A Space for Mucosal Melanoma Caregivers
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Caregivers are hidden victims
There is certainly a new awareness in our communities about caregivers. Recently there was an advertisement on the internet promoting greeting cards to send to caregivers and the front of one card read: “Caregivers are often the casualties, the hidden victims. No one sees the sacrifices they make.” Much like other social issues that have come to
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Caregiver Stress Syndrome
by Ron Ingber, JD What is Caregiver Stress Syndrome? Caregiver stress syndrome is a condition characterized by physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. It typically results from a person neglecting their own physical and emotional health because they are focused on caring for an ill, injured or disabled loved one. There are a number of factors that
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How caregiving can lead to PTSD
PTSD doesn’t just happen to people who have experienced a major life-threatening event. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can occur after any traumatic event or experience. It may surprise you to discover that providing care for a loved one is one of the main causes of PTSD. Yet, the condition often goes undetected, and thus untreated, as
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Accepting the Ambivalence of Caregiving
One of the common challenges that caregivers face is learning to accept the ambivalent or contradictory feelings of caregiving. Ambivalence can look like feeling both a deep love and resentment towards the person you care for. Ambivalence can also look like finding joy in caregiving while also grieving your life before becoming a caregiver. In
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Again?
First, here’s the update on my health. I finished radiation 4 days ago. I think physically I’m doing well. Skin is a bit raw but healing. Radiation is not fun. It was harder than I anticipated. Techs could be bitchy at times. Other times they couldn’t have been nicer. Emotionally it was draining. Never knowing
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Getting away.
I needed a break so I checked into a hotel for 3 nights. The final day is a caregivers retreat so I felt somewhat justified. I thought getting away from the constant worry and drama would settle me. It hasn’t. All the angst has come with me. I have managed to do some things just
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My cancer journey
Mid March I had a lumpectomy. That was ok. Not really a big deal. I’m still recovering but it’s all good. Radiation is put off for a few months which I’m ok with. The problem was the skin cancer on my back. While doing the breast surgery the surgeon so fixed up the margins where
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the beat goes on
Here’s the update. I have 2 different types of breast cancer. It’s very early stages so a few stitches and a bit of radiation and I’ll be done. I’m not scared but it is an inconvenience. So many tests and appointments. But I can get through that. Secondly, I have skin cancer. Not melanoma but
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Coping with Uncertainty in Cancer Treatment
Wow how life has changed! I am now the patient with a diagnosis of 2types of breast cancer and skin cancer. All at the same time! The breast cancer is early stages but will require lumpectomy and radiation. The ugly growth on my back isn’t diagnosed until biopsy comes back. Doc said it was definitely
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what happens when the caregiver becomes the patient?
We’re dealing with rapidly aging parents which is taking a toll on what little energy we have left. it appears I might have breast cancer. So far there’s a 75% chance according to the tests I’ve had done so far. Core biopsy on dec 9. I’m nervous. Trying so hard to be ok but I
Rainbows and Black Unicorns 