I’m really finding this hard! My husband was formally diagnosed with SCLC two weeks ago. Was due to start chemo and immunotherapy last week but ended up calling an ambulance on Tuesday morning and he was admitted to ICU with severe pneumonia and septic shock.He improved and has moved to another ward but yesterday became distressed with chest pain. My heart went into panic, I had to leave and go to my parents as my heart was racing and couldn’t calm it down. It took an hour and a half.
this is the second time going through this as I lost my first husband to cancer when I was 34, I’m now 45. My son was only a year old then and now 12. He’s been incredible but said to me he understands why I struggle and that I probably have PTSD after his Dad and my Mum also having an awful time after a failed stent op in November.
I don’t know how to be strong for my husband. I can’t even go into the hospital now without my heart racing, sweating and getting clammy. I have diazepam from the doctor but it’s not helping and I’m already on 20mg citalopram. Please let me know if you can think of anything else to help. At the moment it’s only my amazing son and MIL who visit every day. I had to take a day off today as was so scared of the racing heart again.
i know this sounds selfish and my husband is the one going through it and the rest of the family are managing but i really need to find a way to help myself to be able to support my husband.
Hi MrsVH and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis and the challenges you are having.
A cancer diagnosis like this in the family can be such a challenging and stressful time but getting support from others who are dealing with the ‘exact same' cancer type or support challenges will help you a lot……. I have a completely different type of cancer and treatment journey and have no first hand experience of the journey you are on.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend you look to join and post in our…….
……. support group.
This group is a safe place to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from family members who are navigating the same support journey.
As for the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your husband and indeed yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our……
……. support group where you will connect with a wide range of members navigating the exact same support challenges.
To connect with a group click on the “Bold Italic Links” I have created above …… then once the group page opens click in the [Black - Click to Join - Banner] that appears at the bottom of the page and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
It is an emotional time supporting family so you might find this Macmillan information your feelings when someone has cancer helpful as well as this link getting help with your emotions.
The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
((Hugs))
