health – Prolific Pulse Blog

Caregiver Appreciation Day

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Caregiver Appreciation Day is March 3, 2026. This day honors those who selflessly care for others’ welfare. This follows National Caregivers Day in February, affiliated with Home | The National Alliance for Caregiving With a similar focus, it makes sense that there be more than one day in the year to recognize the most important caregivers of life and life preservation. There is also Caregiver’s Month is November. Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization. Caregiver Action Network: Resources for Family Caregivers

I’ve been a caregiver many times, finding no role more meaningful, at least for me. When I say this, I am talking about many aspects of caregiving, whether it be working together with a team, working in a compact unit such as family caregiving, or caregiving as an individual unit. And there are other types of caregiving. Certain caregivers get compensated; others do not. The greatest pay is the satisfaction of feeling confident in knowing that others get the care they truly need.

Share your journey as a caregiver. What support was available to help you in this role? I put together a section in my book, Caring for Souls: “Stress Management for the Caregiver”

Caregivers and receivers alike are vulnerable to stress. Stress affects health and personal relationships. If your resources to handle situations are low or depleted, there is more vulnerability to becoming ill or to have much confusion.

Having experienced caregiving roles and intermediary positions, I understand the necessity of evaluating effective and ineffective methods. These are simply suggestions. You, of course, do what works for you.

Ideally, one of the best ways to manage stress is to build an arsenal of awareness which is stocked daily. Some items that may help:

· Assertiveness. Develop the skill to decline activities that destabilize your energy and time.

· Feelings Checks. Communicate how you feel. This clears the air and helps you recognize the value of feelings. How often have we held onto certain feelings and discovered that once we communicate them, we heal?

· Have fun! Don’t let life pass by without savoring its joys. Take the time to play games, read, work on creative projects, play music, go to movies, stay in for movies, go out to eat or order in, and do whatever you truly enjoy.

· Exercise. You needn’t run marathon distances. Enjoy the outdoors, walk through your neighborhood, or visit local shops or fitness centers. Senior centers offer many options for exercise and fun. Some even have adult day programs for your person.

· Journal. Keep a journal for yourself, along with encouraging the family to do the same. This provides release, insight, problem-solving, and personal documentation. They also come in handy when going to medical appointments.

· Flexibility. Sometimes it seems like a day is full of compromises. When caring for others, you often have to change plans to meet their needs. Accepting that each day has surprising moments makes it easier to handle whatever comes your way.

· Nutritional meals. Feed your internal arsenal to build stamina and energy stores. Treat yourself to foods you like and make meals a featured event. If able, it can be a fun activity to prepare meals with your person. Maybe they can prepare the table, wash produce, do other meaningful work, or simply stay with you as you prepare.

· Medication and supplements. Sustained use of prescribed medication is essential. Supplement the diet with necessary vitamins and minerals.

· Engagement. Involve your family member who has medical needs in activities you enjoy. Of course, safety first. This helps to build strong, healthy relationships. Getting others involved in activities also helps with socialization.

· Respite. If workable, please steal moments from your family. Other family members or friends could provide respite care. If this is not possible, then check into respite care programs in the community. Note: for end-of-life care, such as in-home hospice, it is more difficult to manage. Even a step outside is supreme relief.

· Reality Checking. Expect some frustrating days. Accepting that there are going to be these days will help you release stress. Be good to yourself. On unpleasant days, try your best to adapt.

LindaAnn LoSchiavo, a caregiver for her mother, who had terminal cancer, expressed her story well in her chapbook Cancer Courts My Mother.” She put together this video, and I believe it illustrates what people can relate to as a caregiver and helps to increase awareness.

Caregivers will derive comfort and solace from the poems in LindaAnn LoSchiavo’s award-winning book “Cancer Courts My Mother” AND in this special horoscope she has created for all the volunteer caregivers out there.

Sample of Cancer Courts My Mother https://buy.bookfunnel.com/db5iql4jef

non-fiction, Personal Essay, poetry, Senior Health

World Cancer Day – February 4, 2026

February 3, 2026 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

As we enter World Cancer Day, how I wish this were a topic that we could just sweep under the carpet. Unfortunately, when faced with cancer, it’s unavoidable. It will not bring out a Pollyanna in me. It has had too strong an effect on my family and friends.

Therefore, pausing for thought for one full day becomes significant. What has cancer done to change our lives? What losses have we experienced? Is there any year that passes without your considering cancer as a potential cause for an ill feeling?

Cancer is sneaky. It worms its way into the body without invitation. I mean, last time I checked, I don’t recall asking it to visit my family members, yet here it came and did not want to leave. My sister had lung cancer. She had not smoked for years, realizing it was not serving her a purpose more important than life. Hearing she possessed this was unexpected.

Yes, it responded to treatment, including partial lung removal, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Despite all she went through, she had a positive demeanor, believing in believing. Technically, the treatment cured her. Her doctor told her it would be something else that would take her, not cancer. She could travel to Alaska from our home in North Carolina and spend time with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. For this, I am grateful. And I cherish the time we had together before she moved to Alaska. She ended up with a few short years before she passed away. Her heart had spent enough time on earth.

Has cancer affected you? What is your story?

As a caregiver for more than one cancer patient, I wrote this poem, based on personal experience.

Hearts to Hands

As you lay in the hospital bed I was lost.

