admit it was a huge rest. Sad, but a real rest!

I understand. I felt the same way until the health decline symptoms were too much for a non-medical person to handle. Even then, I was resistant to the inevitable. Yes, hospital stays are a mixed bag. We feel scared, all alone, and have a few moments to breathe. Hang in there. God bless you!

End-1111: leave the window open, dear one. Never say never:) It is commendable to be so devoted, and we all are, but life takes unexpected turns.

Thanks guys! His needs are not always that bad. I just need to be here because unexpected things happen all the time. His problems are not obvious as many others are. His Dr. described his condition as "A house of cards" meaning the least little thing could end it instantly. A fall, a cold or virus, a drop in blood pressure, bleeding, a coronary attack, mini strokes which he's had, an arterial blockage, congestive heart failure or just pure lack of being able to tolerate the dialysis one day. That's part of what makes it so difficult. He needs help walking at times, all household chores done, all cooking, dressing sores and controling bleeding, catching him if he falls and getting him up if he falls out of bed. The last one is particularily hard because one of his legs is fused and extremely painful. It took me an hour one day just to figure out a way to get him up. One time he fell out of bed and broke his ribs. Once he fell trying to get the paper and fractured his pelvis. He is totally stubborn which only exacerbates everything. He screams at me all the time, but I know it is only his frustration of not having control over anything anymore. It's hard for me to clean due to my bad ankle, hips and back. I was born with extremely bad hip dysplasia, and was in a terrible split brace from 3 1/2 till 5 1/2 followed by two more years in a wheelchair. At the age of 28 I had 4 11hr (bilateral osteomoties) surgeries on both hips. In 2001 I had them replaced, but the weakness from undeveloped soft tissue is forever. All this combined with psychological issues certainly does not make me a perfect choice of the primary!!!! LOL! Still, I muddle along. I also had two bowel obstructions this past year, one resulting in surgery followed by a 17 day stay in the hospital. The sisters had no choice to step up, but they did not so much as pick up a crumb! I came home violently sick to a filthy house, piled with laundry and tons of fast food containers!!! They never even cooked for him! These are two able bodied women who do not work or have children at home!!!!!! The first night I was home dad started to pass out, and I heard him in the kitchen. Luckily I was close by and caught him. The problem was that I was so weak, and not allowed to lift more than 3lbs for a month!!!!! I ended up having another one three months ago, and was in for 8 days, but luckily it worked itself out. It happened because I had no help the time before, and reinjured myself. They never helped once, and in fact were pissed that dad had to even worry about me!!!! The gaul of them is beyond belief! I have just finally hit a point where my mind and body are so tired. Last summer I got so overloaded that I ended up in a psychiatric hospital for a week just to rest!!!! Again, they were pissed, blaming me for "upsetting dad"!!! I feel alone, lonely, isolated and tired. I have no current relationship nor will I. It is not a good time to get involved with someone when I can't give my full attention to it. It just sucks, and I feel like bitching today!!! I almost never do this as I don't think it is really helpful or productive, but today I feel like total crap!!!

End, um, maybe you were adopted? Well, if you don't feel better after today, we're all going to fly by and sprinkle you with fairy dust. Right now, all I can do is send you a great big {{{{{{{{{{{Cyber HUG}}}}}}}}}} Squeeze!!!!
Now I have to fix dInner! Check in mañana! Love, Christina xo

Haaaaaaaa . . . Thanks for the luv! I'm usually the one sprinkling the fairy dust!!!! Today is the very first time in three years that I decided to join a forum like this. I guess it was just time to do so, and I'm soooo happy I did. I felt much better after bitching the truth to people who are swimming in my pool! I don't talk too much about this to friends because it gets so heavy. Only a tiny bit of chat with the "unburdoned" folk makes a huge impression! I also like to try my best to stay positive. I hope I will be able to pass on my good energy to the rest of you! You all made my day! Good Night angels . . .

Hello I can understand all these comments And how you all feel I feel the same way I'm a live in caregiver to my sister motherlaw And her physical health is good Mental declining She smart me off sometime I know it the dementia But it very stressful I wish i could get out Find a job And have outlet But it turn into 24 7 I feel like it just me and her daughter that cares And does everything for her But the situations here has changed her daughter has gotten a job So everything is on me Fell like i;m been taking advantage of And I have no place to live or the financial stable I feel like i'm losing all my social and work skills I ready to get my life back I hope that not selfish It seem like nothing changes Life of a caregiver Especially dementia is hard But i do best I can i could use some prayers Carolyn