Rob Harris is a human resources professional who specializes in helping business leaders with strategic relationships and employee needs. However, its main functions are in the jet as a caregiver for his wife. She is a cancer survivor twice lymphoma and sarcoma. He describes his life as a caregiver as "enriched beyond imagination by taking care of it over a period of several years."
He began writing as a way to spread his passion for caregiving and runs her own website, Rob Cares. with two books to be published soon, he still finds time to actively respond to comments on his blog. We thank him for shared her inspiring story and contributing his knowledge to our community center with mesothelioma.
the date was May 11, 06. at that time, we were informed that my wife had not only cancer, but was given a chance only 30 percent survival, can not see the next holiday season, and would need to have the left leg immediately.
that day, I became a caregiver for the second time
My first reaction was that someone might expect: .. shock, panic, fear, and all the other emotional responses could predict when received devastating news
He was a little over five years since that horrible day, one I remember like it was yesterday.
We'll cut straight to the epilogue, because the story has a very happy ending ??
My wife survived. Yes, she loses her leg and we still face complications as a result, but it is not cancer.
Now comes the surprise.
Being a caregiver was the most rewarding life experience -Change I never would have imagined.
Why?
My wife and I fell deeper in love than ever. We have now been married for thirty-one years, and every day feels like a honeymoon. We never take a single day for granted. We know how precious every moment together can and should be.
We realize that money, careers, what house you live and what car you drive means nothing when fighting against a disease that affects all economic groups of the population. Suddenly, everyone is the same. Titles and positions count. Cancer does not discriminate. Things you once cherished or Craved become almost meaningless. Years later, they still are. Materialism is for others, not for us.
We learned to appreciate every day as if it. At the time, my wife came back to life after his heart stopped beating, we coined the phrase "Stinkin Every Day!" We use the acronym ESD on a daily basis. Every night we ask each another, "what was your moment of ESD?" This is another way of saying: "what did you do today that made your special day"? It prevents us from becoming complacent.
We fully believe and practice of committing "random acts of kindness" each week if not more often. We never let those we honor know that we are the initiators unless we have no choice. We prefer to remain anonymous. We are buying family meals in restaurants, pay for the car behind us to drive thru, pay tolls for one or more drivers, and many other acts that fills our hearts with joy.
I became a caregiver lawyer, coach, author and blogger. This has nothing to do with financial gain. In fact, I took off thousands of dollars of our savings account so I can offer advice and assistance to other caregivers, patients, members of the medical community and those in need. Nothing, other than family events, made me so happy and content.
All this took place because I became a caregiver to my best friend, my wife.
Caregiving is scary and, likely, the hardest work you will ever make. It comes with a lot of pain and suffering. However, if you leave your glass half full, or in our case, overflowing, you will gain experience as you ever imagined. You will know your beloved better than ever and, just as importantly, you will learn more about yourself than you might have ever guessed.
If I could do it again, I would not change a thing.
caregivers are our silent heroes. I am proud to be a member of that very elite company.
