What to do?

Less than one minute read time.

Just back from the local hospice with my husband. He has non-small cell lung cancer with spread to lymph nodes, bone and kidney. He goes to the Hospice for acupuncture to help with the pain. Things don't look to good really, problem is he is in denial. I'd like to get involved with the local carers group but he is adamant that I should not. Also, I feel the children need some professional input to help them come to terms with things but when I suggested this, he flew into a rage (one of many). He's so angry at everyone and everything. The hospice have suggested a kids group, but if he is so dead against it what do i do? I feel I am managing okay but the anger is hard to deal with. It is not my fault, but he wishes it was me. (He has said this). His cancer is progressing and he is obviously very scared, but I cannot seem to do anything to help him. Everything I say is wrong. I'm sure in the future, when I look back, I will wish I had done things differently, but at the moment I can't see the woods for the trees.

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi-so sorry you are going thru all of this. Unfortunately having an illness does not turn any of us into saints but sometimes make our worst faults even more exaggerated. I have just lost my daughter who managed her emotions very well and even at the end was having a joke-I am now the cross one and would like to kick a few buts!! If your husband wont accept any help perhaps you could have some? My daughter's hospice offered all sorts of emotional support for us as a family-maybe your husband's hospice offers something like that?

    Don't beat yourself up about what you could  do differently-we all do our best and this illness does not come with a manual on how to care or cope with the difficult patient.

    Hope things ease for you.

    Faraway

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I think this is very much a 'man' thing - they hate weakness of any description - whereas we girls like to talk about things.  I have leukaemia and me and himself have had many discussions and he freely admits he could not cope.  I did go through a very angry phase and told him that I wished it was him and at that time I did! - Maybe I still do - human nature and all that!

    Take all the help you can get - go to your nearest Maggie's centre - they are excellent at helping the spouse or carer.  Do not feel guilty = none of this is your fault.

    Christine x