Cancer Sucks ! Everyone's experience of it is unique

In this BLOG I outline what the impact of a cancer diagnosis might feel like from a patient's and Carer's perspective.

The patient

Cancer can turn your world upside down in a flash. It maybe that you hear you have cancer following a screening, or perhaps you are presenting with symptoms which have taken you to get checked out. It won’t matter what leads you to the words “you have cancer” it will still be a lot to absorb.

Having a diagnosis of cancer can be a lot to take in, there will be so many emotions around to manage, and of course it will not be only your emotions that you will be trying to manage.

The priority can be on the physical side, treatment and it might be that there is waiting for test results that can feel like an entity to receive the results of. It can feel like a waiting game, but also a bit of a race.

Everyone has their own unique experience of cancer, and it is likely to throw up a while host of emotions.

It might be that you were ticking along in life, feeling ok and not you find yourself suddenly thrown into juggling life, family and medical appointments. This will draw on resilience and likely to feel overwhelming at times.

Whilst those around you might be offering advice, positive thoughts and help, it can still feel lonely.

It might start with shock and denial; it could be that you feel angry and sad. Once acceptance starts to sink in it is possible that it could be strength, and resilience is drawn on to get through the treatment.

Once physical treatment has ended or is being managed it could be that fear might kick in. What might be next, has it spread, will it return, or how can I live alongside having cancer treatment.

The uniqueness of needs means you should be treated as an individual. It is important that you are seen beyond your diagnosis, by others as well as yourself.

It is important that you can share your story, the feelings, the frustrations and worries. Allowing hope and bringing meaning from it to be able to move forward.

Remember to reach out support where you can, although it can feel like a lonely journey being able to have someone alongside you can make a difference.

The carer

Cancer can turn your world upside down in a flash. Hearing a diagnosis of cancer of a loved one can be a lot to take in, there will be so many emotions around to manage.

The priority is on the patient, for them to receive the best care to treat the cancer. There can be a lot of waiting and appointments to go along to, try to absorb the information and what this means. It can feel like a waiting game, but also a bit of a race.

It might be that you were ticking along in life, feeling ok and now you find yourself suddenly thrown into juggling life, family and medical appointments. This will draw on resilience and likely to feel overwhelming at times.

You are likely to be scared yourself worried about losing your loved one, panic of what this means, are they going to get through this, how far has it spread and how can I best support them. With the focus on the patient, it might feel lonely, that you can’t share how you are really feeling about it, after all you are not the ill one.

A diagnosis is likely to be a shock even if you were anticipating it. Trying to navigate how to support your loved one, often having to draw on a lot of strength and resilience to get through can be exhausting and not leave much in the tank.

Often overlooked carers can find that they are left anxious, low and lonely with their feelings. They are often exhausted and neglect their own needs.

It is important as a carer that you can share your story, the feelings, the frustrations and worries. Allowing hope and bringing meaning from it to be able to move forward.

Remember to reach out for support where you can, you need people around you too, although it can feel like a lonely journey being able to have someone alongside you can make a difference.

I am choosing to write about this to try to help recognise that cancer not only sucks but it also throws quite the curveball into life and how to start to start to recognise, accept and navigate the emotions that might be thrown up. My next BLOG will focus on how to navigate the diagnosis and what might be helpful.

#UnitedbyUnique #WorldCancerDay #Caringforthosewithcancer #Supportingcarers