198. How 18 Months of Being a Caregiver To a Stroke Survivor Changed me, Plus Book Teaser

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

How does caregiving change you?

Since my husband Mark had four strokes on Christmas Day in 2022, the past 18 months have profoundly changed me. This journey through hospitals, rehabs, and endless challenges pushed me to a new level of toughness I never knew I had.

While I never doubted my community, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the love I’ve received. This inspired the name of my new book, Surrounded by Love, which details my experience as a caregiver. So many people came to my side to help my family in our time of need, and it strengthened my belief in the goodness of humanity.

One of the biggest changes has been in my resilience. Dealing with Mark's health issues has shown me just how strong and capable I am. I've had to step up in ways I never imagined, from managing our household to ensuring Mark receives the best medical care. This has also helped me build confidence in my problem-solving skills!

My experience with Mark’s strokes has also deepened my compassion and empathy. Although I helped others through my work in senior services, I can now say I’ve walked in their shoes and know the physical and emotional toll firsthand. I feel a strong bond with my fellow caregivers.

Through it all my faith has been a constant source of strength. I've learned to lean on it more than ever, especially during the toughest moments. I’ll admit I’ve had my fair share of trauma and I have had to pull myself from spirals of grief. However, writing my book has also helped me process, and I hope it helps others in similar situations.

I’m grateful to have experienced such generosity from my friends and family and the moments of grace that come our way. This journey has changed me in ways I couldn't have anticipated, but I'm hopeful that sharing my story will help those of you facing similar challenges.

Topics discussed:

- Caregiving

- Impact of strokes on loved ones

- The power of community

- Finding inner strength

Takeaways from this episode:

- You don’t know how strong you are until you have no choice.

- Find a way to ease the emotional burden, whether it’s writing, praying, or sharing your experience with others.

- Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve come. Caregiving isn’t easy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Get my new book, 'Surrounded by Love: One's Family Journey Through Stroke Recovery': https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/book

To suggest a topic, be a guest or support the podcast, please email [e-mail]

For more senior resources and to sign up for the newsletter, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Get your copy of Surrounded by Love: One Family's Journey Through Stroke Recovery:

https://amzn.to/3Y41CxA

Mentioned in this episode:

Surrounded by Love

You can find my book, "Surrounded by Love: One Family’s Journey Through Stroke Recovery," on Amazon. It is available as a Kindle, hardcover, paperback, and also on Audible. More details can be found on my website: https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/book