Caregiver for spinal cord injury patient (paraplegic)
This is long, I just need to vent.
My husband (70) just became paraplegic. He has had three surgeries (in the last 5 weeks) and is very weak. Paralysis from the waist down. Colostomy and Supra pubic catheter. Left shoulder bad.
He is currently in acute rehab. It’s a very intense program to prepare him to come home. He insists on coming home in less than a week. I am not prepared to take on this caregiving role so soon.
The case management team, says he can decide where he goes next even though I’ve told them I cannot care for him yet. He has many needs I am unable to handle (I have serious back issues and I’m anxiety ridden with all these changes). They insist because he is of sound mind, he decides if he comes home and when.
I am beside myself with grief of a loss of our life together (I’m 64) and I have to work. I’m self employed and my income supports my own financial obligations. Nobody hears me when I say I am not ready to be a full time caregiver.
I have POA and advanced health care decisions but apparently that doesn’t matter because my husband can decide his own fate. I’m overwhelmed and I just needed to vent. I feel so alone and nobody in the medical community gives a crap about what I want or need.
I believe in my heart and soul that he needs more rehab. He cannot do anything by himself. He can’t transfer, it’s takes two people.he can barely comb his hair. I’m so sad.