About Ludie Hansen
My Entire Family Was Diagnosed, And I Was The Caregiver
We had no history of cancer in our family. But one by one, we all got diagnosed.
My mom had severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression from the loss of independence as she required oxygen 24/7 and couldn’t socialize like she loved to do.
My dad had 4 different kinds of cancer, each diagnosed while monitoring the other after surgery. He had complications with his prior prostate cancer treatment, and we believed he had cancer overtaking his body. It went downhill after he had to have a colostomy.
My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28. Her health has been a rollercoaster, getting an allergic reaction from her second round of chemo, getting pneumonitis and almost losing her. She had stopped chemo and later got lumpectomy.
A year later, her cancer returned. She had a breakdown and went into drugs and excessive drinking before going into rehab and getting her chemo completed.
My other daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which stemmed from PTSD of being groomed by a sexual predator. Both of my daughters were victims of him. Because of her severe psychotic episodes, we had to give her space, and she had to heal on her own. Now, she’s married with three children.
I was battling my own demons too. Previously, I had thyroid cancer.
After 34 years as a speech pathologist, I was thrust out of my career. I felt worthless and lost who I was. I ended up becoming agoraphobic, only leaving the house for my doctor’s appointments and to take my daughter to her chemo appointments.
While I was taking care of my mother-in-law (who is legally blind and living with us since father-in-law passed), I had debilitating, severe back pain, making me unable to walk more than 10 feet at a time or stand up for a length of time.
I was in severe depression and weighed over 300 pounds. I couldn’t get surgery unless I lost at least 60 pounds.
Once I was able to get my surgery, my parents died 16 days apart from each other, so they never got to see me after my weight loss.
So Much Heartache And No Answers
I couldn’t understand why this was happening to us.
Why was my family passing away from terrible conditions? Why was my family being torn apart by grief?
Thinking about it now, I was glad I lost my job because it allowed me to take care of my parents and daughters. I was able to travel back and forth between Arizona and Texas to help my sister and give her a break.
It was a lot taking care of my family, but thankfully I had support.
What got me through was my sister, my faith in God and my counsellor who helped me work through my insecurities and frustrations.
I wasn’t worthless or hopeless.
I was dealt with an impossible situation. And all I could do was take care of my family and remind them how much I love them.
As you can imagine, health and wellness means a lot to me.
It’s something we take for granted until the day we get diagnosed.
That’s why wherever I go, I help people battle their chronic illnesses and support caregivers who give it their all.
We Can’t Heal On Our Own
When I shared my story, others shared their stories too, from caregivers to those with chronic illnesses. The thought of other people going through that pain alone is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I want you to know that you don’t have to handle all the responsibilities of your family on your own to prove that you are worthy or reliable.
Having a chronic illness also doesn’t mean that it should stop you from living either.
There is another side to the trials and frustrations. There is another way to care for your family and have your own space to heal.
I truly believe that while there will always be struggles and hardships, how we deal with them shapes our outcomes and future.
If you want a mentor who can help you live a healthier life mentally and physically, regardless of your responsibilities or chronic illness, then book a call with me.
