November is National Caregiver Month: Caregiving Tips for Prostate Cancer
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“Your loved one has prostate cancer.” Those words can forever change a caregiver’s life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may be struggling to find the right words to comfort him and the best way to support him. You may likewise worry about how your loved one’s cancer will affect your life. In addition to affecting how you feel, it may also change your relationship with him as your plans and priorities change. Many caregivers struggle to understand their role. Many questions arise immediately. Doubts and even confusion start creeping in. This is all normal.
Being a caregiver can have its challenges. It can feel lonely after your loved one is given a cancer diagnosis. At first, you may wonder how you’ll cope. Caregivers need support to increase the chances of having an effective and healthy caregiving experience. You can find strength in sharing thoughts and feelings with others who understand what you’re going through. Below are some infographics highlighting tips that will help on your caregiving journey.
As men begin their prostate cancer journey, caregivers have a journey of their own. They too will need support and meeting their needs becomes a parallel legitimate goal.
Go to doctor appointments. Take notes. Research shows that people coping with cancer may not hear everything and miss important information about their care.
If asked, help explore treatment options.
All prostate cancer treatments have side effects; it is important to discuss with your loved one how you’ll be involved in supporting him.
Take time to do what nurtures you. Take a walk, talk to friends, read and play music — you are important, and your well-being matters as well.
If your loved one is overwhelmed, talk to him and his doctor about counseling or outside help.
Remember that both of you will experience a wide range of emotions. Do not suppress these feelings, talk about them together and know that they are normal.
Many Caregivers find outside support is very beneficial. These groups provide a safe haven where you can share your concerns and learn from others who are going through a similar situation. It can also help with providing an outlet for open communication and emotional support for both patient and caregiver.
The next and most important level of support comes from building a network you can reach out to when you are in need of support. However, it can be overwhelming to navigate your way through finding these resources and/or support groups that works for you, and/or your loved one. The Caregiver Guide contains information to help ease the caregiving process as well as to aid in building a strong network of people who are going through a similar experiences.
Remember, while embarking on this journey be kind to yourself. Sometimes, you may feel you could have done something differently or better. Don’t dwell on that; instead, focus on all the positive things you are doing for yourself and your loved one.
Knowledge is power and feeling empowered is the first step to gaining balance in any situation. The team at the International Prostate Cancer Foundation has worked hard to create a comprehensive guide on caregiving for a prostate cancer diagnosis. To view the article click here. There are literally millions of cancer-related webpages, blogs, and videos available at your fingertips. A cancer diagnosis can be disorienting, and for many, the overwhelming volume of information available can be more of a burden than an aid. And from the caregiver’s perspective, understanding how to lend support to a man on this journey can be difficult.
You can download this guide and many other prostate cancer resources by clicking here!
The International Prostate Cancer Foundation site, www.fightingprostatecancer.org offers a complete overview of information about the prostate, prostate cancer, and its treatment, and educational materials. Visit the Education Center or the Resources Center to educate yourself on the prostate cancer journey. Learning about the disease is the first level of support for caregiving.