Take Care of Yourself – Resources for Care Givers Being a caregiver for someone with a disability or chronic disease is a very important role. It usually involves a number of tasks that can be very time consuming, and can require a great deal of effort. If we do not learn to recognize that certain tasks and expectations can take their toll on us, we may find ourselves headed down the path of burnout. Burnout can be defined as exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress. Community Health Charities has partnered with member charity The ALS Association to create a video podcast to provide tips, helpful hints and resources available to those who serve in a care giving role. Click here to view this important and informational podcast.
The Alzheimer's Association focuses on eliminating Alzheimer's disease through research; education and support for persons with dementia and their caregivers and by promoting brain health.
In August 2006, Heather Ziegler was busily preparing to move her family to Japan. The time had come for Heather and her children to join her husband, Chief Petty Officer Scott Ziegler, a 19-year veteran of the Navy, in Japan where he had been stationed for more than a year. It was during that hectic summer Heather noticed a lump on her son Roman’s neck.
In August 2006, Heather Ziegler was busily preparing to move her family to Japan. The time had come for Heather and her children to join her husband, Chief Petty Officer Scott Ziegler, a 19-year veteran of the Navy, in Japan where he had been stationed for more than a year. It was during that hectic summer Heather noticed a lump on her son Roman’s neck. Trips to the doctor provided no insight into the lump, and Heather was told that it was nothing to worry about.
As the family began the overseas medical screening process, the mass on Roman’s neck began to grow larger. Heather knew then it was definitely something of great concern. Doctors removed the mass and identified it as Hodgkin disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes.
Roman’s father, Scott, remembers receiving the phone call from Heather that he describes as “the worst phone call a parent could get.” Scott recalled, “You hear ‘cancer’ and you immediately think the worst.”
Roman was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment. Doctors discovered the cancer had spread to two additional places on Roman’s neck and to lymph nodes underneath his arm.
Soon, Scott came back to the United States and was stationed at a base near the hospital in Memphis, Tenn. When Scott rejoined his family for Roman’s treatment, he knew that St. Jude would take care of Roman. “The first day was an eye opening experience. The whole family was welcomed, not just Roman,” said Scott. “One of our nurses even found another patient with the same diagnosis so Heather and I could meet the family.”
Roman endured 12 weeks of chemotherapy and 10 rounds of radiation. Today, Roman is cancer free. He returns to St. Jude every 6-8 weeks for checkups. Scott is grateful to St. Jude for saving the life of his only son.
“The Navy is based on family. The majority of the Navy has children and you never know when you may need help from organizations like St. Jude,” said Scott. “As a parent you always assume your child will be healthy. You never know when it will affect you personally. Thank God for St. Jude. My son is a success story… he is a miracle.”
Being a caregiver for someone with a disability or chronic disease is a very important role. It usually involves a number of tasks that can be very time consuming, and can require a great deal of effort. If we do not learn to recognize that certain tasks and expectations can take their toll on us, we may find ourselves headed down the path of burnout. Burnout can be defined as exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress. Community Health Charities has partnered with member charity 
In August 2006, Heather Ziegler was busily preparing to move her family to Japan. The time had come for Heather and her children to join her husband, Chief Petty Officer Scott Ziegler, a 19-year veteran of the Navy, in Japan where he had been stationed for more than a year. It was during that hectic summer Heather noticed a lump on her son Roman’s neck. Trips to the doctor provided no insight into the lump, and Heather was told that it was nothing to worry about. 
