Kevin K shares his story: My mother's health has been precarious. Her kidney function is extremely poor, and we are trying to decide what to do. A large part of my non-school day is spent with caregiving responsibilities of one kind or another.

I now drive again because I need to shuttle my mother to various medical appointments. I'm glad I can do it, but I do feel my life energy being sucked out of me sometimes.

I really see the value in living from day-to-day sometimes. When one looks at the pig picture, it can be quite overwhelming.

But I'm trying to create a "scorpion-free zone" around her (thanks to Judy for the analogy!) so that my mother doesn't have to worry about anything.

She and our "new" dog --Romeo-- really get along. He's eight months old and just got neutered on Friday and is always a handful for us, but he is truly a gift. He has changed the dynamic of the house and given my mother a reason to live.

Between him, my mother and school, I really have no other life. The bulk of caregiving -- cleaning, cooking, financial management, medical/dental/vision  transports and consultations, physical exercise, recreation, you name it -- I do.