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.