Rowdyneko confronted her healthcare professional with her assumption that she has to adapt and continue caring, even when it is too much.

Transcript

I mean, in my view that’s a big stress off. And again, the social worker would sit me down and say, “Well this is what you,” to me, “this is what you have to do; you have to move over here, you have to find a place to live, you have to figure out how to pay for it, you have to look after him 24 hours a day. You can’t bring your dogs. You’ve got to figure out somehow to look after your property while you’re gone.” Yeah right. So who’s going to help me with this? And the bottom line is, if you don’t have someone who will do all that stuff, you don’t get a transplant. So, that pissed me off. The social worker did not like me because, I mean, I challenged her on that. I said, “You want all this done, and how am I supposed to do it? Who is going to care for the caregiver?” I said, “What happens if I crash and burn in the middle of this?” Oh no, no. You can’t do that. Yeah. Just like this whole caregiving scenario. I mean, you can’t crash and burn; there’s no way to pick up the pieces. There is no support for caregivers.

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More content

• Resources – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko told other patients about a free door-to-door transportation service to use instead of private ambulances.
• Providing support – Rowdyneko
  At times, Rowdyneko was asked to do medical tasks that she did not feel comfortable doing.
• Advice for friends and family – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko notices that people don’t call her or come over any more. She suggests that family and friends stay in contact.
• Financial impact 2 – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko is thankful that her husband’s medications are covered by the palliative pharmacare program.
• Financial impact – Rowdyneko
  Without extended medical coverage, Rowdyneko would have been under much more financial pressure.
• Uncovering how and why caregivers care – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko would love it if caregiving were fun, or brought her closer to her husband. Unfortunately, this is not the case for her.
• Travelling, holidays and respite – Rowdyneko
  When Rowdyneko leaves for a cruise, her family tries not to disturb her.
• Support from family and friends – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko doesn't do the caregiving willingly, but her son surprises her every day with his unselfish support.
• Society and caregiving – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko has noticed that younger caregivers often have to stop working. There are not enough resources or support for them.
• Interaction with professionals – Rowdyneko
  Being expected to do things that you are unable to do is frustrating for Rowdyneko.