Caregiving Story

I have been a caregiver since I was 22 years old. I am now 50 years old. One of my clients was Mrs. Alice Ballard. She was married to a wonderful man in the service. He retired and they came to live in Myrtle Beach. Mrs.Ballard found out she had lung cancer. She received treatment and was doing well when her husband passed away from a sudden heart attack. Mrs. Ballard had two daughters. Cam lived in Alaska and Mary lived at the time in Athens Georgia. They relocated their mother to Florence, SC. This was her home as a child growing up. I had helped a friend of Mrs. Ballard's by running errands,paying bills, bathing--what ever she required in her daily living. She gave Cam my telephone number.

The first time I met Mrs. Ballard, I knew we were going to enjoy each others' company. We had many laughs and wonderful times together. We grew to love each other and became best friends. We went out to eat, took drives around town, and went shopping to the mall. We did so many things and we talked on the telephone when I was not with her. She was cancer free for many years. Then the cancer came back and she could not get out. We stayed in and spent time talking and I found little projects that we could do. I took care of all her daily wants and needs. I was with Mrs. Ballard, holding her hand when she passed away, and it was if i was losing my own mother. I said a silent prayer for us both. I stayed with Mrs. Ballard until she was seen by her doctor and she was taken away. I called her daughters and let them know that wonderful sweet lady was gone. I remember thinking how blessed I was to have had her as my dear friend. I will always love and carry her precious memory in my heart.