2009 “Give a Caregiver a Break” RUNNER-UP: SHANNON
"Friends to the End"
My name is Shannon Rivera. I am 32 years old. I am the caregiver for my mom Francisca, who is 74 years old. My mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the fall of 2000. Her cancer, which is in the bone marrow, is in stage 3. She also has neuropathy, which means she has no sensibility in her hands, legs and feet. She feels a burning electricity through these parts of her body. If she cuts or hits herself, she doesn't feel it. So I have to watch her when she is in the kitchen. She can barely walk, but she tries with a walker.
I take care of my mom 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. I bathe her, cook, clean and take her to her appointments. I wait on her hand and foot. She is my mom, but she is also the only friend I have. We have no one to help us or help me with her. It is very hard for me, but I will be there till the end.
At this point in our lives, we are losing our home. We will soon be evicted, because we can't pay for it. This is very difficult because I don't know where to turn or ask for help. We only live off one income, my mom's, and it is not enough to live off. They cut off my mom's Medicaid due to her income. We can't afford her medications that the doctors ask her to get. I feel worthless that I can't help, because I'm taking care of her and can't work.
My mom receives chemotherapy 2 to 3 times a week. It hurts to see how she sometimes gets after chemo. She feels weak. The nausea and diarrhea are bad. Sometimes her blood counts go down and she has to receive blood transfusions and that makes her even weaker.
I wish many a time that she would of never gotten sick, because it hurts so bad to see her this way. My mom and I are alone and have no one to turn. Life is lonely for me as a caregiver, but I would not change it for anything because putting her in a home would be wrong. She is my mom and I will give her the love and patience she needs.
To be honest, at times I want to give up. But then I see how strong and positive my mom is because for 10 years she has been battling cancer and is still going strong. God is wonderful to my mom and I. God will take us through the right path.
—Shannon Rivera, Miami, FL
Winner of $500 of free respite care
from Home Instead Senior Care