Introduction
It is one of the most challenging times when your loved one is diagnosed with cancer. The fight against a life-threatening illness isn’t easy. Overcoming this daunting situation requires tremendous support from every possible person involved. Be it the doctors, healthcare support providers, caregivers, family, friends, or a patient’s life partner.
It would help if you always kept in mind that you are not alone; many families are dealing with cancer worldwide. The disease is curable with technological advancement, and many cancer survivors are leading happy lives. The best thing you can do is learn as much as possible about the disease and ways to manage the stress effectively.
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What is Your Partner’s Situation?
Cancer treatment takes time, and both the patients and the caregivers go through various stages. You may have just learned about the disease, managed chemotherapy sessions, or perhaps are unclear about the condition. Irrespective of the situation, you need to be honest with yourself and your partner. Discuss every aspect with them; it can be uplifting things like the success rate of treatment or the vulnerability of feeling helpless.
You may have to take care of many things, such as choosing the best treatment options, financial decisions, handling daily life, breaking the news to friends and family, telling the children what’s going on. However, such a situation can make your relationship more vital than ever if you take this up as an opportunity to stand with your partner in the harshest possible time. Depending on your partner’s condition, you need to figure out what support you can provide and what help you seek from your family and friends.
Looking for services related to this subject? Get in touch with these experts today!!
Experts
Deepti Gandhi
India
Life Coach
Experience: 6 years
Ritu Singh
India
Life Coach
Experience: 16 years
Banani Das Dhar
India
Wellness Expert
Experience: 7 years
What Support Can You Provide?
You can help your partners in many ways. It can be financial assistance, treatment logistics, and most importantly, the emotional support they need in this critical situation.
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Communication is key
Try to discuss every important aspect of treatment, the future, current challenges, positive things, fears. Honest two-way communication is a must; it effectively helps deal with the situation.
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Be there for your partner.
There will be times when you don’t need to do or say anything. Just by listening to them, you can help them vent their anger and frustration.
3. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
You can only support your partner if you are healthy – both physically and mentally. Hence, you must take time for yourself and prioritise self-care.
4. Don’t judge your partner’s and your behaviour.
Both of you are going through a massive crisis, and it is customary to behave irrationally.
How do You feel About the Situation?
Long-term illnesses like cancer can take a toll on patients and their caregiving partners. On one side, the patient feels guilty of being dependent on you or blames themselves for the crisis on the other side.
You might feel bad and guilty for not helping out your partner enough or not improving the situation. However, it would be best to remember that no one is at fault. The disease can happen to anyone. The best thing you can do is stay optimistic and provide the best possible support to your partner.
It’s okay to feel stressed at times. However, it would be best not to let the stress linger on for too long. It is best to seek help by talking to your friends and family and sharing your feelings. If you cannot cope with mental stress, you should consult mental health professionals.
What is Your Plan for the Future?
While dealing with a life-threatening illness that requires long-term care, we often stop thinking about the future. The best way to stay motivated and encourage your partner is by talking about the future. What is your plan once the long sessions of cancer treatment are over?
Returning to regular life may not be simple as the crisis causes much wear and tear in our lives. If you have kids, the situation becomes even more difficult. You must make a point to provide the assurance and share what the future holds for them. The more realistic, open, and loving you are, the better it will be for everyone.
Your family can accept the eventualities, move towards everyday life, and deal with potential losses. Hence, it is imperative to plan for the future, even when things aren’t looking too good. It will give your hope and strength to fight the battle.
How Can We Help Right Now?
If your partner’s treatment is in limbo, and you are not sure if your partner will be able to make it through the crisis. It’s understandable and okay to be stressed, anxious, and depressed. There are so many things that might be bothering you. What if the cancer is genetic and passed on to your children like your future? Or, how will you be able to manage things on your own?
Unitedwecare provides expert therapists online who help you deal with your situation better. You can easily find mental health specialists and expert therapists, including anxiety therapists, couple counsellors, PTSD counsellors, and depression therapists.
There are various screening and self-help tools available that guide you to improve your mental health and seek the proper guidance. Please do not feel overwhelmed, and let us know how we can help you and your family right now.
To Wrap Things Up!
There are five emotional stages of dealing with a cancer diagnosis for both patients and their loved ones – denial, anger, self-blame, depression, and acceptance. If any dear ones are going through these stages, their mental health treatment becomes as important as the cancer treatment simultaneously.
It is okay to feel down, angry, anxious, worried, or depressed. However, it would help if you did not let these feelings take control of you and stop you from giving the best support your partner and your family need. Feel free to book an online counselling session with an expert therapist.
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