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Paitent Honesty

Mattb
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A very close member of our family has been given the worst case scenario diagnosis for cancer, the family member is not talking to us about anything and is in complete Denial , while he is a very strong willed individual he cannot do this on his own, he has three children that all live with him and yet is carrying on like he's going back to work, yet we know different.

All he has ever wanted to is protect and provide but his denial and not talking about it having a detrimental effect on the family, I cant begin to imagine how he feels, but there will be no money coming in soon so his family will be left homeless unless he starts having conversations, he has known this diagnosis now for over 2 years..

How can I start to help the family with this and all the decisions that need to be made we all just feel helpless and lost.

  • Hello  

     

    Thank you for getting in touch with us. I can see that this might be a challenging situation for all concerned, and perhaps upsetting and frustrating to see that he will not address the situation in front of him. It isn’t unusual to hear that someone is in denial following a diagnosis. Even though the diagnosis itself is a couple of years old, it could be that he is subconsciously using denial as a way of coping with this. It is quite a natural thing to happen. I can appreciate that this can lead to others feeling helpless particularly if situations like financial problems are not being addressed. We are here to help support not just him but other family members too.

    You’d also be welcome to get in touch with our freephone support line 0808 808 00 00 or our online webchat service. Both are open 8am – 8pm seven days a week. In addition to providing emotional support and a space where you can talk things through, we also have a money and work service. That service might be able to look at any financial support and financial guidance for the family. You can speak to that service on his behalf if he is reluctant to.

    Please do stay in touch with us about this, we will look to support you Mattb.

    David, Information and Support Adviser

    Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email.

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