CANCER Preentation

8/12/2019 CANCER Preentation

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CANCERHOW THIS DISEASE AFFECTS

THE FAMILY

By: Jose R. Santiago

Manuel A. Lncara.


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Through the course of your loved ones

illness and after your loved ones death,

you can expect your family to change,

especially if youre caring for your loved

one at home. Changes may be big or

small, and they may be positive or not.

Some things may not change at all.

When youre thinking about how your

family is adjusting, keep this in mind,

family members are responding to two

related challenges, to your loved onesillness and dying, and to the impact that

caregiving has on the household. It can

help to know what you may expect.


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Here are some ways that your

family may respond to your lovedones illness:


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Members may have many feelings, sometimes all at

once shock, denial, anger, sadness, fear,

frustration, resentment, or even relief. They may

ask, Why us?Some family members may have

more complicated reactions that involve severe

anxiety or depression. Some may withdraw if they

feel afraid or depressed, or if they think they have

nothing to offer your loved one. Some may seem not

to react at all.They may hope for a cure even after

aggressive treatment has stopped.


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Each family member will cope with their emotions in

their own way and at their own pace. Some may

want to talk about your loved ones illness and their

feelings when others arent ready. Some may not

want to talk at all.


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Young children may become angry, clingy, or

withdrawn. They may have trouble working at

school, playing, or sleeping. They may think that

they caused your loved ones illness, and they may

fear that other family members will also become

sick and die. At different ages, children will have

different concepts about the permanence of death.

Teenage children may feel torn between their need

to become independent and their need to be with

your loved one. They may rebel or seek comfort, or

both.


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The patient and the patients spouse (or partner, or

significant other) may have difficulty expressing love

and support in the couples usual ways. Problems

that existed in the relationship before the illness

may become worse, or the couple may look past

them now.


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Whether your loved one is at home, in hospital, or in

hospice, your familys routines, roles,

responsibilities, and relationships will probably

change. Family members have to deal with new

expectations and learn to interact with each other

in new ways.


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Here are some ways that your family

may respond to caring for your loved

one:


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Family members may take on new

tasks as part of doing things that

your loved one cant do anymore, or

as part of caring for your loved one.

A member who works outside the

home may have to take on more

household duties. Another member

may have to take a job outside the

home to help support the family.


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Children and teenagers may have to

cope with tasks and situations

theyre not prepared for. Older

children may have to take care of

younger siblings. Adult children may

be challenged to care for a parent

and their children at once.


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If some family members have too

many new responsibilities or dont

feel confident about their abilities,they may feel resentful, or

overwhelmed. Members who dont

get enough self-care and support risk

BURNEDOUT.


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Depending on your situation, these family

activities may become especially challenging

Making desitions

Solving problems

setting priorities and goals

making short-term or long-term plans

assigning caregiving tasks

dividing household chores

coordinating daily activities

allowing for privacy

expressing feelingsrelating to people outside the family.


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Issues that affect the family unit may

develop or get worse, such as:

physical or mental health problems

behavioral problems

substance abuse problems

difficult relationships

financial concerns


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When it comes to deciding about a

loved ones care and treatment, for

some families its clear who will make the

decisions and what those decisions will be. For

other families, there may be many options,

conflicting opinions, and little experience in

making decisions as a family unit. Family

members may disagree about who will give

care, how, and where, and who will pay.


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Geographical distance can

complicate things. Distant family

members may feel guilty and

frustrated if they cant be near their

loved one. The members giving care

on a daily basis may feel that othersarent contributing enough.


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Many families become stronger and

closer as they work together to care

for there loved one. But some families

may not. Geographical or emotional

distance may limit contact between

family members and their loved one,

and care may be given more by professionals

than by family.


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COPING WITH CANCER RELATIVES

Coping with cancer isnt easy, but there are

things you and your family can do to adjust.

Here are some suggestions:


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Focus on your loved oneYour loved one needs your family to

be an anchor in a sea of change. If

confusion, conflict, or outright chaos

threatens, bring your familys focus

back to your mutual goal caring for

your loved one. If you need help

gaining perspective, a social worker,

counselor, or spiritual advisor can

help.


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Get practical support

Whether you need help with caregiving

tasks, household chores, childcare, or

anything else, getting practical supportis key to your familys ability to adjust.