You were jaundiced, dying, and needing care.

You looked into my eyes:

“my feet are cold”

Gently placing my hands on your feet,

feeling the thin parchment like skin,

and observing the golden glow of jaundice.

Mixing Vaseline with hospital lotion,

then warming the mixture in my hands.

Massaging your soles, arches,

and rounding to the dorsum

such warm flows, energy exchanges.

Stretching each toe, kneading the pads, some pop.

Our smiling eyes connect as softness pervades.

Warming your fuzzy slippers on the heater,

scrunching and easing them on your warm, softened feet.

Just standing with hands on your covered feet,

having a private moment,

energy pouring from my hands and exchanging hearts.

How I wish that moment would heal you.

Even if a new day meant another treatment.

Each day is the chance to show you how much I love you.

I do and you love me too.

Words did not have to be said.

I knew it when you looked at me and said,

“my feet are cold.”

Previously published in Fine Lines Literary Journal

The Cardinal is a sign of hope and love from beyond. This picture was drawn by Kayla Wygal and included in the coloring pages of Caring for Souls.

As depicted in this video, cancer is life “the thief in the night.” I would encourage you to view this and reflect.

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-March 30, 2024

March 30, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Happy TTOT time! And March, in this neck of the woods, has turned into a gentle lamb. We are looking at 77 degrees today, daughter is in shorts (I have a sweater on), and the weekend looks to be gorgeous. How many thankfuls did you count?

It’s that time of year when I am lucky to see my sweetheart by 9 p.m. Yes…tax season is strong and healthy. The good news is that his office is feeding him supper. He shared the menu with me, and I started plotting how I could go help at the office. We have worked for the same firm before, but that’s not happening this time. He’s the only CPA with whom I would work alongside. I will listen to feedback about which dishes he liked, so I can make them for him later on. I learned from this last year that he found shrimp and grits to be delicious. Well, I did not know this, and I know how to make that dish. He’s had it a few times since-from my kitchen. I loved learning he liked them, also because that is one of my favorite dishes.

It’s been a super busy time in the publishing scene. We bumped up two books, by special request. My norm is one book per month. I am grateful to see the other side of this very soon. We’ve had great book launches and I was honored to do one for my favorite SistersRoc’N’Rhyme duo. We even did one with a mixed venue of live, on site while the rest of the participants were virtual. It went well.

This upcoming week is National Poetry Month and that changes our focus. You may be seeing more posts and poetry. The poster for this year is amazing.

Source

Daughter is doing well with her Aloha Ambassador program. She’s oriented new members to the program and it’s gone well. She has arthroscopic knee surgery soon. The date is not set, but should be set up next week., We pray she finds relief after they rework her knee. It worked for me when I was in my twenties. Back then, you stayed in bed with a cast because they did long incisions. Then you lugged the cast around for a bit. So, I am grateful for much less invasive surgeries.

I think that there are at least ten things highlighted up there. And I am confident there will be more to come. May you know these blessings as well.

poetry, Senior Health, six sentence story

The Signs of a Stroke

June 18, 2022 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

How ironic that I saw the prompt of “Stroke” for the Six Sentence Story, especially since on June 17 I received word that a beloved family member had mini strokes. Thankfully-they are home and on the mend. It only seems appropriate to list the signs of a stroke and since there are six letters, you know what that means…

Signs of a Stroke

Severe headaches could happen, so pay attention when this does.

Trouble talking or understanding, take a breath and signal for help.

Refocusing due to trouble with vision or even loss could mean there’s something going on.

Ordinary feelings go numb and you may feel weak one or both, help you must seek.

Keep checking numbness, indicate where it is, ask for someone to watchfully note.

Equilibrium feels off with dizzies or loss of balance or ever a fall, for which 911 you want to call.

…..

There’s more to learn every day and here’s a link to help: Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Short Fiction, short story, six sentence story

We Got This

January 22, 2021 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

“Great and marvelous are thy works, o Lord of hosts, almighty God…,” were the words flowing from Clarabelle as she sat beside Herbie’s hospital bed, he smiled and held her hand, listening to her angelic voice, much like the clink of the crystals hanging from the doorway, gentle, yet powerful.

“He’s going to be just fine, ma’am, he just had a little stress, but his heart checked out fine,” the doctor patted Herbie on the shoulder, “now, you do need to stop that smoking, it’s only fair of me to mention, as it is slowing you down,” Herbie nodded and looked over at Clarabelle and winked.

The doctor left the room, Clarabelle looked in her husband’s eyes and held his hand, “you know, honey, it’s important to listen to what the doctor said, I, uh,” tears rolled down her cheeks and Herbie’s eyes watered.

Squeezing his wife’s hand, Herbie spoke, through choked back tears, “Clair, we are going to do this together, I know what I need to do and as hard as it is gonna be, it’s gotta be done,” to which Clarabelle nodded and arose from her seat.

“Many are called for great things, love, and you were called to be with me and while I am not a great thing, I need to tell you, I need you in my life, Herbie, and there’s no two ways about it, I marvel at God’s gift to us, and sure don’t want to take it for granted.”

Often, Herbie thought his wife should start preaching, because her words would stick with him better than any person at the pulpit, reaching for her hand, he gave it a squeeze, “honey, we have this covered, no matter what, and that is that, you are the greatest thing to ever happen to me.”