Hi
My sister has been diagnosed with cancer in 5th March and has just had first chemo session. We have had wigs and scarves delivered and I have tried to help her cope with this. As a family we have never had to deal with cancer so closely so we are unsure of what to expect and what ways can we help and support her. It's hard to understand why this is happening but my aim is to stay strong and positive throughout her journey. Has anyone any suggestions that could help me support her, her daughters and what actions we can take to keep her positive? It's only week 1 but already I have noticed change in her personality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi
Sorry to hear about your sister any diagnosis of cancer is a challenge not just to the patient but often to friends and family too. Often people say "they are coping so well by I am breaking up" . If we look at Looking after someone with cancer we often recognize many issues we all share being in a caring role we never expected and the importance of spending sometime looking after ourselves too.
A really great resource too is Talking with someone who has cancer - well done for sharing here though.
When my wife was on chemo things were quite rough for her at times, she was not worried about losing her hair but the sickness was a challenge - the result though has been fantastic, her cancer became stable and has remained that way for 6 years (she has Leiomyosarcoma - incurable but we will live with stable!).
You talk of daughters - if they are of a certain age it might also be worth looking at Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer
<<hugs>>
Steve
