Sometimes Lisa Marino had just 20 minutes to write. Other days, she could manage an hour between the demands of caring for her mother.
Those small stretches of time became a novel, but they also gave her somewhere to turn as her mother’s health declined.
Lisa shared her experience at Riverton Library on October 13 during National Carers Week, speaking about the work, uncertainty and grief that can come with unpaid caring.
Her caring role began suddenly in 2020. Her mother was recovering from a broken shoulder in a temporary residential care facility when COVID restrictions stopped visitors.
Lisa brought her home and took long service leave to look after her. Halfway through that leave, her mother had a stroke.
After nearly 20 years working in public diplomacy, Lisa retired earlier than planned to become her full-time carer.
Initially, her days involved helping her mother shower and dress, preparing meals and arranging appointments. As her mother’s condition worsened, she needed palliative care at home.
Lisa learnt to use a mechanical hoist, turn and bathe her mother in bed, and manage her medications.
“The hardest part was watching the gradual loss,” she said.
“My mother was like a sister to me, and seeing her slowly slip away bit by bit was incredibly painful.”
Broken sleep and uncertainty added to the strain. Lisa questioned whether she could physically manage the care her mother needed.
Her husband completed hoist training alongside her and helped her cope with the daily demands.
Lisa also accessed counselling through Carers WA and received support from Silverchain’s palliative care team, who visited their home.
“Having a professional, dedicated space to speak honestly about the emotional toll of full-time caregiving made a massive difference to my mental well-being,” she said.
Writing offered another outlet. Over four and a half years, Lisa worked on her debut novel, ‘The Shearwater’s Song’, whenever time allowed.
The book is fiction, rather than an account of her mother’s life. But its 1950s setting let Lisa imagine the era when her mother was young, while parts of the setting drew on her mother’s connection to Perth and Mount Pleasant.
“In a way, it became my method of staying close to the person she used to be,” she said.
Her mother died in 2024. Lisa said she remained grateful for their final years together, despite the difficulties.
About 30 people attended the library talk, hosted by the City of Canning and Mission Australia.
Eight attendees received copies of ‘The Shearwater’s Song’, which Lisa signed during the event.
Lisa said discussions with carers touched on taking breaks without guilt, accessing counselling and the emotional effects that can remain long after caring ends.
One attendee spoke about still feeling the loss years later. Others welcomed the chance to talk about experiences that can be hard to explain.
Lisa’s message to people currently caring for someone was to make room for themselves too.
“Your dreams still matter,” she said.
“Try to find those stolen moments just for you, whether that means spending time on something that brings you joy, or simply giving yourself a private space to process your own grief and impending loss.”
