After a much needed 2-week respite where I went to Florida with my brother and sis-in-law, I was to pick up my husband at the NH he was in and bring him home; they said they would accept him for permanent placement pending Medicaid approval and I agreed, as it takes two people to cope with him and I couldn't do it by myself anymore. Now I suddenly find myself with freedom from all the care-taking but remembering all the good things about him, and missing him, and tearful and unsure of my new life. Any thoughts about coping with this?
If you are outgoing, consider starting or organizing a group at husbands nursing home for others in similar situation. The social worker can help you get this organized and started. You will be doing something positive and I'm sure it will be welcomed by others who would like to share and talk about their feelings and experiences.
There are many here that have walked this walk and will be giving advice and ideas on how they did it. Keep coming back.
Enjoy your husband and give yourself all the permission you need to sort through feelings and reconnect with yourself and who you are and who you will be. You are no longer on hold; embrace this next phase. It will be wonderful.
Don't sit at home on the pity pot... get out there in the world. Even if all you feel able to do now is join a grief or caregiver support group, put yourself out there.
It's always scary to have to recreate your life, but who know what wonderful things the future can hold!