On My Way Back to You: A Caregiver's Journey

Empower Her Wellness

This episode is about Sarah Cart’s heartfelt journey, exploring the intricacies and profound impacts of caregiving, and advocating for a better understanding and support system for those who care for their loved ones.

Support the podcast

Facebook Group

You can find Sarah's book "On My Way Back to You: One Couple's Journey Through Catastrophic Illness to Hope and Healing" here.

Consider being an organ donor

About Sarah

Sarah Cart was raised and educated in New York and New England. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in multiple local publications while she and her husband, Ben, raised four sons in northeastern Ohio. Upon becoming empty nesters, the two moved to the Florida Keys. Then in 2017, Ben was diagnosed with a degenerative autoimmune disorder and over time, their relationship evolved to that of patient and caregiver, but by the dawn of 2020, Ben was dying. Ten days into the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, his kidneys crashed, his heart was failing, and he ended up in the ICU at Cleveland Clinic Weston (FL).

Sarah’s memoir, On My Way Back to You, is more than the chronicle of Ben’s journey to death’s doorstep and back. It’s a love story about resiliency and the power of community, a roadmap through some of life’s greatest challenges and the determination of two people who relied on grit, grace, and endless patience to find their way back to each other.

Having sheltered in place in Florida for the entirety of 2020, in the wake of Ben’s undergoing miraculous lifesaving measures, they have been afforded the unanticipated gift of a future and, more than ever before, relish time spent with family and friends.

Show Notes

Main Theme: The Emotional and Practical Realities of Caregiving

Episode Highlights:

1. Sarah’s Caregiving Journey:

• Detailed account of caring for her partner Ben, who suffers from systemic sclerosis.
• Chronicles the severe health challenges including significant weight loss, heart complications, and a heart transplant in 2019.
• Emotional impact of caregiving, compounded by the pandemic and another person undergoing kidney failure and heart transplant.

1. Caregiving Complexities:

• The narrative exposes the insufficient training and support systems for caregivers.
• Highlights the emotional and physical toll on caregivers, stressing the need for proper recognition and support.
• Discusses the importance of having difficult conversations about mortality and care preferences.

1. Medical Decision-Making:

• Emphasizes understanding patient values in medical decisions through personal anecdotes.
• Reflection on relationships after roles have changed, bringing back lighthearted banter and communication. .

1. Societal Implications:

• Urges for broader societal recognition and education regarding caregiving roles.
• Highlights the critical role of unpaid caregivers in the U.S. healthcare system.
• Alarming statistics about caregiver mortality.

1. Coping Mechanisms:

• Coping strategies like journaling and mindfulness are shared.
• Stresses the importance of self-care for caregivers.

1. Shelly’s Insights:

• Discusses the necessity to validate diverse coping strategies.
• Importance of maintaining social connections beyond caregiving responsibilities.

1. Advocacy for Organ Donation:

• Strong advocacy for organ donation, highlighting its life-changing potential.
• Addresses frustrations faced by patients with limited treatment options.

Key Takeaways:

• Caregiving is an underappreciated and under-supported role with significant emotional and physical impacts.
• The importance of open communication and preparation for future independence.
• The critical need for better support systems and societal recognition of caregivers.
• Organ donation can significantly alter the course of patients’ lives, and increased awareness is essential.