What happens when a medical professional becomes the primary caregiver for their own parent? Dr. Melissa Glass, a doctorate trained registered nurse and John Maxwell certified coach, takes us through her profound journey of caring for her mother during the pandemic's darkest days.
The caregiver journey often begins unexpectedly. For Dr. Glass, it started with long-distance care as her fiercely independent mother battled health challenges in Louisiana. When COVID-19 changed everything in 2020, Dr. Glass brought her mother to live with her in Texas while simultaneously pursuing her doctorate and managing a household. Her mother's complex medical needs—end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, uncontrolled diabetes, and complications leading to an amputation—created a perfect storm of caregiving intensity.
Despite her medical expertise, Dr. Glass discovered that caring for family introduces emotional complexities professional training can't prepare you for. "Even working in healthcare... I never understood how do you even find time to take care of yourself?" she reflects candidly. Her story illuminates the universal struggle caregivers face: balancing expertise with familial relationships while maintaining boundaries and self-care.
The most touching revelations come through Dr. Glass's description of their final holiday season together. Her mother, typically camera-shy, allowed precious photos and videos that now provide comfort in grief. "Sometimes when I just need a little comfort to want to hear my mother's voice... I don't mourn over them as much as I use it as a comfort," she shares, offering wisdom about documentation that every caregiver should hear.
After her mother's peaceful transition in January 2021, Dr. Glass developed the powerful SHIFT framework (Scripture, Holy Spirit, Illuminate, Faith, Testimony) that guided her healing journey. Her story reminds us that caregiving, while tremendously challenging, often becomes the crucible where our deepest spiritual growth occurs.
Join us for this moving conversation about medical caregiving, capturing memories, finding personalized self-care, and discovering God's presence even in our darkest moments. Connect with Dr. Glass on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram to continue the conversation about resilience through caregiving's most difficult seasons.
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