These last few weeks have been difficult. I’ve been feeling like I’m trapped in water below an ice sheet. There’s an air hole above me and if I can reach that hole and breathe for an hour or two a day, then I can plunge back down into the black water and survive. But if I can’t do that, then I might drown. But I began to feel there was a conspiracy of people trying to stop me reaching the air hole.
Agency carers, cleaners, gardeners, neighbours, people have been expecting things of me. ‘Can you just do that?’ said one. ‘Can you just do this?’ asked another. ‘Can you make that phone call?’; ‘Can you make sure mum does X and Y?’. While none of these tasks were particularly onerous in themselves, I experienced them as straws being piled on my back.
Mum usually has a siesta in the afternoons and during that time (even though I’d often also like to take a siesta) I try to do something for myself – reading, writing, anything that makes me feel like I still have some sort of identity. But recently, on a Sunday afternoon when I was settling down to a couple of hours of peace and quiet the phone rang: it was the district nurse. She wanted to come round to talk to me about mum’s incontinence. She showed commendable commitment to her job but I felt like bursting into tears. It really was the last straw.
In my mind, I could hear someone whispering – ‘Just give up. You’ll be happier if you just abdicated from your own life.’ But everything I am fought against the idea of erasing my own identity – even if the battle to maintain my own inner autonomy exhausted me.
And then, mum asked me the same question for the twentieth time and it all seemed so completely absurd that I started to laugh. And I realised: to survive, I need to become a sort of mermaid. Somehow or other, I have to learn to breathe underwater.
livingwithmotherblog 
But you’ve always been a beautiful mermaid in my eyes, Polly! (or at least some kind of fabulous mythical creature)
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That is rather how I view myself! And why I cant work out what I’m doing caring for mum….so now I know I’m a mermaid things feel better!!!
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Beautiful essay, though it sort of terrified me — for you, and me (potentially), and other caregivers. I’m glad you found some release through laughing. Sending you lots of love and support!
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Writing this post wasnt easy but it helped me to work through something. And lots of love and support greatfully received!!
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You are a truly wonderful mermaid. Don’t give up and remain strong.
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Thank you, that’s so kind.
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There are so many struggles involved when taking on an aging parent. It is draining and stressful but also very rewarding and gratifying that you can take care of someone who has cared for you. I am always looking online for article to help assist with the care of my mother. I sometimes get so frustrated I want to give up but it is so reassuring to see that others are going through the same exact thing and share such valuable advice! I recently came across a phenomenal book that has helped me immensely during this process called “The Caregiving Trap” by author Pamela Wilson (http://pameladwilson.com/book/). The author speaks from experience and helps with really difficult situations such as setting up boundaries (it is so easy to get burnt out from this!),she helps build confidence in yourself again for taking on such a monumental task, and she explains all the personal, financial and health risks involved. She even gives scenarios (many that I could relate with) and realistic options of what to do. I can’t recommend it enough. I hope you will give it a read. Stay strong!
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Thanks Bianca for your insightful and sympathetic comments. I’m going to take a look at the book you recommend. Best wishes and good luck!
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