When someone is seriously ill with a blood cancer, naturally the focus is on the patient, their treatment, health and long-term prognosis.
However, if you are the one caring for your partner, relative or friend, you may still be trying to come to terms with the diagnosis of their disease and what it means for your relationship.
While you are busy trying to plan how best to look after them and make them comfortable, you may also be battling fears that you won’t have the physical or emotional strength to cope. You may also find it difficult to get the practical support you need.
Everyone’s situation is different, and everyone has different ways of coping. Some people find they need to talk through their feelings and fears before they can begin to make plans and take decisions on practical matters. Others manage better by beginning with the practical things.
While a person is coming to terms with their own reactions to the prognosis, you, as the carer, will also be experiencing a whole range of emotions, and may even be feeling guilty over some of them. However, feelings such as anger, loneliness, depression and frustration are very natural in this situation.
If there are any issues you would like to talk over, you are welcome to contact our Support Services Coordinators. LBC also runs a closed Facebook group for carers, friends and family of blood cancer patients in New Zealand.