Shayna’s husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in conversation with his doctor over the phone. She saw the effects on him immediately
Transcript
My husband started to have difficulty dragging a foot. He started to show symptoms in terms of writing; did not know what it was. So we went the path of going to the doctor, who sent us for further tests; sent us to a neurologist. One of my horror memories is that the neurologist diagnosed my husband over the phone. My husband called him and asked him—now my husband did pressure him—and [the neurologist] said, “Well, you come in and we’ll talk about it.” But, in the end, he did tell him the diagnosis of MS over the phone. And because his personality was suggestive, I saw the deterioration within 5 minutes. He had been on the phone, he had walked and all of a sudden, he couldn’t master things that he had done just a few minutes ago. So obviously it’s a pet peeve of mine that that should never be done to anybody.
More content
- What is it like to be a caregiver? – Shayna Caring for someone with a chronic illness meant that Shayna was making different decisions from other families.
- Uncovering how and why caregivers care – ShaynaShayna started by trying to do everything, but realized later that it is hard to change.
- Society and caregiving – ShaynaWhen you are living with someone with a chronic illness, you cannot always do things in a ’normal’ way. Shayna learned that people can respond very strongly to this.
- Social impact and lifestyle changes – Shayna (2)It can be challenging for children to grow up in a situation where one parent is sick and needs continuous care. Shayna tried to find the right balance with her family.
- Social impact and lifestyle changes – 2 – ShaynaFor her son’s wedding, Shayna wrote a letter in her husband’s name to ask people to enjoy the day so his absence would not be a source of distraction.
- Resources – ShaynaThanks to the adjustments made through a government program, Shayna and her husband maintain a higher level of independence.
- Interaction with professionals – ShaynaShayna describes two negative encounters with health care professionals that had an impact on her husband’s ability to deal with his illness.
- Impact on professional life and career – ShaynaAt times, Shayna’s caregiving responsibilities affected her performance at work.
- Health system issues – ShaynaPrograms that help the care recipient remain functional in society are indispensible. Shayna finds it important to see the bigger picture.
- Effects of care recipients’ behaviour – ShaynaShayna says: "It makes a tremendous difference for the caregiver if the care recipient recognizes the caregiver’s efforts and well-being."