Fearless Caregiver Profile: Christie Moore

How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?

I instantaneously became my husband’s caregiver the day the doctors shared his diagnosis.

Has your relationship changed with the loved one that you are caring for? If so how?

Yes.  One of the known side effects to liver failure is Hepatic encephalopathy, which affects brain function.  When toxins build up in the blood, it causes confusion and delirium. My husband did not have the cognitive function to fully understand what was happening.

What is the hardest thing about being a caregiver and the most rewarding thing?

Hardest -uncertainty, loneliness and heartache. The daily impact we experience being surrounded by critical illness is unimaginable. Most rewarding is getting to be my husbands caregiver and being physically, mentally and emotionally fit when he needed me.

What advice would you give to other caregivers?

Cherish every moment you have together.  Tell them how much you love them, how they changed and influenced your life, share it all. Curl up next to them, embrace them, let them feel your love and security.  Reassure them that they are not a burden.

In ten words or less, what has caregiving taught you?

Practice gratitude daily and know every circumstance is temporary.

Describe a situation where being a Fearless Caregiver helped you succeed?

When everything felt hopeless and impossible, I chose to believe.

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Fearless Caregiver Profile: Join us as we celebrate Fearless Caregivers sharing personal stories as we care for our loved ones. Read this week’s Fearless Caregiver Profile and feel free to add your profile as well, so we can learn from and share with our fellow caregivers.