My sister (32) is developmentally delayed with cerebral palsy. She can communicate somewhat, but she needs care 100%. She’s been living with me since we found out our mom has cancer (about 2 months now). We are waiting on placement for my sister, which breaks my heart, but I don’t have much of a choice. The state doesn’t pay home aides enough that I could quit work and just care for my sister.

I’m a single mom to a 14 year old who’s starting high school in a few weeks. She’s always gone to private school, and high school will be no different. However, it’s expensive and with everything going on, I can’t work much. I’m a nurse who, up until two months ago, was working two jobs. I told my second job that I’m out for a while and they understood and haven’t had an issue. My full time job is at a doctor’s office/clinic through the university of my state. The benefits and hours are perfect. I love my coworkers and boss. I got FMLA for my mom to help with chemo and doctor appointments, but I can’t get it or use it for my sister. I’ve been working half days every day for the last almost two months. My boss asked me yesterday what the plan was. She’s been rude and cold towards me lately - as if my mom caught the cancer on purpose so I had to take my sister - so I’ve just tried to stay away. I told her maybe I need to look for something remote/work from home nurse triage jobs. She nodded her head and said “yea”. It hurt because her and I have always gotten along and she knows I have a good work ethic and love my job.

I’m so irritated. It isn’t like any of this has been fun. I’m burning through my pto, and while I’m thankful to be home with my daughter every afternoon while she’s out of school, I’m always caring for my sister.

I’m so scared to lose my mom, and to put my sister in a group home where they are mean or not patient with her, and I’m scared and lose on my job situation. Ugh. When will life turn around?!