New at being a caregiver?

I recently have become a caregiver to my uncle that has lived with me for 27 years and he suddenly became unable to do things for himself. the hardest for me is changing his diaper, I haven't done it yet and am not looking forward to it. He is on hospice and the nurses and aide help a lot and the nurse told me I can where a mask or put vicks under my nose for the smell.

I've had a job where I've had to do this. You can do it.

First of all, you need to cleanse your psyche. You have all kinds of emotional attachments to feces that, although natural, are unecessary and the result of a pampered modern life.
You have to think to yourself "it's just mud". If you can really understand the nature of what you are doing, and the ordinary things you have to do shouldn't bother you. In fact they make you stronger.
I worked in the state mental hospital, where I assisted many patients who were unable to care for themselves. Getting to know them as people, you develop a real concern (I dare call it love, but I don't mean romantic love as you should know) for them. I wanted to help them, and I was impressed that the attitude of quiet service did so much for me. Me - I'm talking about my inner self, my anima. I was absolved of pride and jealousy in so many things. I felt empowered. I learned that it is ennobling to do what others need and can't do for themselves.

I understand how it is, kinda stomach-turning. Put a little vicks vap-o-rub under your nose and whatever you do, don't, don't make drama about it. That's unmanly and not cool. Just be an adult and do your job. Think that while you are polishing his rear end, you are also polishing yourself on the inside.

God bless you first of all. Why don't you ask the nurse to be there the first few times of changing him. I'm sure that they won't mind.

I don't know about Vick's, but for any smelly task, Altoids [tm] Curiously Strong Peppermints are great. Crunch up a couple of them, use your tongue to distribute the bits around your mouth, and you can't smell anything but peppermint.

And God bless you for caring for him !

Use gloves, and remember that he doesn't like it any better than you do.

Taking that kind of care of a relative is an incredibly generous thing, but lots of parts of it are going to be difficult. There's some chance you'll find an erection one day - just ignore it, it's not under voluntary control.