Support can improve your loved ones

care,prevent caregiver burnout, and helpyour family make the most of the time

remaining with your loved one.


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Get emotional support

If anyone in your family is having

trouble adjusting to your loved ones

illness, to caregiving, or to changes in

family relationships, get professional

help.

Remember that your loved one may

become unable to meet the familys

emotional needs as a spouse, parent, or

sibling as before. A social worker,counselor, spiritual advisor, or support

group can help individuals or the whole

family deal with emotional and spiritual

concerns.


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Take care of yourself

Even with lots of help, caregiving can be

physically and emotionally demanding for

everyone involved.


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Communicate

Effective communication can have a

great impact on your familys ability to

cope with cancer and caregiving. Talk

openly and regularly about important

issues, such as your loved ones illness,

your feelings about your situation, and your

familys future. Make sure that you

understand each others needs and

concerns.


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Practice group efforts

If your family isnt experienced in

working together as a team, you may have

trouble making important decisions about

your loved ones care and treatment. But it

can help if you practice with smaller tasks

(like planning a family outing or choosing a

home care provider) before you face bigger

issues (like making treatment decisions if

your loved one becomes incapable, or

making final arrangements.)


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Take off your labels

Sometimes families fix members in

prescribed roles the practical one,

the emotional one, the smart one,the rebel. If you can move beyond

the limits of old labels, then you may

discover new abilities, strengths, and

ways to cope.


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Be informed

Learn more about your loved onesillness and how to give care.

These sections in particular can help:

Nutrition

Practical Help for Basic Care

Keeping Organized

Planning Ahead


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Be there for your loved one

Your loved one may never talkabout cancer or dying, but makesure your loved one knows yourethere if youre needed. Say, Im

here when youre ready to talk,orsimply, Im here.If your lovedone does open up, dont worry toomuch about saying or doing theright thing. Just be yourself. Justlisten. If you cant give your lovedone emotional support, findsomeone who can a friend,counselor, spiritual advisor, or

support group.


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Be there for your kids

If there are children in your family, they need

extra comfort and reassurance, especially if its their

parent who is ill. Tell kids whats going on, encourage

their questions, and give honest answers. Make sure

they understand that they didnt cause your lovedones illness. Keep kids involved with your loved one

it helps everyone feel less isolated and more cared

for. Try to stick to the regular routine for school,

playtime, meals, chores, and bedtime. Balance

teenagersneed for independence with the familys

need for involvement. Tell your kidsteachers about

your situation. Ask other relatives, friends, and

neighbors to help care for your kids and keep them

company.


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Be flexible

Expect your loved one and your family

to have good days and bad days. Try to

have back-up plans and supports available.

When family routines and rituals getdisrupted, be creative about how to

accommodate your familys needs. If you

cant cook your traditional family supper

every Sunday, can you go out for brunchinstead? If the family cant get out for

movie night, would renting a video work?


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Set boundaries

Your loved one may behave in ways

that make it difficult for your family to

cope, like becoming demanding or

manipulative, or withdrawing from young

children who need love and comfort. While

you may understand your loved ones

reactions, your family still deserves

respect. If your loved ones behavior

becomes unreasonable, consider having a

family meeting with your loved one. Talkopenly about challenges you share and

develop solutions. If that doesnt help, get

support from a social worker or counselor.


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Enjoy family time

Regular family gatherings can meet

practical and emotional needs. You can talkabout challenges and achievements, give

each other support, and simply be

together. If your family has a regular

spiritual practice, try to stick to your

routine, but be flexible if you need to.


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Keep the love alive

If its your spouse (or partner, or

significant other) who is ill, physical or

emotional changes may affect the usualways you express love and affection. But

communication and creativity can help

you adjust. Challenge yourselves to find

new paths to intimacy.


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In Conclusion:

The call for a strategic approach, for coordination,

collaboration and cooperation, serves as a catalyst for

developing and implementing a professional and family

strategy for cancer patient. This will ensure that the collectiveresources, expertise, knowledge and skills are strategically

developed and applied to maximum advantage, to lessen the

burden of cancer on each and every affected person.

Thanks and be Blessed


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Bibliography:

American Cancer Society,

www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute,

www.nci.nih.gov
http://www.cancer.org/http://www.nci.nih.gov/http://www.nci.nih.gov/http://www.cancer.org/

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