Hi
I am new to this and arrive feeling a whole roller coaster of emotions at the moment in many ways. Slightly at sea I suppose amongst that. I'd like to understand how others are coping, not only with this terrible illness and its consequences, but also with the added distress of Covid 19, and what that means. Both my parents are in the middle of treatment. My father with kidney cancer for four years, which is pretty much everywhere, but being contained with tablets. He is stable but getting more tired. Hes very capable and able person so its difficult to see him feel so helpless with my mum.
My mother has stage 4 advanced lung cancer and started her second chemotherapy today. Its really difficult for her, my father and myself. As we live in separate households, and I want to be there for them a bit more than is sensible at the moment. I am very careful, as we have been since this virus started. I do go and see them and talk with them from outside, with a mask on. This just feels awful to have to do this, and I know its for their best interest. Particularly as they've now been advised to not go out at all. Not even for a walk (they live in a green area). So i am feeling for them, and its tough for me, feeling helpless, plus living alone, to watch this happening. I wondered how other people are finding supporting their loved ones during this time?
Graham
hi
Feeling helpless when a family member has cancer is really very common even without covid-19. I hear a lot of people who have managed to use technology, especially video conferencing to try to restore some sense of contact with others thought the phone can work to.
It is perhaps sensible to note that your parents cancers are quite different and it can sometimes be hard to compare notes and think this worked for me. Containment I can relate to as my wife's cancer has been stable now for over 6 years.
I wonder if if might help you (and possibly your father too?) to look at our guide Looking after someone with cancer I am sure there will be things in there you will relate to.
<<hugs>>
Steve
