I agree with the points you made Cori. Caring too much can lead to compassion fatigue, which differs from burnout. Burnout develops slowly over time. Compassion fatigue huts without warning, as when I suddenly said, "I can't do this anymore." That was the day I realized my sweet husband John didn't have the strength to use a standing frame to transfer from bed to wheelchair. Since I didn't have the strength to lift him, I couldn't be his primary caregiver anymore. He died about a month later.
It's so hard to recognize that our desire to support the people we love exceeds our capacity to do so. No one could question your love for and devotion to John. Getting help for both of you doesn't change that.
But I felt guilty then and feel guilty now. At a time when I wanted to see John more, I was quarantined for a month. I got to see him two days before he died.
Agree
I agree with the points you made Cori. Caring too much can lead to compassion fatigue, which differs from burnout. Burnout develops slowly over time. Compassion fatigue huts without warning, as when I suddenly said, "I can't do this anymore." That was the day I realized my sweet husband John didn't have the strength to use a standing frame to transfer from bed to wheelchair. Since I didn't have the strength to lift him, I couldn't be his primary caregiver anymore. He died about a month later.
It's so hard to recognize that our desire to support the people we love exceeds our capacity to do so. No one could question your love for and devotion to John. Getting help for both of you doesn't change that.
But I felt guilty then and feel guilty now. At a time when I wanted to see John more, I was quarantined for a month. I got to see him two days before he died.