I am faced each day with caring for people I love very much that cannot or do not take the same kind of philosophy in health as I.  My husband’s parents are in their 70s.  They both have disease or infirmity brought on by lifestyle choices (mostly through ignorance not spite).  I hate to say it but it is too late for them to change their habits and, take my word for it, they would if they could.

Back when they had choices even 5 years ago, habits were so engrained that, short of a miracle, they were set on their path of continued decline in health.

The daily grind for them spent mostly in a small room in the house next door to us.  It is a cycle of pain controlled by strong pain killers, anxiety controlled by anti anxiety meds, as well as a miscellany of other drugs for regulating body functions.  Bowel incontinence, urinary troubles, swallowing difficulties, unsteady as they walk,…

As their part time caregiver, it tears up my heart – daily.  I am conforted by the fact they are both Christians and believers in the saving blood of Christ so they will know eternal comfort.  But for now I see this ongoing, drawn out “dying”, if you will.  For there is no life in this part of their lives. 

I wrote to a sister/cousin who cares for her elderly family members, too, and for longer than I have.  I asked her if she could offer encouragement and suggestions.  Her reply was she could not offer “hope”, per se.  That is was hard for her, too.  But to not be weary in doing well.  Trusting in His grace and power to get through it day by day.

You know, though I hoped there was some special word or plan of action to help us through this, I seemed to release the struggle with trying to solve their health issues.  When I found that you just have to get through it, that was enough for me.  I could stop fretting and seaching and hoping in the hopeless (finding a miracle cure for their diseases). I can go on with the daily grind.  I can go over there with a smile.  I can give them the care they need.  My heart can rest.

My sister was right. Do not be weary in doing well.  Trust in the Lord for courage and cheer.  Let the light of God shine forth and through me giving me strength.  I can do all things Through Christ which strengthens me.

Well, the visit to the doctor was quite an adventure.  All went well though.  I must say that the fellow (Doctor) has a pleasant bedside manner and taking my mother-in-law to see him will be pleasant, too.

Very briefly, Mom and Dad, live next door to us.  They are both needing assistance for basic functions.  Dad takes care of her needs most of the time yet he is nearly crippled with his own bad knees and hip.

Mark or I take them to the doctor or pick up medicine of groceries.  I crush her meds into apple sauce.  We all get the opportunity to look for ways to make their life more comfortable.  The children get an opportunity to serve (I will discuss this in the future much more).  Yes, it is not easy but who said life would be easy?!

I provide special food for her as she cannot manage food that is more coarse than applesauce.  That gives me the opportunity to be somewhat creative.  Ever thought of making a beef stew in a food processor?  It’s her favorite!  I make it up in a casserole dish for a week’s worth of lunches.  I make mashed potatoes and layer them in the dish and then spoon the gravy-like consistency “stew” over it.  Dad or I will then cut a chunk everyday and heat it up on the stove.

I got ideas for no-chew foods from the The I-Can’t-Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for People with Chewing, Swallowing, and Dry Mouth Disorders, if you’re interested.  All the recipes in it are standard favorites with the one main requirement that they are smooth in consistency.  This is useful for not only when one cannot swallow but for those times when teeth hurt or after a throat surgery.  Frankly, I was fresh out of ideas to make good tasting meals that were soft.  Borrow it from the library or read about it at Amazon.

Speaking of making a casserole, I must be off to make her weekly dish!