Christy A.

About Christy A.

Caregivers do come in many forms, but often times it is family. My grandfather has prostate cancer. He was widowed in 1998 when we lost my grandmother to skin and lung cancer. Since that day, our family has done what we can to always ensure that he has the best care possible. Over the last ten years, my grandfather’s health has been declining. At age 85, that is something most people expect. Without a spouse to help at home, a bulk of his care has fallen to my mother, his daughter.

My mother, Donna Tremont, works tirelessly to coordinate every aspect of his care. From getting him to doctors appointments, staying with him in the hospital (he is there roughly once a month lately), sitting with him through transfusions, buying his groceries, paying his bills, cleaning his house, to quite literally everything in between, she does so while also working and taking care of her own home. Five years ago, my grandfather also lost his oldest son, my mother’s oldest brother, and she became a part time caregiver to him as well during the last health battle of his life, all while also taking care of my grandfather.

My mother works for WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) and has done so for almost 30 years. She has always seen to the health needs of others, and is one of those rare people who truly loves their job. She will tell you it is because of the people she works with, and the people she helps. While she gets paid a small amount for what she does there, she really and truly always steps up and serves those in need when she can. Though she was estranged from her brother, she stepped in and gave care to him when he needed it most, and she has been by my grandfathers side every step of the way.

We do our best to help her when she can, but she is a force to be reckoned with. We try to help her rest, take things off her plate, but it is difficult to convince her otherwise. She is deserving of every little treat this planet has to offer, though she does things never expecting repayment or help. She is just made that way.

Share on: Facebook | Twitter
Read More | Submit your Story