Caring for a loved one with cancer presents challenges. The experience can test your faith and character, and it can reveal the light and dark areas in all of us.
At the same time, it can feel like an honor to take care of our loved ones in their time of need. Caregivers often cherish the tender moments with the one in the middle of the stress and challenges of their loved one.
There ?? s tempting to do all alone caregiving tasks. But it just isn ?? t ideal or healthy for one person can do all the housework, meal planning, financial management and the provision of full-time care.
Sometimes caregivers face obstacles that get in the way of getting the support they need. These barriers can be personal, such as overcoming guilt, or external, such as face financial challenges.
With encouragement, caregivers can overcome these obstacles to get the support they and their loved one need to live well throughout the cancer experience
maintaining control :. ?? I want to do all.??
cancer raises many unknowns and things can we ?? t control. For example, people can ?? t change the fact that their loved one has been exposed to asbestos, they can not control how quickly mesothelioma progresses.
In an attempt to feel some degree of effect in their lives, caregivers can cope by focusing on things they can control. Caregivers may fear losing control of their homes or relationships and may try to take as much as possible to feel in control of many aspects of life.
However, this method of adaptation can lead to burnout. Avoid burnout help caregivers appear their best themselves for their loved one. Allow outside help with housework, shopping and meal planning provides caregivers relief from stress and extra time for themselves
Delivery Support :. ?? I do not ?? t want others.??[1945006burden]
Accept help from others isn ?? t easy for everyone. Some people have a strong sense of independence and often cringe at the idea of helping other responsibilities.
For some it ?? s a weakness of stigma associated with receiving help. They believe accepting the help of others means they aren ?? t strong enough to handle life or may have weak character.
Overcoming personal beliefs like this takes courage and determination. In reality, people become better caregivers when they receive a lot of support from family, friends and community. It takes courage to ask for help, but the reward is reduced stress and improved quality of life
Guilt :. ?? I should be able to do all.??
Many caregivers worry that taking a break compromises the health of their loved ??.
put your loved one ?? s care in the hands of another can bring a lot of guilt. Many caregivers worry about the quality of care their love will often imagine the worst will happen.
Such anxiety is normal and is called catastrophizing. When we catastrophize, we look to the future and think about all the things that could go wrong, and we are building a reality around these thoughts and really start to believe the worst will happen.
But there are measures that will help prevent your worries to occur, such as taking the time to find a health care professional that you trust and training on how you like things
financial challenges :. ?? I can ?? t afford it. ??
providing quality health care services that give caregivers a break is a challenge for many families. Appointments The cost of cancer care is expensive, and the bills can add up quickly.
The treatments like chemotherapy can cost thousands of dollars and monitoring become more expensive when imaging tests are needed. Granting professional care above the regular care of cancer isn ?? t easy.
Fortunately, the forms of financial aid are available for people with cancer, such as travel grants to social security of persons with disabilities, Medicare and Medicaid. Many states cover the cost of respite care, allowing caregivers a break by placing the patient in a skilled facility that meets their health care needs.
mesothelioma patients can also apply for financial compensation through asbestos trust fund or file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product asbestos that caused their cancer. Applying different types of funding can help families provide health care services such as home care, giving caregivers a break to relax and take care of themselves.
Some people like frugality and are reluctant to spend money services to caregivers, even when they know they ?? of advantage. Frugal overcome this tendency could offer a huge stress relief for caregivers.
Questions and answers online support group in October 2015
Patients and caregivers have asked a number of questions during the latest online support group. Here, we include answers to some of them
Q:.? normal is severe fatigue after radiotherapy
A: Yes, it is normal to experience various levels of fatigue ranging from mild to serious after a radiation therapy (RT). Fatigue can sneak up on patients as they progress through their RT treatment plan. They may feel tired at first and wind up feeling extremely tired at the end of treatment.
Fatigue isn ?? t just feel tired or sleepy, it can also make people feel weak and as if they have no energy. Patients may want to sleep more often than normal and may want to rest all day. Keep in mind that fatigue can persist for months after radiation is complete.
Tips for managing fatigue related to cancer were divided into online support group in May 2015.
