The chemo guilt?

1 minute read time.

This is a difficult post for me to write. Today has been one of the harder days for me. I’m two days post chemo at the start of a cycle which means all the drugs and therefore typically I’m feeling it! I’m exhausted and have mainly been reduced to sitting on the sofa today, feeling a bit nauseous and just generally like a sick person.

But I didn’t come here for the pity post, I am well aware that I am not alone in these symptoms, I am likely to feel better as the week goes on and that is not why I wrote this blog.

I’m writing today as I have this overwhelming sense of guilt today. My husband, S, has been amazing throughout this whole process, as have my boys but as anyone will tell you this thing doesn’t just affect the person with cancer it touches everyone. So today I feel guilty that yet again S has spent his Saturday sorting out the boys, doing all the housework, taking them on a lovely walk, doing all the food prep and just being everything to them. Whilst I just lay on the sofa. 

Don’t get me wrong never once has any complaint been uttered, except maybe the odd joke about keeping score for when I’ve beaten this! But I can’t help but just wish I could give him a few days off, something which in the current situation is out of my control, our parents would I’m sure love to help but clearly that’s not an option at the moment. 

My boys have also been so wonderful never questioning why I can’t come on the walk or play with them that moment. But again the guilt is forever there. I know in theory it won’t be forever but and I would of course do all this for them in a heartbeat but it feels like such an ask!

So to all you carers out there thank you, I for one simply could not fathom what this would be like without the support  of S, now I just need to think about how on Earth to make it up to him and hopefully feel a little less guilty!

As ever take care everyone x

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    having been there and done that - even tho my circumstances are different I am sure he would do anything to help at the moment and if that is how he can help you then just let him know how wonderful it is. We cant change any of it as much as we would like to and guilt adds to the stress of it all. It is very strange times for us all at the moment and getting thru one day at a time is enough. try not to be so hard on yourself and think how you would be if it was the other way round and kids can help too as much as they need different explanations they want us in the here and now not tomorrow or yesterday. Good luck and stay strong you can do this 

  • Best of luck with your chemo journey, do reach out at anytime.  Whilst you may be on your own we are all here for you.  xx