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My wife had a massive stroke on March 20, and spent the next 28 days in the hospital (7 days in NICU, nearly 3 weeks in Neurological Rehabilitation. She is doing ok, but still has a left leg and arm with little to no feeling, no left peripheral vision and some other brain issues. She is walking, but not well. She has left her job as a social worker with adults with DD, is on full disability, and can't currently drive.
I am her sole transportation, therapy-partner, etc, and I love it. Being Bipolar, however, has me a little worried. She is easily irritated and upset and, when that happens, she thinks she is having another stroke. It takes everything I have to calm her down, and so far, so good. However, my pendulum can swing at any time, and this scares me. Of course she is fully aware of this situation, and she wants to get better to help me.
I pray to God that I can be the provider and caregiver that she needs. Has anyone had an experience like this? Please let me know what you did, and how it worked.
God Bless, and thanks ahead of time.
Winston. C. Smith Sr.
I can not advise per se on being a caregiver of a person while having Bipolar BUT I can come from a person being incapacitated and having Bipolar being cared for by others.
I also know that stress and exhaustion can intensify/trigger episodes. In that you've said that you are her "everything" right now... my concern is that in being her "everything" you are going to burn out in a Bipolar blaze of unholy glory which won't help you or her.
She also shouldn't be so concerned with getting better faster to make your job easier. I know from first hand experience, to rush nature's process of healing sometimes does more damage than good in the long run. She needs to be recuperating at her own body's pace and not rush it or try to force it for someone else's benefit. It won't serve her well in the long run.
My thought, and it's only my thought, is that you call in reinforcements and all those who offer to reinforce to do so. Take respite where it is offered and if it isn't offered, ask. It's not a sign of weakness and it isn't a sign of your not caring for her. It's a sign of conserving and re-grouping the strength and mental/emotional agility you need to provide the care to her that she needs the most at the times that may be worst for her.
If you are worn totally out or swinging to and fro due to not looking after your situation, you won't be of any use to her when those moments come - and they'll come let me assure you - when she'll need you the absolute most.
Take your meds, grab rest when you can and not feel guilty if someone offers to assist and let you have some time to yourself, continue to talk with your pdoc and tdoc, and continue to pray. She is in this recovery and rehab for a long haul and I pray she'll do well in it.