By Janie McQueen — 2020
Hiring outside help can bring respite for everyone’s benefit.
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CLEAR ALL
Information and conversation are key to facing the challenges of care
For the first time in forever, Nathan Adrian truly has no idea if he’ll have a strong swim Friday. And at this point, it doesn’t really matter to the five-time Olympic gold medalist. He’s simply elated to be back.
‘Skin cancer worked its way into my lymph nodes. I was devastated.’
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Accepting help from others when you have a cancer diagnosis isn’t a sign of weakness.
A cancer diagnosis brings a wealth of psychological challenges. In fact, adults living with cancer have a six-time higher risk for psychological disability than those not living with cancer.
While some may say cancer does not discriminate, certain demographic groups bear a disproportionate burden as it relates to incidence, prevalence, mortality, survivorship, outcomes, and other cancer-related measures.
Becoming a cancer caregiver will change your life in many ways, and your loss could be profound. Learning how to cope with the grieving process will help.
We each have the power within ourselves to make this diagnosis seem like a gift. Use it to weed out the toxic relationships and reinforce the positive support squad you deserve.
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You not calling, as a friend, can actually compound the grief and loss they are feeling. Just pick up the phone, even if you get it wrong, just have a conversation and do your best. Your friend with cancer is still the same person they were before.
A common sentiment among cancer survivors is that having cancer really tells you who your friends are.