It’s most important getting the right diagnosis as it helps caregivers know what to expect—and how best to support their loved one.

It feels like I’m pushing uphill, against a wall that’s too heavy to move, every single day. And I’m not alone. I hear it from other caregivers, too: the care team interactions can be exhausting and, more often than not, feel like a fight.

This big, lovable goofball burst into our lives with energy, curiosity, and a stubborn streak that rivals mine. I’ll be honest - my heart wasn’t ready.

Maneuvering that all-too-familiar pause between “real life” and “hospital life”

That breath of air comes when I’m in my garden; my hands in the dirt, the sun on my face, watching life quietly unfurl itself. It doesn’t erase the caregiving journey I’m walking — it simply gives me a moment to breathe on my own.

When you’re dealing with a serious, ongoing, or life-limiting health issue, you don’t need someone who’s just checking boxes or following a flowchart. You need someone who gets you — the real you — not just the patient sitting in front of them.

I know people mean well when they say it. They're trying to offer comfort, trying to wrap a hard situation in something that sounds like strength and hope.

It’s hard to believe how much life can shift in less than two years.

Understanding people with chronic disease

Clarice slides in with big feet and a big heart

For additional information on caregiving, CareGiver.com is a great resource.