I realized how hard it was for me to hide my emotions when caring and supporting someone especially a loved one with breast cancer or any cancer. Working in health care for most of my career my job as a healthcare professional I found it difficult to separate my feelings toward my patients and often times went home crying after I lost a patient or after drawing their blood keeping a poker face until I left the patients room then balling my eyes out because they told me how scared they were or how they missed being home with their family. There isn’t anything I feel I haven’t heard in my 25+ years of experience but what I can tell you is that none of those years prepared me for a close family members illness. I thought for sure I would be able to be strong, not be sad, put up a good front but when your raw emotions take over you allow it to happen, at least I did. The memories I have of the intimate times I have shared with them before their departure will always remain reminiscent to the close relationship I had with them and I cherish those memories. So how do we remain strong, have patience, support our loved ones when they are fighting for their lives?
Below is an amazing article I hope to guide you through your experience. I’ve also attached some more videos to raise awareness! Thank you Cancer Research UK for this FANTASTIC advice!
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/family-friends-caregivers/how-support-someone-with-cancer
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