As a single parent 24/7 of a typical 11 yr old boy life is a challenge without CH's. 

Currently I am in week 14 of a very high cycle and am overwhelmed by the task I must do for myself and my son without the help of a supporter.  Stress is a trigger for me and believe if I had someone to help with typical "to do" tasks, this cycle would not be as intense nor would I feel so burdened.

I have made a list for others to consider if you are a supporter to assist beyond your nurturing patience and respect of leaving the sufferer alone while attacked. 

Helping with one or several of these "to do list" tasks would certainly make my life easier while in cycle if I had a supporter, but I don't. 

Seen below is MY list....perhaps make your own list of tasks that could help the one you love?

With or without stress of daily job....laundry, shop for groceries/household supplies, prepare breakfast/lunch/dinner, clean dishes, general house cleaning-vacuum/dusting/bathrooms/trash/etc, Mon-Fri drive to/from school, drive to/from after school program, nightly homework help, weekly drive to/from welder for o2 refills, research/post clusterheadaches.com, home repairs, yard work, doctor appointments, pharmacy, miscellaneous phone calls, side trips for water/vitamins/Redbull/coffee, organize mail/pay bills, shave/shower, encouraging pep talks w/ child that "Dad will be better soon and this will eventually end", shave/shower, etc.

Maybe you could think of a few things on this list that apply to your home/situation to make life easier on the one you are a supporter of?

At the very least, offering respect of leaving the sufferer alone while attacked by the DRAGON and your supportive continued patience is always helpful.

First of all....I am sorry that you are going this alone.  That list really is not asking too much.  I have done all those things even before my Cher became a CHer.  (Except for O2 and Red Bull runs)  And we had four kids.  Our kids were all still in school when the first one hit him.  Went from Episodic to Chronic, and are on year 16.  Because I am healthy, I feel it is not too much to do all those things.  I will pray that you find a supporter someday. One day, you may find, that your son is your best supporter!  Good luck and thanks for the tips for supporters. It helps to know we are appreciated for what we can do, instead of fretting over all the stuff we can't.

That list sounds pretty familiar to me too. Especially the one that sooths the kiddos and lets them know daddy isn't himself, so the words coming out of his mouth are the CH talking, not him.

Hang in there Vegas. I pray this too will pass.

Comforting to know you 2 understand, thanks, and please try not to give up on your loved ones!

Comforting to know you 2 understand, thanks, and please try not to give up on your loved ones!

Over 31 years, of watching my CH, 29 years married to me, she hasn't given up on me yet. [smiley=shore.gif] [smiley=heart.gif]

Joe...(who knows he married way above his station)