For most of my life, I have no recollection of my mom ever needing a doctor, having an emergency health issue, or needing medical intervention. Consider that a blessing, right? Yes, but with that being said, there were other challenges—relational and emotional challenges—that had always been present in our relationship. When things were good with my mom, they were great and when they were hard, they were, at times, unbearable.

How do you have a loved one take the necessary tests when there is such unwillingness to admit there is a problem? That is called denial and, as a caregiver, you may also have to deal with that reality. I titled this chapter, “Hurdles,” because that’s exactly what it felt like. My mom was in an incredible amount of pain, but she had a way of dismissing it. So I never really knew what was going on with her. I did my best to help her feel comfortable with the intention of getting her to a doctor so we could find out what was causing her pain. As I overcame one hurdle, another would come—it was exhausting.

For issues like cancer and other illnesses, you will not receive a diagnosis until you have specific tests. That may include blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, biopsies, and more. My mom was not interested in any of these procedures, which left me with the burden of trying to figure out what was happening. Come along with me in this chapter to see how I handled these challenges as I continued in my caregiving journey.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ~ Galatians 5:22